Chocolate Orange Blossom Cake

Back in the day before all the kits were available for birthday cakes there were many birthday cakes that would end up looking as special as this one. I can remember as a little girl my grandmothers and mother taking pride in their baking and showing it off by taking their little specials to parties that would be held for anything from birthdays to family reunions. I love this cake and since June 27 is a day to celebrate orange blossom cake I thought I would share it

Cake:
1 box (18.25 ounces) devil’s food cake mix
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup oil
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons orange liqueur or 1 Tbsp orange extract
1 cup mini–semisweet chocolate chips
...
Frosting:
1 pound butter, softened
16 ounces marshmallow cream (such as Marshmallow Fluff or Crème)
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup grated orange zest (from 3 to 4 oranges)
2 tablespoons orange juice
Garnish: orange slices

1. Heat oven to 350°F. You’ll need two 9 x 2-in. round cake pans coated
with nonstick spray.

2. Cake: Beat cake mix, buttermilk, oil, eggs and liqueur in a large bowl
with mixer on low speed 30 seconds or until blended. Scrape down sides
of bowl; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour
into prepared pans.

3. Bake 28 to 32 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in centers of
cakes comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes, invert
on rack, turn right side up and cool completely.

4. Frosting: Beat butter in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed
until creamy. Beat in marshmallow cream. When well blended, beat in
confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, orange zest and juice. Increase speed
to high and beat 3 to 4 minutes until fluffy (makes 5 cups).

5. Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with 1 cup frosting.
Top with remaining cake layer. Spread top and sides with remaining
frosting. Decorate with cut orange slices just before serving.

Planning Tip: Wrapped cake layers can be refrigerated up to 1 week.
Cake can be completed up to 2 days ahead. Garnish just before serving

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