Chocolate & Christmas: MasterChef India Contestant Avinash Patnaik’s Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

Chocolate is often hailed as the food of Gods and quite rightly so. Be it any occasion or moment, a bar of chocolate just makes it even more special, doesn’t it? There’s something to chocolate that can only be felt when had. Some call it pure decadence, while some call it bliss. Chocolate’s versatility as an ingredient makes it all the more popular today among chefs and food connoisseurs.

With the ongoing festive season, chocolate recipes galore. From puddings to cakes and hot chocolates to fondues, it’s time to savour some of the innovative chocolate dishes prepared by chefs and bakers round the world.

As part of our series on Christmas special chocolate recipes, we spoke to MasterChef India contestant and food researcher Avinash Patnaik.

Chocolate and orange together is often considered a harmonious pair , Chocolate with its velvety richness and deep complex flavours, forms a perfect counterpoint to the bright and citrusy notes of orange. The bitterness of chocolate, in particular, finds balance in the vibrant sweetness of ripe oranges creating a symphony of flavours. From chocolate orange cake with your afternoon tea, to your wintry evening’s hot cup of chocolate orange mocha — these two ingredients join forces in creating a wide spectrum of delectable desserts and drinks.

1. Which dessert defines Christmas for you and why?

“If I need to define my Christmas then it has to be a cake. As a student of agriculture and horticulture, I always love fruits. So any kind of a fruit cake, specifically orange zest chocolate cake is one of my favourites, during the winter season. During that time, oranges are anyway readily available hence I like to use them in making orange cake recipe.”

2. What are some of the best Christmas desserts you have had and what makes them special?

“Christmas is incomplete without cake and pastries. So, if I have to pick something out of that, it would be any kind of a fruit cake like lime cake, pineapple upside-down cake which make the festival even more meaningful.”

3. How important is the role of chocolate in Christmas?

“When it comes to chocolate and Christmas, I would say that for me the festival is always connected or interlinked with something sweet. And, chocolate reminds me of the days when I used to go to church (during Christmas celebrations) and Santa Claus would come and throw chocolates and candies around us, and we would rush to go and pick them up.”

4. What are different ways we can use chocolate in Christmas?

“Chocolates can be used in different ways while making cookies and other quick snacks. We can top cookies with chocolate ganache which elevate their taste. We can also dip fruits in chocolate ganache and make them super yummy.”

6. Is there a signature recipe of yours that you think celebrates Christmas and chocolate in the best possible way?Would you like to share it with us?

I would say the muffins that I make during Christmas have a lot of chocolate and chocolate chips in it. It gives the real Christmas feels. However, I would like to share the recipe of the chocolate orange cake recipe which is yet another Christmas speciality of mine.

Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 150 gms all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 250 ml groundnut oil
• 120 ml condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons Cadbury cocoa powder
• 120 ml cup milk
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• 4 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Method

1. In a mixing bowl take the all purpose flour, and add baking powder, Cadbury cocoa powder and a pinch of baking soda. Mix all of it well.
2. Then add groundnut oil and mix it well. To this add condensed milk along with milk to make a semi-thick consistency of cake batter. More condensed milk or honey can be added if you like it sweeter.
3. Add orange zest and orange juice to the batter. Finally add vanilla essence to it and give it a good mix.
4. Grease the cake tin with butter and pour the cake batter into the tin. Bake it at 180-200 degrees Celsius for around 45 mins. Allow it to cool down then cut into pieces and enjoy with your morning or evening tea.