Cake with ladyfingers, yogurt, and tangerines

Ladyfinger, Yogurt, and Mandarin Cake: A Delicious and Refreshing Recipe

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour (plus cooling time)
Servings: 12

Welcome to my kitchen! Today I’m sharing a recipe that beautifully combines textures and flavors: the ladyfinger, yogurt, and mandarin cake. This cake is not only an easy and quick dessert option but also incredibly versatile, perfect for any occasion. Whether you're preparing for a party, a family gathering, or simply want to treat yourself to something sweet, this cake is sure to impress.

A bit of history about the recipe: ladyfinger cakes are a classic dessert, cherished for their ease of preparation and the fact that they don’t require complex baking. Combining them with yogurt and fruits is a great way to create a creamy and flavorful dessert that melts in your mouth. Now, let’s see how we can prepare it step by step!

Ingredients

For the base:
- 6 eggs
- a pinch of salt
- 5 tablespoons of sugar
- 5 tablespoons of flour
- 5 tablespoons of oil
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
- 10-12 ladyfingers
- a pinch of baking soda

For the cream:
- 600 g yogurt
- 100 g cottage cheese
- 100 g white chocolate
- 5 g gelatin
- 1 can of mandarin segments (about 400 g)
- additionally, 200 g plain biscuits for decoration

For the glaze:
- 300 g dark chocolate
- 100 ml sweet milk

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the base
1. Start by preparing the baking pan. Choose a 24 x 20 cm pan and line it with parchment paper. This will help you remove the cake easily.
2. Arrange the ladyfingers in the pan evenly, ensuring that the entire surface is covered.
3. Open the can of mandarins and drain the juice. Let the mandarins drain.
4. Using the juice obtained, soak the ladyfingers, but don’t overdo it – they should be moist but not soggy.

Step 2: Preparing the base
5. In a bowl, separate the egg whites from the yolks. Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and start whisking. Whisk until they become white and thick.
6. While continuing to whisk, gradually add the sugar until you achieve a shiny, firm meringue.
7. Add the yolks, incorporating them with a spatula.
8. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and cocoa powder. Sifting these ingredients will help avoid lumps.
9. Gradually fold the flour mixture into the meringue, mixing gently to maintain the airiness.
10. Finally, add the oil and mix until you achieve a soft and homogeneous batter.
11. Pour the batter over the ladyfingers and level it out.
12. Preheat the oven to 160°C and bake the base for 25-30 minutes. Check if it’s done by inserting a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, it’s ready.
13. After baking, remove the base from the oven and let it cool in the pan.

Step 3: Preparing the cream
14. While the base cools, hydrate the gelatin in the remaining juice from the can of mandarins.
15. Break the white chocolate into pieces and melt it in a bain-marie. Be careful not to burn it!
16. In a bowl, mix the yogurt with the cottage cheese until it becomes a creamy mixture.
17. Add the melted white chocolate, stirring until well combined.
18. Gently heat the gelatin until it melts, then incorporate it into the yogurt mixture.
19. Add the drained mandarins and mix gently to distribute them evenly.

Step 4: Assembling the cake
20. Pour the cream over the cooled base and level it with a spatula.
21. Place a layer of plain biscuits on top of the cream.
22. Refrigerate the cake for at least one hour to set.

Step 5: Glazing
23. Melt the dark chocolate together with the sweet milk in a bain-marie, stirring until it becomes a smooth glaze.
24. Remove the cake from the fridge and pour the chocolate glaze over it. Level it out to cover evenly.
25. Return the cake to the fridge until serving time.

Serving suggestions
For an extra treat, I recommend decorating the cake with chocolate flakes or colorful sprinkles. It’s a great way to make the dessert more appealing, especially for kids!

Helpful tips
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for the best results.
- If you want to add a hint of flavor, you can add a few drops of vanilla extract to the yogurt mixture.
- This cake keeps well in the fridge, so you can prepare it a day ahead of the event.
- A delicious variation would be to replace the mandarins with oranges or peaches.

Calories and nutritional benefits
This cake is a healthier choice compared to many other desserts, thanks to the yogurt and cottage cheese, which provide protein and calcium. Each serving contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the portions and ingredients used. The fruits add vitamins and fiber, making this cake not only tasty but also beneficial for your health.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use other fruits instead of mandarins?
Yes, you can use oranges, peaches, or even berries to give your cake a different twist.

2. How can I make the cake less sweet?
You can reduce the amount of sugar in the base or use natural yogurt, which is less sweet than sweetened varieties.

3. Is it possible to make the cake gluten-free?
Yes, replace the flour with a gluten-free flour option and ensure that all other ingredients are also gluten-free.

I hope this recipe inspires you to showcase your culinary skills and enjoy a delicious dessert with your loved ones! Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 6 eggs, a pinch of salt, 5 tablespoons of sugar, 5 tablespoons of flour, 5 tablespoons of oil, 2 tablespoons of cocoa, 10-12 ladyfingers, a knife tip of baking soda, cream: 600 g yogurt, 100 g cottage cheese, 100 g white chocolate, 5 g gelatin, 1 can of mandarin compote, plus 200 g plain biscuits, 300 g dark chocolate, 100 ml sweet milk.