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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 25cm x 30cm baking tray with parchment paper, ensuring smooth adhesion.
- 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.
- 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.
- Frosting Development: Process remaining butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Gently incorporate cream cheese and mandarin juice for enhanced flavor profile.
- 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