Chocolate Cake With Chocolate-Orange Sauce

295 calories per serving

Active time 20 minutes

Total time 1 hour 20 minutes

Makes 12 Servings

Butter, for greasing pan and parchment

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

1²/₃ cups granulated sugar

1 cup plus 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

2½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

3 large egg whites

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

²/₃ cup applesauce

2 Tbsp. canola oil

4 oz. fat-free cream cheese, softened

1¼ cups confectioners' sugar

½ cup plus 2 Tbsp. orange juice

2 tsp. orange liqueur (optional)

1.    Preheat oven to 350°F Butter nonstick 9-inch cake pan. Cut and butter circle of parchment to fit into bottom of pan. Set pan aside.

2.    Into large bowl, sift flour, sugar, ½ cup cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In medium bowl, beat egg whites until glossy and soft peaks form. With rubber spatula, stir buttermilk, applesauce, and oil into flour mixture until combined and batter is smooth. Fold egg whites into batter and transfer to prepared pan.

3.    Bake cake, with rack set in middle of oven, 40 to 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Transfer pan to wire rack and let cool 20 minutes. Invert cake and let cool completely.

4.    Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and ½ cup cocoa powder. In medium saucepot on medium-high, bring juice to boiling; cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until reduced by half. Add juice to cocoa mixture and stir until combined and consistency of molasses. Pass sauce through fine strainer for smooth and silky consistency. Stir in orange liqueur, if desired. Sift remaining 2 teaspoons cocoa powder over cake. Slice cake, spoon sauce over each slice, and serve.