If you’re a fan of chocolate and citrus, you’ll love this delicious dessert by Jamie Oliver. The Chocolate Mandarin Cake is a rich and decadent cake with a subtle citrus twist that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Made with real mandarins, dark chocolate, and almonds, this cake is not only indulgent but also nutritious. It’s perfect for any special occasion or when you want to treat yourself to something sweet and satisfying. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. So, let’s dive into the recipe and discover how to make this heavenly dessert.
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💓 Why You’ll Love This Jamie Oliver Chocolate Mandarin Cake
You’ll love this Jamie Oliver Chocolate Mandarin Cake for several reasons:
- Rich chocolate flavor: The combination of dark chocolate and fresh mandarin juice and zest makes for a decadent and flavorful cake.
- Moist and tender texture: The addition of almond flour and olive oil keeps the cake moist and tender, while also making it gluten-free and dairy-free.
- Easy to make: The recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any complicated techniques or equipment.
- Perfect for special occasions: This cake is impressive enough to serve for special occasions but is also simple enough to make for a weekend treat.
- Unique flavor profile: The addition of mandarin adds a unique twist to a classic chocolate cake, making it stand out from other chocolate cake recipes.
What Is Jamie Oliver Chocolate Mandarin Cake Recipe?
Jamie Oliver’s Chocolate Mandarin Cake is a delicious and unique dessert that combines the rich flavors of chocolate and tangy mandarin oranges. The cake is typically made with a rich chocolate cake base that is infused with Mandarin orange zest and juice. The cake is then topped with a decadent chocolate ganache and garnished with fresh mandarin segments for a burst of citrus flavor. The cake is perfect for any special occasion or for a sweet indulgence anytime.

🍝 Ingredients
- 200g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), broken up
- 200g unsalted butter, cubed, plus extra for greasing
- 200g caster sugar
- 200g ground almonds
- 5 large eggs
- zest of 2 mandarins
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp icing sugar, for dusting
For the Mandarin Syrup:
- juice of 2 mandarins
- 100g caster sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick

🔪How To Make Jamie Oliver Chocolate Mandarin Cake
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Grease and line the base of a 23cm springform cake tin with baking paper.
- Place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, making sure the base of the bowl isn’t touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted and combined, then remove from the heat.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the caster sugar, ground almonds, eggs, mandarin zest and salt until pale and fluffy.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and gently fold together until combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cake is set and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, make the mandarin syrup by placing the mandarin juice, caster sugar and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until thickened slightly.
- Once the cake is cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Then, prick the surface of the cake all over with a skewer and pour the mandarin syrup over the top.
- Leave to cool completely in the tin before removing and dusting with icing sugar. Serve in slices and enjoy!
💭Recipe Tips
- Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids for best flavor.
- Make sure to zest the mandarins before juicing them, as it can be difficult to get the zest once the mandarins are juiced.
- Be sure to let the cake cool completely before adding the chocolate ganache, otherwise the ganache may melt and slide off the cake.
- When making the ganache, use a heatproof bowl and a simmering pot of water (double boiler) to melt the chocolate and cream together slowly and evenly.
- To make the chocolate curls for garnish, use a vegetable peeler to shave thin curls off of a block of chocolate while it is at room temperature.
- To achieve a perfectly smooth and creamy batter, use room temperature ingredients, including the butter and eggs. This will also help ensure the cake rises evenly.
- If you don’t have mandarins, you can use oranges instead, but the flavor will be slightly different.

🍴 What To Serve With Chocolate Mandarin Cake?
Chocolate Mandarin Cake is a delicious dessert that can be served on its own or with a variety of accompaniments. Here are some ideas for serving with this cake:
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream on top of a slice of cake is always a classic choice.
- Citrus Fruit: Since this cake contains mandarin oranges, serving it with some additional citrus fruit, such as sliced oranges or grapefruit, can be a great complement to the flavors in the cake.
- Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream can be a delicious addition to a warm slice of chocolate cake.
- Berries: Fresh berries, such as raspberries or strawberries, can be a great way to add a pop of color and freshness to a slice of cake.
- Candied Orange Peel: For an extra burst of citrus flavor, try adding some candied orange peel on top of the cake.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzling some warm caramel sauce on top of a slice of cake can be a decadent and delicious addition.
- Espresso: A shot of espresso or a cup of coffee can be a great way to balance out the sweetness of the cake and add some bitterness to the flavor profile.
🥶 How To Store Leftovers
To store leftovers of Jamie Oliver’s chocolate mandarin cake, there are a few ways:
Regardless of the storage method you choose, make sure to store the cake away from any strong-smelling foods, as it can absorb odors easily.
🌡️ How To Reheat Leftovers
It’s best to serve the Chocolate Mandarin Cake at room temperature, but if you do need to reheat leftovers, here are a few options:
- Microwave: Cut a slice of cake and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it for 10-15 seconds or until it’s slightly warm. Be careful not to overheat the cake, as it can dry out quickly in the microwave.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the leftover cake in foil and place it in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until it’s slightly warm. Check on the cake every few minutes to make sure it’s not getting too dry.
- Steamer: If you have a steamer, you can use it to reheat the cake. Place the cake slice in a heatproof dish and place it in the steamer basket. Steam the cake for 5-7 minutes, or until it’s warm throughout.
Make sure to let the cake cool down for a few minutes before serving it. Also, note that reheating the cake can cause it to dry out or lose its texture, so it’s best to consume the leftovers within 2-3 days or freeze them for longer storage.
What is the difference between Chocolate Mandarin Cake and other chocolate cakes?
The main difference between Chocolate Mandarin Cake and other chocolate cakes is the addition of mandarin oranges in the cake. This gives the cake a unique flavor combination of dark chocolate and tart citrus. The cake also has a denser, moister texture due to the addition of the mandarin oranges.
What does Chocolate Mandarin Cake taste like?
Chocolate Mandarin Cake has a unique flavor combination of bittersweet dark chocolate and tart citrus. The chocolate cake is moist and rich, while the mandarin orange filling adds a sweet, tart flavor. The combination of flavors creates a unique and delicious cake that is sure to please.
How long does it take to make Chocolate Mandarin Cake?
It typically takes about 1-2 hours to make Chocolate Mandarin Cake, depending on how many cake layers you are making. The cake batter and mandarin orange filling can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. The cake should be baked for about 30 minutes and cooled before assembling and frosting.
Can chocolate mandarin cake be made ahead of time?
Yes, chocolate mandarin cake can be made ahead of time. The cake can be made up to 2 days ahead of time, and the filling and ganache can be prepared up to 1 day ahead of time. Assemble the cake just before serving.
Do You Peel mandarin For chocolate mandarin cake?
No, the mandarins do not need to be peeled for a chocolate mandarin cake. You can just cut them into slices or cubes and add them to the cake batter.
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Jamie Oliver Chocolate Mandarin Cake Nutrition Fact
- Calories: 477
- Total Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 71mg
- Sodium: 110mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 68g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 44g
- Protein: 5g