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A slice of layered mandarin orange cake with fresh mandarins and whipped cream on a white plate, accompanied by a fork.

Homemade Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe

This Mandarin Orange Cake combines vibrant citrus flavors with a tender, moist texture, perfect for dessert, tea-time, or celebrations. Easy to make and adaptable for dietary preferences, it’s a must-try citrus delight!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup Butter At room temperature
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • ⅓ cup Mandarin juice Fresh from about 3 mandarins
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • ½ cup Sour cream Full-fat recommended
  • 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour Sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Mandarin zest
For the Citrus Glaze
  • 1 cup Powdered sugar Sifted
  • 2 tablespoon Mandarin juice Fresh
  • 1 tablespoon Heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • Pinch Salt Optional
For Decoration
  • As needed Mandarin segments
  • As needed Candied orange peel
  • As needed Fresh mint leaves
  • As needed Orange zest

Equipment

  • 1 9-inch round pan Light-colored aluminum preferred
  • 1 Stand or hand mixer For creaming butter and sugar
  • 1 Microplane zester For zesting mandarins
  • 1 Citrus juicer To extract fresh mandarin juice1Cooling rackFor proper cooling1Large mixin
  • 1 Cooling rack or proper cooling
  • 1 Large mixing bow To combine ingredients
  • Sifte For aerating dry ingredients

Method
 

Step 1
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
Step 2
  1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Zest the mandarins and juice them, ensuring fresh and vibrant citrus flavor.
Step 3
  1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  3. Mix in mandarin zest and vanilla extract.
Step 4
  1. Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with mandarin juice and sour cream.
  2. Gently fold until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 5
  1. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  2. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Step 6
  1. Whisk together powdered sugar, mandarin juice, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt to create the glaze.
  2. Pour the glaze over the cooled cake.
  3. Decorate with mandarin segments, candied peel, and fresh mint leaves.