Baking · serves 2

Mandarin Upside Down Cake

Caramel and mandarin slices in the bottom of the tin, cake poured over, flipped hot.

65 min Some work Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 60g butter
  • 100g brown sugar
  • 2 tins mandarin segments, drained well
  • 250g plain flour
  • 200g sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 240ml milk
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 100ml sunflower oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

  1. Melt the butter and brown sugar together and pour into a lined 23cm tin.
  2. Arrange the mandarin segments over it in circles. Drain them properly or the base goes to syrup.
  3. Milk and vinegar, 5 minutes.
  4. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, then add the soured milk, oil and vanilla.
  5. Pour gently over the fruit.
  6. 180°C for 40 minutes.
  7. Ten minutes in the tin, then turn out while still warm. Leave it longer and the caramel welds it in.

Questions people ask about Mandarin Upside Down Cake

How long does Mandarin Upside Down Cake take?

About 65 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of maida in Mandarin Upside Down Cake?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Mandarin Upside Down Cake ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Mandarin Upside Down Cake vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for Mandarin Upside Down Cake?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Mandarin Upside Down Cake?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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