Jamie Oliver’s Zingy Chocolate Mandarin Cake Recipe – Sweet Delight

Craving a chocolate mandarin cake that defies ordinary dessert expectations?

This luxurious fusion of zesty citrus and deep chocolate whispers culinary magic.

Bold flavors intertwine, creating a sensational dance of sweetness and tang.

Imagine a slice that breaks traditional boundaries with its innovative spirit.

Sophisticated yet wonderfully approachable, the cake transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary experience.

Each bite promises a delectable journey through contrasting tastes and textures.

You’ll fall in love with this remarkable dessert that celebrates unexpected flavor harmony.

Variations to Try with Chocolate Mandarin Cake

• Mastering Moisture Magic: Add a splash of mandarin juice to the batter for extra softness and a bright citrus flavor that keeps the cake incredibly tender.
• Customize Your Crumb: Swap mandarin for orange or tangerine juice to create unique flavor profiles that match your mood or seasonal ingredients.
• Frosting Flexibility: Experiment with cream cheese proportions to adjust the buttercream's richness – less cream cheese means a lighter, airier texture.
• Decoration Drama: Arrange mandarin segments in geometric patterns or create a rustic scattered look to personalize your cake's visual appeal and make each slice Instagram-worthy.

How to Serve This Citrus-Rich Cake

• Serve Alongside Fresh Beverages: Pair this decadent mandarin chocolate cake with chilled orange juice, light tea, or sparkling water to complement the citrusy flavors and enhance the overall dessert experience.
• Garnish with Mandarin Accents: Decorate serving plates with fresh mandarin segments, candied orange peels, or a delicate sprinkle of chocolate shavings to add visual appeal and extra texture.
• Create Elegant Presentation: Slice the cake into clean, precise rectangles and plate individually on white dishes to showcase the rich buttercream layers and highlight the cake's beautiful mandarin-chocolate color contrast.
• Perfect Party Dessert: Serve this cake at afternoon tea gatherings, birthday celebrations, or weekend brunches where guests can enjoy a sophisticated yet comforting sweet treat that balances rich chocolate with bright citrus notes.

Store Jamie Oliver Chocolate Mandarin Cake Properly

• Store Fresh and Creamy: Keep the mandarin cake refrigerated in an airtight container to maintain its soft texture and prevent drying. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or store in a sealed container to preserve moisture and flavor.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Slice the cake into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delicious for up to 3 months, perfect for quick dessert cravings.
• Serve at Perfect Temperature: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature. This helps restore the buttercream's creamy texture and enhances the mandarin's bright flavors.
• Maximize Freshness Window: Consume the cake within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture. Check for any signs of spoilage, such as unusual odors or texture changes, before serving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 675 kcal

Servings: 11

Jamie Oliver Chocolate Mandarin Cake: Ingredients

• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter for rich, smooth flavor.
• Icing Sugar: Choose fine-textured sugar for silky, lump-free consistency.
• Eggs: Pick fresh, room-temperature eggs for better mixing and texture.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour for balanced cake structure.
• Baking Powder: Ensure fresh powder for proper cake rising.
• Cocoa Powder: Select premium dark cocoa for intense chocolate notes.
• Mandarin Juice: Use freshly squeezed juice for vibrant citrus undertones.

• Butter: Use cold, high-fat content butter for stable cream.
• Icing Sugar: Sift sugar to eliminate potential clumps.
• Cream Cheese: Select soft, full-fat cream cheese for creamy texture.

• Mandarin Segments: Choose ripe, sweet mandarins with bright, firm flesh.
• Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened cocoa for elegant, subtle dusting.

What Tools You’ll Need for Chocolate Mandarin Cake

• Food Processor: Powerful kitchen gadget for blending batter and whipping frosting smoothly.
• Baking Tray (25cm x 30cm): Large rectangular pan for even cake baking.
• Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface protector for easy cake removal.
• Spatula: Handy tool for spreading batter and frosting evenly.
• Wire Rack: Cooling station for letting cake rest after baking.
• Skewer or Toothpick: Quick doneness tester for checking cake's readiness.
• Mixing Bowls: Convenient containers for ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for perfect recipe results.
• Knife: Sharp utensil for cutting cake layers and trimming edges.
• Sifter or Fine Strainer: Optional tool for dusting cocoa powder evenly.

Bake Chocolate Mandarin Cake with Jamie’s Steps

• Prep Your Baking Zone

Crank up the oven to 180°C. Grab a rectangular baking tray and coat it with a light butter layer, then nestle parchment paper inside to prevent sticky situations.

• Whip Up the Batter

Toss butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, cocoa, and mandarin juice into a food processor. Blend until the mixture transforms into a silky, lump-free dream that looks and feels like creamy velvet.

• Bake and Cool

Pour the batter into the prepared tray, spreading it evenly with smooth strokes. Slide the tray into the hot oven and bake for 20 minutes. Test cake readiness by poking with a skewer – it should emerge clean. Let the cake rest and cool completely on a wire rack.

• Create Dreamy Buttercream

Whisk butter and sugar in the food processor until they become a cloud-like, fluffy masterpiece. Gently incorporate cream cheese and a splash of mandarin juice for an extra zesty twist.

• Craft Your Mandarin Masterpiece

Slice the cooled cake into two elegant layers. Spread a luscious layer of buttercream on the bottom half, then artfully arrange mandarin segments across the surface. Crown with the second cake layer. Frost the top with remaining buttercream and dust with a delicate cocoa powder sprinkle for a sophisticated finish.

Luscious Jamie Oliver Chocolate Mandarin Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate mandarin cake blends Italian citrus with deep cocoa flavors. Zesty orange notes complement intense chocolate, creating a delightful dessert perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 450 g/1 lb soft unsalted butter (plus extra for greasing)
• 4 large eggs
• 650 g icing sugar
• 250 g self-raising flour
• 75 g cocoa powder
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 150 g light cream cheese
• 1 × 300 g tin of mandarin segments in juice

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 25cm x 30cm baking tray with parchment paper, ensuring smooth adhesion.
2. Batter Creation: In a food processor, blend softened butter, powdered sugar, whole eggs, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Incorporate mandarin orange liquid until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
3. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared tray, spreading evenly. Bake for 20 minutes, verifying doneness with a skewer. Rest cake in tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
4. Frosting Development: Process remaining butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Gently incorporate cream cheese and mandarin juice for enhanced flavor profile.
5. Assembly and Decoration: Once cooled, slice cake into two rectangular layers. Spread buttercream on first layer, arrange mandarin segments, and position second layer. Trim edges if desired. Complete by topping with remaining buttercream and a light cocoa powder dusting.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Tip: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, even mixing and optimal cake texture.
• Moisture Check: Use damp parchment paper to prevent cake from sticking and ensure easy removal from the baking tray.
• Skewer Test Technique: Insert a clean skewer into cake’s center to confirm perfect baking – no wet batter means it’s done.
• Cooling Crucial Step: Allow cake to rest in tray for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to prevent structural damage and maintain delicate crumb.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 675
• Sugar: 92 g
• Sodium: 208 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 102 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 141 mg