Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, prepare an 8-inch round cake pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, whisking until evenly blended. This ensures everything is evenly mixed and helps prevent clumps, so your cake turns out perfectly smooth.

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter for a few seconds until creamy.

Add the sugar and orange zest and continue beating for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. The butter and zest create a wonderfully smooth, fragrant base for the cake.

Crack in the eggs one at a time, blending for roughly 10 seconds after each addition. This keeps the batter smooth and airy.

Then, pour in the orange juice, olive oil, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined.

Carefully incorporate the dry ingredients in two batches, folding gently and mixing only until combined to maintain a soft, airy texture. If there’s any flour around the edges, fold it in with a spatula. The key here is to avoid over-mixing to ensure a tender cake.

Pour the batter into the greased pan, using a spatula to evenly smooth out the surface. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. 

To test if it’s done, stick a toothpick into the center, if it comes out clean, your cake is good to go. Resist opening the oven too often so the heat stays steady.

Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully move it to a wire rack to cool fully before adding any frosting.

While the cake cools, make the ganache by breaking the dark chocolate into pieces and placing it in a heatproof bowl. 

In a small saucepan, warm the coconut cream (or heavy cream) over low heat with orange zest until small bubbles appear, but don’t let it boil. 

Pour the warm cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 2 minutes, then stir gently until smooth.

Set the ganache aside at room temperature for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a spreadable consistency.

Once the cake has cooled and the ganache is thickened, generously spread the ganache over the cake.

Let it set before slicing and serving. Enjoy each delicious bite of this indulgent treat!