Seeds of ½ vanilla pod, or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions
How to make mandarin orange cake
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat oven to 350 ºF [175 ºC].Grease the molds with butter (or cooking spray) and dust with flour the cake pan or mini-bundt tray. If you're using silicone molds, do not dust them with flour.
Step 2: Mix
Sift flour and baking soda together. Set aside.In a mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar over medium speed using the hand mixer or stand mixer and paddle attachment until it turns a lighter color (about 1 minute). Scrape the sides with a spatula midway to incorporate the unmixed parts that may stuck to the sides.
Step 3: Make the batter
Add eggs, one at a time, beating 30 seconds between each egg. Add the mandarine juice beating until the cake batter has been mixed in thoroughly.Increase the speed to maximum and add the flour in four portions, waiting until each quarter has been thoroughly incorporated before adding more.
Step 4: Prepare the pan
Add the zest. and fold it in with a spatula.Pour into the prepared pan(s).
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.Cool on a wire rack to room temperature before removing it from the pan.
How to make mandarin orange syrup and candied zest
Step 1: Make the syrup
To make the syrup and candied peels, wash the mandarine rind. Scrape off the white layer from the inside. Chop into very thin slivers.Mix 3 cups of water, juice, sugar, vanilla, and boil over very low heat until the liquid has reduced to half a cup (40-60 minutes).
How to serve mandarin orange cake
Step 1: Serving
When it's time to serve, drizzle the cakes with the syrup and serve garnished with the candied peels.
Cook's notes
In case you've never squeezed a mandarine before (I hadn't), just do it like a regular orange and remember to sieve before using.