Mandarin Orange Cake

By Addie

“We rarely ever let this cake get cool, because we liked it right from from the oven.”

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 × 9-inch baking pan.


Mix flour, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.


Combine mandarin oranges and egg in a medium bowl and mix well. Add to butter mixture and mix well. Spoon into prepared baking pan.


Combine coconut, pecans and brown sugar in a small bowl and mix well. Sprinkle on top of batter.


Bake cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Serve warm or cool to room temperature.

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Grandma's Secret Trick:

If she was baking for company or a special occasion, Grandma achieved a polished look for this cake by baking the cake in a 9-inch round cake pan, then placing the finished cake on a doily on a serving plate. If she was making the cake for everyday eating, she sometimes used a large loaf pan and added 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time.