• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
CakeWhiz
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • All Recipes
  • Seasonal
  • Books
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • All Recipes
    • Seasonal
    • Books
    • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Brownies & Bars

    Chocolate Orange Brownies {Fudgy}

    Published: Jun 16, 2024 · Modified: Jun 23, 2024 by Abeer Rizvi · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

    Pin4.4K
    Share
    Tweet
    4.4K Shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Quick and easy chocolate orange brownies recipe with chocolate frosting, homemade from scratch with simple ingredients. Rich, fudgy and decadent. Loaded with fresh orange zest, extract and orange slices.

    Slice of Chocolate Orange Brownies With Chocolate Buttercream Frosting and Fresh Orange Slices.

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from CakeWhiz

    When I was developing this recipe, I was a little worried that the use of oranges might give them a medicinal aftertaste but thankfully, that did not happen. The cocoa flavor compliments the citrus flavor perfectly. These are just as delicious as my Easy Orange Cake (With Marmalade) and Easy Orange Cookies (With Cake Mix) and even these Easy Orange Cupcakes.

    Jump to:
    • Key ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to make easy chocolate orange brownies recipe from scratch?
    • Citrus brownie add-ins
    • Tips and techniques
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Storage
    • More homemade brownies
    • Recipe

    Key ingredients

    • Orange- Used for decorative slices on top.
    • Chocolate chips- To add more chocolatey, fudgy goodness.
    • Butter- Melted with chocolate in the microwave.
    • Sugar- For this recipe, granulated sugar is best.
    • Eggs- Be sure they are at room temperature.
    • Extracts and emulsion oil- You will use vanilla and orange extracts. Or you can use my preference of orange emulsion oil.
    • Cocoa powder- The higher quality, the better the flavor.
    • Flour- Use all-purpose for best results.
    • Baking powder- Acts as a rising agent.

    Variations

    • Use semisweet or milk chocolate chips- For this recipe. I don't recommend using dark chocolate chips since it's too bitter and over-whelms the overall flavor.
    • Enhance the citrus flavor- Pair with my Easy Orange Frosting (Buttercream Icing) instead of chocolate frosting.
    • White chocolate version- Stir in about ⅓ cup white chocolate chips in the batter and top off the brownies with this White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.
    • Instead of fresh orange slices- You can decorate with my Candied Orange Peel and Slices.
    • Add a dusting- Of powdered sugar or cocoa powder instead of topping with icing .
    • Increase tanginess- With something that has sour cream or cream cheese like this Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting, or this Easy Vanilla Sour Cream Frosting, or even this Cream Cheese Frosting.
    • Use blood oranges- That are a darker color, so beautiful, and juicy.
    • Substitute vanilla- For a different extract, such as maple, coconut, or almond to try a different flavor profile.

    How to make easy chocolate orange brownies recipe from scratch?

    Start by melting the butter and chocolate chips together in a microwave-safe bowl. Then use a mixer to blend in sugar, eggs, extracts, and zest. Once that becomes a smooth consistency, add in the cocoa powder, flour, and baking powder. Spread in a pan, bake, allow to cool, then decorate.

    Butter and chocolate chips in glass bowl.

    1. Heat butter and chocolate chips- Until fully melted.

    Melted chocolate mixture and sugar being mixed with a hand-held mixer.

    2. Add in sugar- And mix until smooth.

    Eggs added to brownie batter.

    3. Crack the eggs- Into the bowl along with, extracts and zest.

    Smooth brownie batter dripping from whisk.

    4. Mix altogether- Until blended.

    Cocoa powder added to batter in glass bowl.

    5. Blend in- Cocoa powder.

    Flour added to batter in glass bowl.

    6. Stir in- Flour and baking powder.

    Brownie batter being spread in square dish.

    7. Spread batter- In a pan and bake.

    Chocolate frosting being spread on top of room temperature brownies.

    8. Let it cool- Then top with frosting and orange slices.

    Citrus brownie add-ins

    • Nuts- Such as roughly chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, macadamia nuts.
    • Coconut- Use shredded coconut that can be sweetened or unsweetened.
    • Candies- Including chopped up candy bars, Reese's Pieces, or M&Ms like these Cake Mix Chocolate M&M Cookies.
    • Chocolate chips-
    • Espresso powder- This goes really well with chocolate and actually works to bring out its natural cocoa flavor. That's part of what makes these Coffee Cookies (Espresso Mocha Cookies) so delicious.
    • Nutella- Add some of these chocolatey hazelnut butter or just make these Easy Nutella Brownies (3 Ingredients).
    • Biscoff- Using this cookie butter in brownies is a game changer.
    • Caramel- This can be in form of my Homemade Caramel Sauce swirled in the batter or caramel bits mixed into the batter.
    • Dulce De Leche- Swirl some of this on top of the batter before baking.
    • Cookies- Such as crushed Oreos or Biscoff cookies.
    • Orange marmalade or jam- This increases the orange sweetness of these brownies and makes them even more fudgy.
    Partially Eaten Frosted Brownie on Rustic Brownish Gray Background.

    Tips and techniques

    • Don't omit- Cocoa powder or chocolate chips in this recipe. They are both required for the perfect fudgy brownie texture.
    • I prefer using orange emulsion oil- Since it's stronger and doesn't evaporate while baking. However, if you don't have that, you can easily use orange extract instead.
    • Don't omit the orange zest- Because it adds a wonderful fresh aroma to these brownies.
    • Don't use wax paper to line the cake pan- Because the brownies stick to it and make a big mess. I suggest lining the pan with aluminum foil and spraying it with a little bit of oil. That makes it very easy to remove the brownies once they have cooled down completely.
    • I prefer really fudgy brownies- To the point where they almost seem under-cooked. But if you are not fond of that, you can bake for a little longer.
    • Brownies are ready when- A toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean with some crumbs. It should not be dripping with batter. If your inserted toothpick comes out dry, you have over-baked your brownies and they will have a more “cake-like” texture. If you enjoy this kind of texture and flavor, try my Texas Sheet Cake (From Scratch) too.
    • Don't over-mix batter- Or else you will get dense, rubbery brownies.
    • Careful not to over-bake- Because then they are dry and crumbly. 
    • They are done when- An inserted toothpick in the center comes out with a few sticky crumbs. 
    • Cut up the butter- Into cubes before melting to make it easier to handle and help it melt quicker.
    • Use eggs that are room temperature- Because this helps all the ingredients mix together more smoothly.
    Spoonful of Brownie on Rustic Background.

    Recipe FAQs

    Why are my brownies dry?

    This happens when you overcook them. In many dessert recipe we use the rule of "when an inserted toothpick comes out dry," but in the case of these brownies, a dry toothpick means more dry, cakey brownies.

    Why are my brownies wet and raw in the middle?

    They need to be cooked for longer. When you insert a toothpick you want a few crumbs still stuck on it, but not gooey batter.

    Why are my brownies cake-like instead of fudgy?

    This happens when you cook them longer. In my opinion, these brownies are best when they still have a soft, fudge-like center.

    Storage

    • Room temperature- These can be stored in a sealed container for 6-8 hours.
    • Refrigerate- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
    • Freeze- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container for up to 1 month.
    • Make ahead- These can be made up to 3 days before serving if kept in a sealed container in the fridge or for up to 1 month if kept in a sealed container in the freezer. Then thaw and serve.

    More homemade brownies

    • Coffee Brownies (Mocha Espresso Brownies)
    • Cake Mix Brownies (Fudgy)
    • Nutella brownies (3 Ingredients)
    • Black Bean Brownies
    • Brownie Bowls

    Recipe

    Slice of Chocolate Orange Brownies With Chocolate Buttercream Frosting and Fresh Orange Slices.

    Best Chocolate Orange Brownies (Fudgy)

    Abeer Rizvi
    Quick and easy chocolate orange brownies recipe with chocolate frosting that's homemade from scratch with simple ingredients. Rich, fudgy and decadent.
    5 from 2 ratings
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 pieces
    Calories 417 kcal

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from CakeWhiz

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups Chocolate chips I used semisweet
    • 1 cup Butter Unsalted, Cut into cubes
    • 2¼ cups Granulated sugar
    • 4 Eggs Large, Room temperature
    • 1 Vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon Orange extract Or orange emulsion oil
    • 2 teaspoon Orange zest
    • 1¼ cups Cocoa powder
    • 1½ cups All-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon Baking powder
    • ¼ cup Add-ins of your choice Such as chopped walnuts, pecans or chocolate chips
    • 2 cups Chocolate buttercream frosting
    • Fresh orange slices For decoration

    Instructions
     

    • In a microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips and butter. Heat in the microwave at 30 second intervals until everything has completely melted and you have a smooth mixture.
    • Add sugar and mix until everything is thoroughly combined. This mixture should not be boiling hot!
    • Add eggs, vanilla extract, orange extract, orange zest and mix until just combined.
    • Add cocoa powder and mix until just combined.
    • Slowly, add the flour and baking powder and mix until just combined. The batter will be thick!
    • Gently, stir in any add-ins you like.
    • Pour this brownie batter into a square pan (Dimensions: 9×9) that's been lined with foil paper and sprayed with oil. Use a spatula to spread it evenly.
    • Bake at 350 degrees F for 28-30 minutes.
    • Allow these brownies to cool to room temperature.
    • Spread chocolate frosting evenly on the top and cut them into square slices.
    • Decorate each slice with a couple of thinly sliced round orange slices. Enjoy.

    Video

    Notes

    • Don't over mix batter because that will yield dense and rubbery brownies.
    • Don't over-bake  brownies because that will make them dry and crumbly. 
    • Brownies are ready to be removed from the oven when an inserted toothpick in the center comes out with a few sticky crumbs. 
    • I recommend using orange emulsion oil over extract because it has a stronger aroma.
    • Some add-ins to consider are chocolate chips, chopped candy bars, m&m, shredded coconut, chopped Oreos and nuts. 
    • Read additional tips and variations above.
    • Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 417kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 5gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 21mgPotassium: 261mgFiber: 4gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 430IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 3.1mg

    An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or rate and tag @cakewhiz on social
    Pin4.4K
    Share
    Tweet
    4.4K Shares

    More Brownies & Bars

    • Easy Chocolate Brownie Cake With Chocolate Ganache (Layer Cake) on White Dish.
      Chocolate Brownie Cake (With Box Mix or Scratch)
    • Slices of Chocolate Cookie Bars With 5 Layers on Black Stone Background.
      Chocolate Cookie Bars (5 Layers)
    • Stack of Easy Brookies With One Bar That is Partially Eaten on Rustic Background.
      Easy Brookies {With Brownie Mix}
    • Easy Christmas Santa Hat Brownies With Buttercream Frosting on White Dish.
      Santa Hat Brownies {Christmas Bites}

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lucy

      April 07, 2016 at 3:03 pm

      Wow these look perfect! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi

        April 08, 2016 at 7:11 pm

        Thanks... they were sooooooo chocolicious!

        Reply
    2. Mary Frances

      April 25, 2016 at 9:34 am

      Yumm!! This looks so good. I'm so tempted to get myself some brownie now!

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi

        April 25, 2016 at 3:12 pm

        hahaha... you really should make a batch of these!

        Reply
    3. Emily

      March 18, 2017 at 7:38 am

      Is the extract/oil essential to maintain the texture? Could I just use more zest to achieve the same effect?

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi

        March 22, 2017 at 3:12 am

        I use the extract/ oil to enhance the orange flavor. It has nothing to do with the texture. You can add a littl more zest, if you like but don't add too much since that will make the brownies bitter.

        Reply
    4. Mehnaz

      October 01, 2017 at 9:23 am

      Yummy!! Looks very decadent! Can I use orange juice instead of extract? If yes then how much? Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi

        October 03, 2017 at 1:30 am

        No, I am sorry but the juice doesn't have the same fragrance and flavor as the extract. You need to use that extract.

        Reply
    5. Isabelle Lane

      March 14, 2018 at 3:43 pm

      Best brownies I have ever made5 stars

      Reply
    6. AJ

      October 15, 2018 at 9:12 am

      If I make this in a 9x13 pan will they come out too thin? I don't have a 9x9 pan, but I really want to make these!

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi

        October 16, 2018 at 10:39 am

        Yes, that's a big pan and they will be thinner and I feel thinner brownies are never fudgy.

        Reply
    7. KMB

      December 23, 2022 at 9:01 am

      Delicious!. I accidentally forgot to buy oranges, so used tangerine rind off our tree. Won't do that again, but was still great flavor, rich brownie with the texture I like. This might also be good with orange liqueur added.5 stars

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hello, I'm Abeer Rizvi, the author and founder of CakeWhiz.com—a cherished dessert blog dedicated to baking, cake decorating, doctored cake mix recipes, and all things sweet. As a skilled food writer, baker, recipe developer, and cake decorator, I take pride in wearing multiple hats.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Best Cinnamon Roll Icing Without Cream Cheese in Black Bowl
      Cinnamon Roll Icing {Without Cream Cheese}

    • Homemade Nougat Candy Recipe
      How to Make Nougat

    • Easy Homemade Black Icing in Glass Bowl on White Background
      How to Make Black Icing {Buttercream Frosting}

    • Easy Maple Frosting Piped on Black Background
      Easy Maple Frosting {4 Ingredients}

    4th of July

    • Easy 4th of July Cake on Black Background
      Easy 4th of July Cake {Tiered Cake}

    • Easy Oreo Bites With 4th of July Decorations on Yellow Background
      Mini OREO Bites {No Bake}

    • Easy 4th of July Cupcakes (Red White and Blue Cupcakes)
      4th of July Cupcakes {Red White and Blue Cupcakes}

    • Best Cream Cheese Pound Cake With Topping of Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries.
      Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Work with Me

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 Cake Whiz

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.