Chocolate chip and orange loaf recipe

Chocolate chip and orange loaf is a really simple way of making our favourite type of cake - chocolate! Using chocolate chips rather than a complete chocolate sponge, we're convinced it's less calories! The freshness of the orange flavours with the choc chips is a great combination. It's also ready to eat in just over an hour so you won't be tempted to eat the whole fridge whilst you're waiting for your choc chip orange loaf to bake! If you like chocolate and orange cake, you're going to love this combo!

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 175g (6oz) softened butter or margarine
• 175g (6oz) golden caster sugar
• 175g (6oz) sifted self-raising flour
• 5ml (1tsp) baking powder
• Finely grated rind of 1 large orange
• 3 medium eggs, beaten
• 100g (4oz) plain chocolate chips

For the buttercream:

• 75g (3oz) softened butter
• 10ml (2tsp) finely grated orange rind
• 175g (6oz) sifted icing sugar
• 15ml (1tbsp) orange juice

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4).
2. Place the butter or margarine, sugar and flour in a large bowl. Add the baking powder, the grated rind and eggs. Whisk with an electric mixer until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Spoon into a greased and lined 900g (2lb) loaf tin. Bake for 45-55 mins until risen and golden, and when a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 10 mins, then turn out on to a cooling rack.
4. Beat 75g (3oz) softened butter with 10ml (2tsp) finely grated orange rind. Gradually beat in 175g (6oz) sifted icing sugar and 15ml (1tbsp) orange juice to make a smooth buttercream, then spread over the cake when cold.

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