Citrus-Licious Mandarin Orange Cheesecake
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Citrus-Licious Mandarin Orange Cheesecake, a perfect blend of creamy cheesecake and refreshing mandarin oranges. This dessert starts with a soft cake base, layered with a smooth and luscious cream cheese filling that is enhanced with subtle hints of orange and lemon. Topped with a vibrant mandarin orange glaze and a crunchy hazelnut crust, each slice of this cheesecake offers a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave your guests craving more. Perfect for celebrations or a sweet escape any day!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
1/4 cup (Sifted)
Baking powder
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
Salt
1 pinch (N/A)
Butter
2 tablespoons (Softened)
Granulated sugar
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (for nut crust) (Divided)
Milk
2 tablespoons + 1/2 cup (for Dream Whip) (Regular)
Vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon + 1 teaspoon (for cream cheese filling) (Divided)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Unflavored gelatin
1 envelope + 1 teaspoon (Powdered)
Boiling water
1 cup (Hot)
Dream Whip
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope (N/A)
Cream cheese
3 (8 ounce) packages (Softened)
Orange extract
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
Lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon (Freshly squeezed)
Yellow food coloring
5 drops (N/A)
Red food coloring
1 drop (N/A)
Mandarin oranges
2 (15 ounce) cans (In light syrup, drained)
Shortening
1/4 cup (N/A)
Powdered sugar
1/2 cup (N/A)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
To prepare the cake layer, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. In a separate medium bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients followed by the milk, vanilla extract, and egg until well combined.
3
Pour the cake batter into a well-greased 9-inch springform pan (or line with parchment paper) and gently tap the pan on the counter to even out the batter. Bake for 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool.
4
For the cream cheese filling, combine the unflavored gelatin and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Pour in the boiling water and stir until the gelatin completely dissolves. Set mixture aside.
5
Prepare the Dream Whip topping by whipping the contents with 1/2 cup of milk in another bowl until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
6
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with vanilla extract, orange extract, lemon juice, and food coloring until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the gelatin mixture while continuing to beat. Fold in half of the prepared Dream Whip, mixing until smooth.
7
Pour the cream cheese filling over the cooled cake in the springform pan and smooth out the top. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until fully set.
8
After the filling has set, prepare the mandarin orange topping. Drain the liquid from the mandarin oranges, reserving about 1/2 cup. Heat the reserved liquid in the microwave until hot, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of unflavored gelatin until dissolved, and then mix with the mandarin orange wedges. Carefully pour this mixture over the cheesecake.
9
Next, make the crunchy hazelnut crust. In a small saucepan, combine 1 tablespoon of water and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils. Add the hazelnuts, stirring to coat. Once the water evaporates and the sugar begins to caramelize lightly, continue stirring until the nuts are golden brown. Spread the nut mixture on a plate to cool, then chop finely in a food processor.
10
To prepare the icing, combine the shortening with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
11
Once the mandarin orange topping has set, remove the cheesecake from the springform pan. Use a spatula to spread the icing around the edges and then press the chopped hazelnuts onto the icing. Chill for an additional hour before slicing into 8 servings and serving chilled.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citrus-Licious Mandarin Orange Cheesecake?
It is a layered dessert featuring a soft cake base, a creamy orange-lemon flavored cream cheese filling, a mandarin orange glaze topping, and a crunchy hazelnut-encrusted edge.
How many servings does this cheesecake recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to yield 8 servings.
What oven temperature is required for the cake base?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
What size pan should I use for this cheesecake?
A 9-inch springform pan is recommended for this recipe.
How long does the cake layer need to bake?
The cake base should be baked for approximately 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Is this a completely no-bake cheesecake recipe?
No, while the filling and topping are set in the refrigerator, the base layer is a baked sponge cake.
How many packages of cream cheese are needed?
The recipe calls for three 8-ounce packages of softened cream cheese.
What is Dream Whip and how is it used here?
Dream Whip is a whipped topping mix. In this recipe, one envelope is whipped with milk and folded into the cream cheese mixture to add lightness.
How do you achieve the orange color in the filling?
The filling uses a combination of 5 drops of yellow food coloring and 1 drop of red food coloring to create a citrus hue.
What extracts provide the citrus flavor in the filling?
The filling is flavored with vanilla extract, orange extract, and a small amount of fresh lemon juice.
How much gelatin is used in the entire recipe?
The recipe requires one full envelope of unflavored gelatin for the filling and an additional teaspoon for the mandarin topping.
How long must the cheesecake chill before adding the mandarin topping?
The cream cheese layer should chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until it is fully set.
How is the mandarin orange topping made?
It is made by dissolving gelatin in hot reserved mandarin liquid and mixing it with the orange wedges before pouring over the set cheesecake.
What kind of mandarin oranges should I buy?
The recipe specifies two 15-ounce cans of mandarin oranges in light syrup, which should be drained.
How do you make the crunchy hazelnut crust for the edges?
Hazelnuts are coated in a boiling water and sugar mixture, caramelized in a pan until golden brown, cooled, and then finely chopped.
What is the purpose of the shortening in this recipe?
Shortening is used to make the icing that acts as an adhesive for the chopped hazelnuts around the edges of the cake.
How do you apply the hazelnuts to the side of the cake?
After the cheesecake is removed from the pan, spread icing around the edges and press the finely chopped caramelized hazelnuts into the icing.
Does the recipe require salt?
Yes, a pinch of salt is added to the dry ingredients of the cake base.
What ingredients are in the icing?
The icing consists of shortening, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
How long is the final chill time after assembly?
The cheesecake should be chilled for an additional hour after the hazelnuts and icing are applied before serving.
Can I use butter instead of shortening for the edge icing?
While the recipe specifies shortening for stability, butter can often be substituted in icing, though it may be softer at room temperature.
Is the gelatin dissolved in cold or hot water?
The gelatin for the filling must be stirred into one cup of boiling water until completely dissolved.
Do I need to sift the flour?
Yes, the recipe recommends using 1/4 cup of sifted all-purpose flour for the cake base.
Can I use a food processor for the hazelnut crust?
Yes, once the caramelized hazelnuts have cooled and hardened, a food processor is used to chop them finely.
What makes this cheesecake citrus-flavored?
The citrus profile comes from orange extract, fresh lemon juice, and the mandarin orange topping.
Should the egg be beaten before adding to the cake batter?
Yes, the recipe calls for one beaten egg to be mixed into the cake base ingredients.
How do I ensure the cake base doesn't stick to the pan?
You should use a well-greased springform pan or line the bottom with parchment paper.
Can this recipe be prepared for a holiday?
Yes, its vibrant appearance and rich flavor make it ideal for celebrations and holiday desserts.
What texture should the Dream Whip have?
The Dream Whip should be whipped with milk until it forms stiff peaks.
Should the cheesecake be served cold or at room temperature?
The cheesecake should be served chilled for the best texture and flavor.