Grand Marnier Chocolate Orange Layer Cake

Every Christmas without fail, I dig out this delicious Grand Marnier Chocolate Orange Layer Cake recipe.

It’s indulgent, it’s boozy and it’s incredibly yummy.

Just don’t ever, EVER ask how many calories are in it, OK? 

Controversially, I’m not a fan of Christmas Pudding and I like to make this as an alternative. I’ve adapted it from this recipe, which uses candied orange peel. Personally, I prefer freshly grated.

Grand Marnier Chocolate Orange Layer Cake

Ingredients

• 1 orange
• 5 tbsp Grand Marnier
• 300g dark chocolate orange (or 2 Terry’s dark chocolate oranges)
• 85g unsalted butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 400ml double cream
• 140g rich tea finger biscuits

Method

1. Line a loaf tin with cling film, so that you can easily retrieve the dessert once it has set. Try and get it as smooth as possible.
2. Finely grate the orange peel and then juice it.
3. Add 3 generous tbsp of the Grand Marnier to the orange juice and mix.
4. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or use a bain marie
5. Whilst the chocolate is still warm add in the butter and egg yolks and beat together, then add the remaining 2 tbsp of Grand Marnier.
6. Whip the cream until it forms a soft peak and then do the same with the egg whites.
7. Gently fold 3/4 of the cream and the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.
8. Add a layer of the chocolate mixture into the base of the loaf tin roughly 1cm deep.
9. Scatter the orange peel on top and then soak the biscuits in the orange juice and arrange on top.
10. Repeat the layers until the loaf tin is full, finishing with a chocolate layer.
11. Place in the freezer to set.
12. Remove from the freezer and hour before serving. Turn out onto a plate, top with whipped cream if you really want to push the boat out. I scattered some edible sprinkles on top to make it look extra Christmassy.

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do. You could easily adapt it too, by adding your own favourite tipple. Maybe a Black forest version with kirsch, dark chocolate and cherry juice. Or perhaps a summer version with lemon, limoncello and white chocolate. Ooh I’m definitely going to try that.  

What’s your favourite christmas recipe? Let me know in the comments below.  

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