Flourless Chocolate Orange Cake

Asked by Old Boiler. Answered on 26th September 2015

Full question

Can I cook the oranges and then freeze the oranges or the pulp. I will be making a 3 course dinner for at least 50 people in a domestic kitchen, I plan to make 5 cakes and am trying to spread the load. Ta, Jo

Our answer

Nigella's Chocolate Orange Cake (from Feast) is a flourless chocolate cake that is made with whole oranges that are simmered in water until soft and then drained and pureed. As the simmering time is quite long, around 2 hours, it is possible to cook the orange pulp in advance. The cooled pulp can be transferred to a resealable container and then kept in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If freezing the pulp, then let it thaw overnight in the fridge. If possible let the pulp stand out of the fridge for about an hour before using, so that it loses some of its fridge-chill, as most cakes are best made with room temperature ingredients.

It is also possible to freeze the baked cake. Cool the cake completely then wrap it tightly in a double layer of clingfilm (plastic wrap) and a layer of foil. The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw the cake, unwrap it and stand it on a wire rack at room temperture for 4 to 6 hours.