I always like to have something citrus and of course something chocolate. This year, I'm combining the two with a Chocolate Bonbon Cake. It's a firm butter cake, like a pound cake, and a good-quality orange marmalade will give a tart flavor and a lovely texture. It'll remind you of chocolates with orange centers.
I used a decorative Bundt pan. The chocolate glaze hardens over the design but lets it show through. However, you can also make this cake in a sheet pan for easy buffet service. Just watch the baking time -- it'll be closer to half an hour.
Chocolate Bonbon Cake
1 c butter
3/4 c sugar
3 eggs
1 T orange liqueur or vanilla
3 1/2 c. self-rising flour
1 1/3 c fresh orange juice
1/2 c orange marmalade
zest of 2 oranges
2 oz. dark chocolate
2 T butter
1 T cream
Cream butter with sugar till fluffy. Beat in eggs and orange liqueur or vanilla. Alternately add orange juice and flour, beating well after each addition. Stir in orange marmalade and orange zest. Bake in a Bundt pan at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes, or till a cake tester shows it's done.
Melt chocolate with butter and stir in cream. Pour over cooled cake. Garnish with candy orange slices.
