Cheesecake with tangerines

Mandarin and cream cheese cake - a quick and delicious dessert

If you are looking for a dessert that combines the fresh taste of mandarins with the creaminess of cheese, you have come to the right place! The mandarin and cream cheese cake is an excellent choice for any occasion, whether it’s a festive meal, a family gathering, or simply a night of personal indulgence. This dessert is not only delicious but also easy to prepare, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced cooks.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 45-50 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients needed

Base:
- 3 eggs
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 vanilla essence
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Cream:
- 250 g fresh cheese (preferably cottage cheese or ricotta)
- 4-5 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 25 g butter (at room temperature)
- 1 orange essence
- 3-4 mandarins (fresh, for flavor)
- 1 teaspoon gelatin powder
- 300 ml liquid cream

Step by step - Preparing the cake

1. Preparing the base

*Start with the base, which is the foundation of this delicious cake. Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for a more homogeneous mix.*

1. Mixing dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking powder. This step is essential as it helps to evenly distribute the ingredients and avoid clumps.

2. Beat the egg whites: In another bowl, beat the egg whites with sugar until you achieve a firm foam, resembling meringue. This step will give the base a light and fluffy texture.

3. Add the yolks: Add the yolks, oil, and vanilla essence to the egg white foam. Gently mix with a spatula, being careful not to deflate the mixture.

4. Combine ingredients: Start adding the dry ingredient mixture to the egg composition, gently folding with a spatula until well combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter airy.

5. Bake the base: Pour the mixture into a baking tray lined with parchment paper (dimensions 26 x 17 cm) and place the tray in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, remove the base from the tray and let it cool on a wire rack.

2. Preparing the cream

*The cream is the heart of this cake, and the mandarins add a touch of freshness.*

1. Prepare the gelatin: Soak the gelatin in 2-3 tablespoons of mandarin juice, allowing it to absorb the liquid for 5-10 minutes. Then, dissolve the gelatin over a steam bath, stirring constantly.

2. Peel the mandarins: Remove the skin and seeds from the mandarins, then cut them into small pieces. These will add a vibrant flavor and pleasant texture to your cream.

3. Whip the cream: In a separate bowl, whip the liquid cream until it doubles in volume. Add the orange essence for extra flavor.

4. Prepare the cheese cream: In another bowl, mix the fresh cheese with powdered sugar and butter until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous cream. Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easy incorporation.

5. Combine ingredients: Add the dissolved gelatin and chopped mandarins to the cheese cream, gently mixing. Finally, fold in half of the whipped cream, taking care to keep it airy.

3. Assembling the cake

*Now comes the fun part! Assembling the cake can be customized to your preferences.*

1. Lining the tray: Take the tray where you baked the base and line it with cling film to facilitate the removal of the cake once the cream has set.

2. Pouring the cream: Pour the cream cheese with mandarins into the tray and smooth the surface with a spatula.

3. Adding the base: Place the base on top of the cream, pressing it down gently to secure it. This step will help the cream stick to the base and not separate.

4. Refrigeration: Place the tray in the refrigerator for a few hours, ideally overnight, to allow the cream to set completely.

5. Serving: Once the cream has set, invert the cake onto a platter. Decorate with the remaining whipped cream and, if desired, with slices of mandarins or chocolate figures for a festive look.

Tips and useful advice

- Gelatin: Ensure that the gelatin is well dissolved to avoid lumps in the cream. If you don’t have gelatin, you can use agar-agar as an alternative, following the instructions on the package.
- Types of cheese: Choose a quality fresh cheese, as this will influence the final taste of the cake. Ricotta or mascarpone are excellent choices.
- Flavors: Play with flavors! You can also add a little lemon or orange zest to the cheese cream for an extra touch of freshness.
- Variations: Instead of mandarins, you can use other citrus fruits, such as oranges or grapefruits, to create a cake with a different flavor.

Nutritional benefits

This mandarin and cream cheese cake is not only delicious but also offers nutritional benefits. Fresh cheese is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and vitamins, while mandarins are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, contributing to immune system health. The cream adds a note of indulgence, but when consumed in moderation, this dessert can be part of a balanced diet.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use another type of sugar? Yes, you can use brown sugar or natural sweeteners, but adjust the amount to taste.
2. How can I store the cake? It keeps well in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days.
3. Is baking the base necessary? Yes, the base adds a pleasant texture to the cake, but you can experiment with a no-bake base using crushed cookies as a foundation.

Serving and combinations

This mandarin and cream cheese cake is perfect served alongside a fruit tea or a fresh lemonade. Additionally, a glass of sweet white wine would perfectly complement this culinary experience.

I hope this recipe inspires you to try making this delicacy! I encourage you to experiment and enjoy every step of the cooking process. Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: Base: 3 eggs, 6 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons oil, vanilla essence, 3 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Cream: 250 g fresh cheese, 4-5 tablespoons powdered sugar, 25 g butter, orange essence, 3-4 tangerines, 1 teaspoon gelatin powder, 300 ml liquid cream.

 Tags:  cream cake cheese cake cake mandarins