Clementine Cake

Updated November 30, 2015

Media 1 of 1
Total Time
3¾ hours
Rating
5(1,402)
Comments
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This dessert, loosely based on a Sephardic orange cake, uses whole clementines, peels and all, for a flavor rich in citrus. The cooking time may seem long, but much of it doesn’t require much attention from the baker. And the first step, reducing the fruit, may be done ahead of time. John Willoughby

Featured in: In the Kitchen With Clémentine and Ruth

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Ingredients

Yield:8 to 12 servings
  • 5 medium clementines (about 375 grams)

  • Spray cooking oil

  • 6 large eggs

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 2 cups almond flour or very finely ground blanched almonds

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • Powdered sugar, chocolate glaze or candied clementines, for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 to 12 servings)

31 grams carbs; 112 milligrams cholesterol; 288 calories; 2 grams monosaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 16 grams fat; 3 grams fiber; 264 milligrams sodium; 9 grams protein; 26 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place whole unpeeled clementines in a large pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer gently for 2 hours, adding more water as needed. Remove clementines with a slotted spoon and, once cool enough to handle, halve and remove any seeds or other hard bits. Purée in a food processor or blender and set aside. (May be done up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.)

  2. Step 2

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking oil, line bottom with parchment paper and spray paper with oil.

  3. Step 3

    In a large bowl, whisk the eggs together with the sugar, salt and clementine purée. Add the almond flour and baking powder and stir until just combined.

  4. Step 4

    Pour into prepared pan and bake until edges are golden brown and starting to pull away from sides of pan, about 1 hour. Transfer to wire rack set over baking sheet. After 10 minutes, run a knife around edge of pan to loosen cake; remove cake from pan. Peel off parchment paper and return cake to wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with dusting of powdered sugar, or with chocolate glaze and/or candied clementines.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
1,402 user ratings
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Comments

My clementines were small, and I wondered how many to use, so I found the apparent original recipe from Nigella Lawson, which called for 375 grams. That's about 13.25 ounces, which turned out to be 8 clementines. The cake turned out well, perfect for a gluten-fearing guest, who asked for the recipe. The ganache was perfect, but I candied the clementines more simply, simmering very low for about 1 hour, cooling in the simple syrup, drying after on parchment. Cake looked like a magazine cover

After the clementines are simmered do you peel them? Or purée them with the peel? It's not clear in the recipe

What is your best recommendation for a substitute for almond flour? Would ratios change if I used regular wheat flour or cake flour? I have a nut allergy and sadly cannot have any tree nuts.

I used 7.25 ounces of almond flour and 1.5 cups of puree. I also reduced the sugar to 2/3 cup, added 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and used a regular 9 x 2 inch cake pan. I beat the eggs and sugar until very frothy before adding the puree and folding in the flour. Finally, I made only a half recipe of the glaze which was plenty.

my go-to dessert to bring to gatherings for how easy and elegant it is.

This has become THE family favorite! I make it for special occasions and even made a 3-tiered version for my daughter’s wedding. I make extra purée in winter and freeze it. It is absolutely scrumptious!

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Credits

Adapted from Dawn Datso

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