Easy Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe

Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe: Picture this: a soft, tender cake bursting with the sweet-tart flavor of sun-ripened mandarin oranges, each bite melting in your mouth with just the right balance of citrus brightness and buttery richness. This isn't just any ordinary cake – it's the kind that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma as it bakes, making everyone wonder what magical creation is coming out of your oven.

A slice of Mandarin Orange Cake with creamy frosting, topped with a fresh mandarin orange wedge and a sprig of mint. This moist, citrus-infused cake features two layers of fluffy sponge cake with a smooth cream cheese frosting, making it a delightful dessert for any occasion.

Why You'll Love This Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe

What makes this Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe truly special is how it transforms simple, everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. The fresh mandarin oranges add not only their vibrant flavor but also natural moisture that keeps the cake perfectly tender for days (though good luck having it last that long!). The crumb is light as air, yet satisfyingly rich, making it an ideal choice whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply wanting to make an ordinary day feel a bit more special.

Don't be surprised if this Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe becomes your new go-to recipe when you want to impress guests or treat your family. It's one of those versatile cakes that feels equally at home at an elegant dinner party or a casual weekend brunch. The natural sweetness of mandarin oranges gives it a refreshing quality that sets it apart from heavier desserts, making it a perfect ending to any meal.

Here's the best part – while everyone will think you've been taking secret pastry chef classes, this recipe is actually super friendly to make. It's like having a kitchen buddy who helps you create something amazing without any of the stress. Just imagine the pride you'll feel when you present this beautiful creation to your loved ones!

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe Instructions
Equipment For Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe
Storage Instructions
Recipe Variations
Top Tip
Grandma's Magic Touch
FAQ
How did your Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe turn out?
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Pairing
Easy Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe

Ingredients

the Cake:

2¾ cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups granulated sugar
2½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, room temperature
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 cup whole milk
2 cans (11 oz each) mandarin oranges, drained (reserve juice for frosting)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 fresh mandarin orange

A flat lay of fresh ingredients for a Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe, including flour, sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, fresh mandarin oranges, orange zest, and oil. These essential baking ingredients create a moist, citrus-flavored cake with a delightful homemade taste.

the Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup reserved mandarin orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

A collection of ingredients for the Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe's creamy frosting, including cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, fresh mandarin orange juice, vanilla extract, and whipped cream. These ingredients combine to create a rich, smooth, and citrus-infused frosting for the cake.

Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe Instructions

Let's Start Baking Magic!

First things first - let's wake up your oven! Set it to 350°F (175°C) and give your two 9-inch cake pans some love with a nice coat of butter and flour. This is where the magic begins!
Time for our dry ingredients to party! Grab that flour, baking powder, and salt, and give them a good sift together in a large bowl. This little step is our secret weapon for a cake that's smooth as silk!
Now for the fun part - let's get those eggs dancing! Beat them until they're light and fluffy (about 2 minutes should do it). While they're having their moment, gradually rain in the sugar. Watch how they become thick and gorgeous!
Here comes the smooth operator - drizzle in your vegetable oil and vanilla extract into that fluffy egg mixture. It's like adding liquid gold to our batter!
Now we're going to play a little back-and-forth game: add your dry ingredients and milk alternately to the wet mixture. Remember, we're being gentle here - mix just until they're friends. No need to overdo it!
The star of the show arrives - those juicy mandarin oranges and that fragrant orange zest! Fold them in carefully - they're the VIPs of this recipe!
Share the love between your two prepared pans. Try to make them even - we want both layers to be besties!
Pop them in the oven for their 25-30 minute spa treatment. You'll know they're ready when a toothpick comes out clean and they're golden like sunshine!

Let's Whip Up That Heavenly Frosting!

Time to make cream cheese and butter best friends - beat them together until they're smooth as silk!
Shower in that powdered sugar gradually, taking turns with your mandarin orange juice. It's like a sweet little dance!
Drop in that vanilla extract and beat until it's light as clouds. This frosting is about to make your cake absolutely irresistible!
Feel free to play with the texture - add a touch more powdered sugar if it needs thickening, or a splash more juice if it needs loosening up.

Time to Put It All Together!

Once your cakes have chilled out completely, let's start the assembly! Place your first layer on its throne (your serving plate).
Spread a generous blanket of that dreamy frosting on top - don't be shy here!
Crown it with the second layer and wrap the whole cake in frostingy goodness.
For the grand finale, decorate with some mandarin orange segments - they're like little jewels on your masterpiece!

Equipment For Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe

Two 9-inch round cake pans
Electric mixer (stand mixer preferred, but hand mixer works too)
Large mixing bowls
Sifter or fine-mesh strainer
Rubber spatula
Cooling racks

Storage Instructions

Keep cake refrigerated for up to 5 days
Store in an airtight container
Can be frozen unfrosted for up to 3 months
Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving

Recipe Variations

Make it gluten-free by substituting with 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Use orange extract instead of vanilla for more intense citrus flavor
Add chopped nuts between layers for extra crunch
Try with fresh oranges when mandarins aren't available

Top Tip

Bring all refrigerated ingredients to room temperature before starting

Pat Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe thoroughly dry before adding to prevent excess moisture

Don't overmix the batter once you add the flour to keep the cake light and fluffy

Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting

Grandma's Magic Touch

You know those recipes that somehow taste better when Grandma makes them? This Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe carries that same special magic in every slice. It's like wrapping yourself in a warm, cozy blanket of memories with each delicious bite. Grandma's version of this Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe has that perfect balance of love and expertise that only comes from years of perfecting each step. She always said the secret wasn't just in the ingredients – it was in the little details, like how she'd carefully select the sweetest mandarin oranges and gently fold them into the batter while humming her favorite tune.

What makes this Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe truly unique is how it captures those precious moments of spending time in Grandma's kitchen. The way she'd let us sneak little pieces of mandarin while she baked, her gentle reminder to "cream the butter and sugar until it's light as clouds," and that special twinkle in her eye when she'd pull the perfectly golden cake from the oven. This Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe isn't just about measurements and steps – it's about recreating that magical touch that made everything taste absolutely perfect.

This treasured Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe has that incredible ability to bring everyone together, just like Grandma always did. One bite of this moist, citrusy cake, and suddenly you're transported back to her warm, welcoming kitchen, where every dish was made with an extra sprinkle of love and that magical grandmother's touch. When you make this Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe, you're not just baking a cake – you're keeping Grandma's legacy alive, one delicious slice at a time.

FAQ

What to do with a bunch of mandarin oranges?

Mandarin oranges can be used in multiple ways: make a citrus cake or quick bread, add them to fruit salads, create mandarin orange preserves, or blend them into smoothies. For baking, they work excellently in upside-down cakes, muffins, and quick breads. You can also candy the peels, make mandarin orange curd, or create a citrus glaze for desserts. Fresh mandarins can be segmented and frozen for future use, or juiced to make natural orange syrup for cocktails and baked goods.

Why is it called pig pickin cake?

Pig pickin cake gets its unique name from its origins at Southern pig roasts or "pig pickins." This orange-pineapple cake traditionally served as a dessert at these barbecue gatherings where whole pigs were roasted and picked apart. The cake's light, fruity flavor was considered the perfect ending to a heavy barbecue meal. Also known as "mandarin orange cake" or "pea pickin cake," it's typically made with mandarin oranges in the cake and crushed pineapple in the frosting.

Can I substitute orange juice for water in a box cake mix?

Yes, you can substitute orange juice for water in a box cake mix to enhance flavor. Use an equal amount of orange juice as the water called for in the recipe. The juice adds natural citrus flavor and slight acidity that improves the cake's taste. However, reduce any additional sugar in the recipe by 1-2 tablespoons since orange juice contains natural sugars. For best results, use freshly squeezed or high-quality pure orange juice rather than juice cocktails.

How do I substitute fresh mandarin oranges for canned?

To substitute fresh Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe for canned, use about 2 cups of peeled, segmented fresh mandarins for every 11-ounce can called for in the recipe. Remove all white pith and membrane from the fresh segments to mimic the texture of canned mandarins. Since fresh mandarins aren't packed in syrup, you may need to increase the sugar in your recipe by 1-2 tablespoons. Also, drain and pat the fresh segments dry to prevent excess moisture from affecting the recipe's texture.

How did your Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe turn out?

This recipe is sure to impress with its perfect balance of zesty citrus and creamy sweetness. If you're a fan of fruity desserts, be sure to try our Easy Pumpkin Donut Recipe next – another easy-to-make yet delicious treat!

Did you make this Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe? We'd love to hear about your experience! Leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments.

Did you try any creative twists or use any unique ingredients? Your feedback not only helps others but also contributes to our growing community of home cooks. Don't forget to share a photo of your culinary creation!

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