Chocolate Triple Sec Cake

I needed a cake recipe that would match an orange themed party.  My mother-in-law and I had a brainstorming session.  Orange cake?… no… chocolate cake?…yes… orange marmalade?… no… Triple Sec? …oh yes!... apricot jam?... it’s worth a try.  We threw around lots of ideas.  We decided that orange marmalade is too bitter, even if we added sugar it still has all the rinds in it, which we didn’t want.  Triple Sec sounded good, nice orange flavor and who doesn’t like alcohol.  Apricot jam would match the color scheme and was a mild flavor so a good choice.

We baked an ordinary chocolate cake.  Let it cool, split it with a wire cutter.  I brushed straight Triple Sec onto one layer of the cake.  I mixed about half a jar of all natural apricot jelly with about 1/8 tsp of orange extract then spread it on top of the Triple Sec.  I added a layer of buttercream then put the second layer on.  I iced the whole cake in the buttercream and then added orange colored chocolate candies to the outside for decoration. 

I was really surprised at how good it was.  I thought it would be ok, but it was awesome!  A very different, bright, fresh taste.  Not something you have most likely had before. 

Chocolate Triple Sec Cake

From the Kitchen of: Rebecca Molinari

Ingredients

• 2 layers Chocolate Cake

·         2 Tbsp Triple Sec

• ½  jar Apricot Preserves
• 1/8 tsp Orange Extract
• Buttercream Icing
• Orange colored Chocolate Candies

Directions

1) Make cake.  2) When cake is completely cool brush Triple Sec onto one layer.  3) Mix Apricot Preserves with Orange Extract. 4) Spread preserves over Triple Sec.  5) Spread layer of buttercream over raspberries.  6) Place second layer of cake and frost. 7) If desired, decorate with orange colored chocolate candies.

As requested:

Buttercream Icing

Ingredients

• 1 cup Butter, softened
• 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp Almond Extract (optional)
• 4 ½ cups Confectioner’s Sugar
• 4 tbsp Milk

Directions

1) Cream butter with mixer.  2) Add vanilla and almond extract.  3) Gradually add sugar, 1 cup at a time.  4) Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.