Chocolate orange reindeer cake is the ultimate festive centerpiece that’s as fun to decorate as it is delicious to eat. With a rich, fudgy cocoa sponge infused with fresh orange zest and juice, this Christmas bake is full of seasonal flavor. It’s topped with smooth chocolate orange buttercream and decorated with reindeer faces made from candy and pretzels—perfect for parties, potlucks, or family fun bakes.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive & fun – Ideal for kids and holiday gatherings
- Rich chocolate-orange flavor – Classic combo that never fails
- Moist, soft sponge – Thanks to oil, milk, and fresh orange juice
- Easy buttercream – Glossy, chocolatey, and foolproof
- Cute reindeer toppers – Simple decorations that wow the crowd
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Orange Cake:
- 300g white or golden caster sugar
- 250g self-raising flour
- 50g cocoa powder
- 200ml vegetable or sunflower oil
- 100ml whole milk
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- Zest and juice of 1 large orange
For the Chocolate Orange Buttercream:
- 100g chocolate orange (chopped and melted)
- 100g salted butter (room temperature)
- 180g icing sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp boiling water
For Reindeer Decorations:
- 7 chocolate orange buttons
- 7 red Smarties
- 14 edible eyes
- 7 pretzels (halved for antlers)
Instructions
- Make the sponge:
Preheat oven to 160°C fan / 180°C conventional. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake tin. In a bowl, whisk sugar, flour, and cocoa powder. Add oil, milk, and eggs. Mix until smooth. Stir in orange zest and juice. Pour into tin and bake for 45–50 minutes until springy. Let cool in the tin for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. - Prepare the buttercream:
Melt chopped chocolate orange and let it cool. Beat butter until fluffy, then sift in icing sugar. Mix until smooth. Fold in melted chocolate. Add cocoa powder and boiling water. Beat until glossy and spreadable. - Assemble and decorate:
Spread buttercream over the top of the cooled cake. For reindeer faces, arrange chocolate buttons in a circle. Attach red Smarties as noses, edible eyes above them, and pretzel halves as antlers.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Difficulty: Easy
Nutrition Facts (Approximate per slice)
Calories: 425
Fat: 24g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 5g
Tips & Variations
- Use a 9-inch tin for the correct depth and decoration spacing
- Double the recipe for a two-layer cake (and double the buttercream)
- Avoid dry cake by not overbaking—check at 45 minutes
- Make it nut-free by using candy canes or chocolate sticks for antlers
- Decorate ahead but store in a cool place to prevent buttercream melting
FAQs
Can I use plain flour instead of self-raising?
Yes—just add 3 tsp baking powder to the plain flour.
How do I store this cake?
Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Can I make it ahead?
Bake the sponge a day ahead and store it wrapped. Decorate the day of serving for best results.
Can kids help?
Absolutely! Let them place the noses, eyes, and antlers—it’s a fun holiday activity.
Chocolate Orange Reindeer Cake
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- – 9-inch cake tin
- Electric mixer
- – Palette knife
Ingredients
- #### Cake:
- – 300g caster sugar
- – 250g self-raising flour
- – 50g cocoa powder
- – 200ml vegetable oil
- – 100ml whole milk
- – 3 eggs
- – Zest & juice of 1 orange
- #### Buttercream:
- – 100g chocolate orange melted
- – 100g salted butter
- – 180g icing sugar
- – 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- – 1 tbsp boiling water
- #### Decoration:
- – 7 chocolate buttons
- – 7 red Smarties
- – 14 edible eyes
- – 7 pretzels broken for antlers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160°C fan. Grease and line a 9-inch cake tin.
- Mix sugar, flour, cocoa. Add oil, milk, eggs. Mix until smooth. Stir in orange zest & juice.
- Pour into tin and bake 45–50 mins. Cool completely.
- For buttercream: beat butter, add icing sugar. Mix in cooled melted chocolate. Stir in cocoa & water until smooth.
- Frost the cake. Arrange buttons, Smarties, eyes, and pretzels for reindeer faces.
Notes
– Double recipe for a layer cake
– Kid-friendly holiday baking project
Conclusion
Bring a little magic to your Christmas dessert table with this chocolate orange reindeer cake. It’s festive, flavorful, and charmingly simple to make. Whether you’re baking with kids or creating a stunning edible centerpiece, this cake checks every box for a joyful holiday treat.