Name: Mandarin Orange Almond Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour; 3 tablespoons corn starch; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3 eggs; 1 egg yolk; 3/4 cup + 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar (granulated); 1/2 cup greek yogurt; 1/3 cup finely chopped almonds (not almond flour); 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 2/3 cup mandarin juice (approximately 5-7) ((fresh mandarins)); zest 1/2 lemon; zest 1 mandarin orange; 1 1/4 cups icing / powdered sugar; 1-2 tablespoons Mandarin Orange juice ((fresh)); 1-2 tablespoon cream or milk

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This Mandarin Orange Almond Cake, is the perfect Italian cake to serve any time during the day. Fresh Mandarin Oranges and a simple glaze will make this cake a delicious dessert.

Christmas Day in Italy is pretty well a 24 hour eating feast. When my mother-in-law was healthy we would start at one with lunch. Naturally the wood burning stove would be lit.

In the oven would go the pans of Lasagna, Homemade Crepe Cannelloni, Roast Lamb, Roasted Potatoes and Roasted Onions. We would eat a Rollè, tossed salads, fennel salads, Baked Fennel and Peas.

ingredients mixed for mandarin orange cake — Mixed ingredients.

batter in pan ready for baking the mandarin orange cake — Ready for Baking.

Just when you didn’t think you good eat anymore, out would come the Italian Playing Cards and the Tombola Board (Italian Bingo).

And of course somebody would ask “who wants coffee”? And here comes the Pandoro, Panettone and Torrone! Nuts and my favourite Lupin Beans.

Which I have soaking as I update this post.

Table of Contents

Italian Glazed Mandarin Orange Almond Cake

pouring the glaze on the madarin orange cake

But don’t despair we never stopped there, my mother-in-law would decide that since the stove was burning she would have to make Pizza, and the dough making would begin.

If you were lucky and she made too much dough, she would take pieces of the dough fry them and when they were still warm, sprinkle them with sugar. Sometimes the simple things are the best!

Dinner would consist of the left overs, Pastas, the Meat dishes, fresh salads and of course 2 or 3 slices of her delicious Pizza.

Unfortunately those Christmases are over and everyone is with their own family. Sad for us, our daughter has to work and won’t be back for Christmas this year. But we will see her in a couple of months.

And when we do I will be sure to make her this Mandarin Almond Cake, two of her favourite ingredients. This is a moist cake as far as Italian Cakes go. With a simple Mandarin Glaze it makes the perfect Christmas Morning Treat.

How long can the Mandarin Orange Cake last?

Most covered cakes, including this cake either frosted or unfrosted, cut or uncut, are perfectly fine at room temperature for about 3 days.

How to make a Mandarin Orange Cake

In a medium bowl whisk the flour, corn starch, baking powder and baking soda and salt.
In another medium bowl beat until fluffy the eggs and sugar.
Gently fold in the yogurt, and then fold in the flour mixture.
Add the almonds, oil, juice and then the zest.
Pour into the prepared cake pan (I usually use a springform pan, makes life so much easier) and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. (time could be more or less, depends on your oven).
Let cake sit approximately 15 minutes, then remove from pan.
You can either glaze it with a simple icing sugar, mandarin juice and cream or a simple dusting of powdered sugar.

Fast and easy to make, this Italian Glazed Mandarin Orange Almond Cake is made with Greek Yogurt and Oil. A couple of years ago I shared my Italian Fresh Cream Lemon Cake and this year we are going for another citrus cake. Enjoy!