Candied Orange Chocolate Cake

Name: Candied Orange Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 1/3 cup sliced almonds; 1 package devil's food cake mix (regular size); 1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix; 3 large eggs; 1-1/4 cups milk; 1/2 cup canola oil; 1 teaspoon orange extract; 1 cup chopped orange candy slices; ORANGE GLAZE:; 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons orange juice

This is wonderful "jazzed-up" box cake. It's an easy way to make a rich cake for a special occasion without having to bake it from scratch. The chocolate and orange are a great flavor combination. Topping it off are sliced almonds.

Ingredients

1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 package devil's food cake mix (regular size)
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
3 large eggs
1-1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 cup chopped orange candy slices
ORANGE GLAZE:
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons orange juice

Directions

Sprinkle almonds into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, milk, oil and extract; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Fold in orange slices.
Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing the cake from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a small saucepan, bring glaze ingredients to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat; cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle over cake.

Originally published as Candied Orange Chocolate Cake in Country Woman November/December 2004