Low Sodium Chocolate Orange Cake

Indulge guilt-free with this Low Sodium Chocolate Orange Cake, a moist and zesty dessert that masterfully balances rich cocoa flavors with bright citrus notes. Perfect for health-conscious baking enthusiasts, this recipe replaces excessive salt with the natural vibrancy of fresh orange juice and fragrant orange zest, creating a cake that's both flavorful and low in sodium. With a tender crumb courtesy of buttermilk and optional bursts of chocolate chips, this cake is a delightful treat for everyday enjoyment or special occasions. Ready in under an hour and requiring just one bowl for the wet ingredients, this easy-to-make cake is as convenient as it is delicious. Serve it dusted with powdered sugar or topped with fresh orange slices for an elegant, finishing touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• 0.75 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 0.5 cup buttermilk
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 2 units large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.

Step 3

In another bowl, combine the granulated sugar and orange zest. Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar until fragrant. This releases the oils from the zest.

Step 4

Add the orange juice, buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Whisk until everything is well combined and smooth.

Step 5

Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until all the flour mixture is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 6

If using, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed.

Step 7

Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Optional: Decorate the cake with orange slices or dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1176.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3496.0

Total Fat 169.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 50.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.4g
Cholesterol 385.4mg	0%
Sodium 1800.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 512.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 59.1g	0%
Total Sugars 273.3g
Protein 68.0g	0%

Vitamin D 143.4IU	0%
Calcium 482.9mg	0%
Iron 34.3mg	0%
Potassium 3046.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.7%

Protein: 7.1%

Carbs: 53.2%