Citrus cakes are a favourite in our house. They are usually very moist and typically the oranges or lemons that are added are bursting with flavour and provide a great alternative to chocolate and buttercream type cakes. This is an extremely simple and easy to make citrus cake, this time using mandarins.
Using just 4 ingredients, this is a really easy citrus cake to make. The mandarins are initially boiled then pureed. Add in almond meal, eggs and caster sugar and you get one of the most moist cakes you will ever taste that is simply bursting with citrus flavour. It doesn’t get much simpler for a fantastic cake that will also satisfy those looking for a gluten free dessert.
After the mandarins are boiled, this is one of the easiest cakes I have ever made. The steps to follow are very simple and the result is amazing.
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Mandarin & Almond Cake
Instructions
Place mandarins (skin on) in a saucepan and cover with water.
Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
Remove from saucepan and allow to cool completely
Grease and line a 21cm - 22cm (9 inch) round springform baking pan.
Pre-heat a fan forced oven to 160°C (320°F).
Peel and remove seeds from mandarin.
Place mandarin pieces and skin into a small food processor and puree until smooth.
In a large bowl, add eggs & caster sugar and using an electric mixer beat for about 5 minutes to fully combine.
Add mandarin puree and almond meal and using a spatula fold through the egg mixture.
Pour mixture into baking pan and cook in over for about 60 - 65 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
Remove from oven and let cool in pan for about 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust with icing sugar and garnish with additional mandarin pieces before serving.
John 
What is Almond meal?
Almond flour?
Almond meal and almond flour are very similar. I think almond flour is ground up a little more, so a finer texture. For the purpose of this recipe I think either is OK.
When you are talking about the skin, do you mean the rind or peel of the mandarin?
Hi Debbie, late response I know – however yes the peel is what I am referring to.
Please explain : what is caster sugar ? I live in USA…..we have regular sugar ( white ), or powder sugar ? Thanks……
MIra
Hi Mira, caster sugar is simply a finer grain that regular white sugar, so it mixes a little easier. But if you only have regular white sugar then go with that.
can i replace almond meal with wheat flour?
Hi Maggie, wheat flour will obviously change the nature & texture of the cake. I expect it will be less moist. I haven’t tried this with wheat flour so can’t offer any insight. Perhaps give it a go and see what you think.