Mandarin Orange Cake

Mandarin Orange Cake: A Fresh and Fruity Delight

Looking for a cake that’s bursting with fresh citrus flavor and a touch of tropical sweetness? This Mandarin Orange Cake is the perfect choice! With soft layers made from real mandarin oranges and a fluffy whipped cream frosting filled with crushed pineapple, this cake brings a refreshing twist to any occasion. It’s light, fruity, and absolutely delicious—ideal for birthdays, celebrations, or just because you’re craving something special.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
• 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
• 8 egg yolks
• 1 ⅓ cups fresh mandarin oranges, crushed
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Frosting + Filling:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 16 ounces fresh pineapple, crushed
• Optional: 1 (3.4 ounce) box vanilla pudding mix

Directions:

1. Prepare the Cake:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, then set aside.
2. Crush the Oranges: In a food processor or blender, crush the fresh mandarin oranges.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg yolks, crushed mandarin oranges, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Mix the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a light, fluffy cake texture.
7. Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-28 minutes, or until the cakes spring back when lightly touched.
8. Cool the Cakes: Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 20 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Make the Frosting + Filling:

1. Crush the Pineapple: In a food processor or blender, crush the fresh pineapple and set aside.
2. Whip the Cream: In a stand mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
3. Add Sugar and Pineapple: Gradually add the powdered sugar, crushed pineapple, and the optional vanilla pudding mix. Beat until the mixture is well combined and smooth.

3. Assemble the Cake:

1. Layer the Cake: Place one cooled cake layer on a serving dish. Spread a generous amount of the pineapple cream frosting over the top.
2. Add the Second Layer: Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining cream frosting.
3. Garnish and Refrigerate: Garnish the cake as desired (fresh mandarin slices, pineapple chunks, or edible flowers make a lovely touch). Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.

Recipe Tips:

• Fresh Fruit: Use fresh mandarin oranges and pineapple for the best flavor, but canned versions can also work in a pinch—just make sure to drain them thoroughly.
• Pudding Mix: The optional vanilla pudding mix helps stabilize the whipped cream and adds a touch of sweetness to the frosting.
• Make Ahead: This cake can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld even more.

Quick Facts:

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25-28 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Calories: 380 kcal per slice
• Servings: 12 slices

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Bright and Fruity: The combination of mandarin oranges and pineapple creates a cake that’s light, refreshing, and full of fresh flavors.
• Creamy Whipped Frosting: The whipped cream frosting is fluffy and pairs beautifully with the cake, adding a tropical sweetness without being too heavy.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a family gathering, special occasion, or just a weekend treat, this Mandarin Orange Cake will impress your guests with its vibrant taste and beautiful presentation.

This Mandarin Orange Cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, offering the perfect balance of citrusy freshness and rich, creamy frosting. It’s a must-try for any fruit lover or anyone looking to add a tropical twist to their dessert lineup!

Mandarin Orange Cake

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• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

This Mandarin Orange Cake is a refreshing, light dessert that combines the tangy sweetness of fresh mandarin oranges with the tropical flavor of pineapple cream frosting. The soft, fluffy cake layers are perfectly complemented by the whipped cream frosting, which adds a rich yet airy texture to the dessert. The fresh pineapple in the frosting gives the cake a bright, summery feel, making it an ideal treat for any occasion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cake:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
8 egg yolks
1 ⅓ cups fresh mandarin oranges, crushed
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
¾ cup milk
2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting + Filling:
2 cups heavy cream
½ cup powdered sugar
16 ounces fresh pineapple, crushed
Optional: 1 (3.4 ounce) box vanilla pudding mix

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Instructions

Prepare the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and set aside.
In a food processor or blender, crush the fresh mandarin oranges.
In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks, crushed mandarin oranges, and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, until just combined. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans and bake for 25-28 minutes, or until the cakes spring back when touched lightly.
Let the cakes cool for 20 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack or cake stand to cool completely.
For the Frosting + Filling:
In a food processor or blender, crush the fresh pineapple and set aside.
In a stand mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the powdered sugar, crushed pineapple, and the optional vanilla pudding mix. Continue beating until well combined.
Assemble the cake: Place one layer of the cooled cake onto a serving dish. Spread a layer of the pineapple cream frosting over the top. Place the second layer of cake on top, then ice the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
Garnish as desired and refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-28 minutes

Nutrition

• Calories: 380