The first time I baked this, I was meant to be cleaning the kitchen. But there were clementines in the fruit bowl starting to wrinkle, and honestly, baking something citrusy sounded much more fun than wiping down the hob. I boiled the fruit too long the first time (the peel went bitter), then under-mixed the batter trying to be delicateโwhich made the layers a bit stodgy.
But once I nailed the texture and trusted the process (and stopped second-guessing the boiled clementine), it became the kind of cake I now make whenever the skyโs grey. The smell alone is enough to brighten your kitchen.
WHAT MAKES THIS RECIPE SPECIAL
This isnโt your average orange cakeโitโs warmer, spicier, and a bit more grown up.
- Whole boiled clementine โ Adds depth and oils from the peel, without bitterness (if you donโt overboil).
- Mixed spice and cinnamon โ Lend it a gentle festive hum thatโs subtle, not overpowering.
- Whipped citrus buttercream โ Light, creamy, and sharp with the leftover fruit pulp.
And the crystallised peel on top? Totally extraโbut in the best way.
INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER
- Whole clementine (1 large) โ Boiled, blitzed, and stirred into the batter. Adds moisture and bold flavour.
- Self-raising flour (275g) โ No need to add extra raising agents, itโs all-in-one.
- Mixed spice + cinnamon (1 tsp each) โ These lift the citrus flavour and give the cake warmth.
- Butter (225g for cake + 225g for icing) โ Use real butter, and make sure itโs soft. Margarine just wonโt do.
- Icing sugar (350g) โ For that fluffy, firm-enough-to-slice frosting.
- Marmalade (4 tbsp) โ Used to candy the peel. Thin-cut works bestโchunky gets in the way.
- Clementine peel (from 2 fruits) โ Sticky, sugary strips for a crunchy-sweet topping.
MAKING IT YOURS (WITHOUT RUINING IT)
- No clementines? Use satsumas or mandarinsโbut make sure theyโre seedless.
- Want to skip the peel? Go aheadโjust dust the top with icing sugar and maybe add a few zest curls.
- Gluten-free? Try a good-quality GF self-raising flourโI tested Doves Farm and it held up beautifully.
- Want it lighter? Swap half the butter in the icing for cream cheese. Slightly tangier, still luscious.
MISTAKES IโVE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Peel turned bitter | Boiled the clementine too long | 20 mins maxโcheck itโs soft but not mush |
Cake was dense | Overmixed after adding the clementine | Fold in gently at the end |
Icing split | Clementine pulp was too wet | Drain it slightly before adding |
HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโS CLEMENTINE CAKE
- Candy the peel
Peel 2 clementines. Slice the peel into thin strips. Heat marmalade with 2 tbsp water until melted, add peel, and simmer for 5 mins. Toss in sugar and leave to dry on a tray. - Boil the whole clementine
Cover it with water and boil for 20 mins until soft. Drain and cool. - Make the batter
Preheat oven to 180ยฐC (160ยฐC fan). Grease and line 2 x 20cm tins. Blitz the cooled clementine (seeds removed) in a processor. In a large bowl, beat butter, flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder, spices, and half the blitzed clementine until smooth. - Bake
Divide between tins and bake 25โ30 mins until golden and springy. Cool completely on a wire rack. - Make the icing
Beat butter with half the icing sugar and the remaining clementine pulp. Add rest of the sugar and whip until fluffy. - Assemble
Slice each cake in half to make 4 layers. Stack them with icing between each and on top. - Decorate
Arrange candied peel in a ring on top. Dust lightly with icing sugar.
TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN
- I boil the clementine while prepping everything elseโkills two birds.
- If the icing feels loose, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes before layering.
- I roll the peel while itโs still warmโit curls beautifully that way.
STORAGE + SERVING
- Fridge: Keep in a sealed tub for up to 3 days. The icing firms up, but the cake stays moist.
- Freezer: Freeze slices individually wrapped for up to 3 months.
- Defrosting: Let thaw at room temp. The icing may need a quick whip if serving as a full cake.
- Serve with: A hot cup of Earl Grey or, honestly, a glass of Prosecco.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I make this in advance?
A: Yes! The flavour deepens by the next day. Just keep it covered in the fridge.
Q: Do I need to use a food processor for the clementine?
A: It helps, but you can finely chop it by hand if neededโjust make sure itโs soft and seedless.
Q: Can I use orange zest instead of the whole fruit?
A: Technically yesโbut the boiled whole fruit gives this cake its unique texture and flavour.
Q: Is this icing really sweet?
A: Itโs balanced by the citrus, but if youโre sugar-sensitive, use less icing sugar or swap in a bit of cream cheese.
Try More Recipes:
Mary Berry Clementine Cake
Course: CakesCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy8
servings20
minutes30
minutes307.9
kcalMoist, warmly spiced, and laced with real citrus, this clementine cake is a bright and elegant bake with layers of soft sponge and silky buttercream. Crystallised peel on top adds crunch and sparkleโperfect for birthdays, brunches, or just because itโs the weekend.
Ingredients
- For the decoration:
2 clementines, peeled
4 tbsp thin-cut orange marmalade
115g granulated sugar
- For the cake:
1 large whole clementine
225g butter (softened)
275g self-raising flour
275g caster sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
- For the icing:
225g butter (softened)
350g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
Directions
- Peel 2 clementines, slice peel thinly. Simmer with marmalade + water, then toss in sugar and dry.
- Boil the whole clementine 20 mins, drain and cool.
- Preheat oven to 180ยฐC/160ยฐC fan. Grease and line 2 x 20cm tins.
- Blitz clementine. Mix all cake ingredients with half the fruit purรฉe until smooth.
- Divide into tins. Bake 25โ30 mins. Cool completely.
- Beat butter with icing sugar + remaining purรฉe. Whip until fluffy.
- Halve cakes to make 4 layers. Ice between and on top.
- Decorate with sugared peel and dust with icing sugar.
Notes
- Only boil the clementine until softโany longer and it goes bitter.
- Use thin-cut marmalade to avoid chewy peel chunks.
- Chill the cake for 20 mins before slicing for neater layers.