Description
This Mandarin Orange Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert made with a classic yellow cake mix enhanced by juicy mandarin oranges and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for any occasion, this cake combines fruitiness and sweetness in a simple, quick-to-make recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, drained and juice reserved
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round or square cake pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal after baking.
- Make the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, drained mandarin oranges along with their reserved juice, eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer or by hand until it becomes smooth and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the prepared batter evenly into the greased and floured cake pan, spreading it out with a spatula or the back of a spoon to ensure uniform thickness.
- Bake the Cake: Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean with no batter attached.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. After cooling, optionally garnish with whipped cream or a citrus glaze to enhance the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Be sure to drain the mandarin oranges well but reserve the juice to add extra moisture and flavor to the batter.
- Use an 8-inch round or square cake pan for best results; adjust baking time slightly if using a different size.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before adding toppings to prevent them from melting or sliding off.
- For a lighter twist, substitute vegetable oil with applesauce or Greek yogurt.
- This cake pairs well with whipped cream, cream cheese frosting, or a simple orange glaze made from powdered sugar and mandarin juice.
