Get your own box of sweet little Mandarins

Are you looking to expand your palate with citrus? Why not try out these mandarin orange desserts? They are sure to capture your imagination and your taste buds!

Mandarin oranges are the perfect fresh citrus flavor for summertime. Bright and refreshing, these small oranges are popular for snacking on whole or for enjoying as a snack out of a can or cup.

But while they are tasty on their own, they are also great for making some fresh summer desserts.

Keep reading for a few mandarin orange desserts you should try this summer.

1. Simple Mandarin Orange Dessert

This easy recipe is as simple as it is refreshing. And you may be able to prepare it with ingredients you already have waiting in your pantry.

To make it, simply combine a whole can of mandarin oranges, undrained, with a package of vanilla flavor instant pudding mix. Stir until the pudding mix has dissolved, then put it in the fridge for an hour to let it set. 

Top it with whip cream and serve!

2. Mandarin Orange Cake

Whether you need a summery birthday cake or just want to mix up your favorite yellow cake recipe, this mandarin orange cake is a tasty treat.

Start by preparing your favorite boxed yellow cake mix, following the cake's directions. Then, add an 11 ounce can of mandarin oranges in juice. Bake the cake as directed by the box.

While the cake is baking, prepare the topping. Mix an 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip with 1 small can of crushed pineapple and 1 small package of vanilla instant pudding mix. Allow your cake to cool before topping with your frosting. Then, place the cake in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.

3. Sparkling Mandarin-Orange Dessert

This fun twist on a cup of Jell-O is great for cooling off after a backyard picnic.

Start by bringing 1 cup of water to a boil. Then, add the boiling water to 2 packages of orange-flavored Jell-O. Stir in 2.5 cups of sparkling water, then scoop the Jell-O into champagne flutes or small dessert dishes.

Top the cups with mandarin orange and refrigerate for 2 hours. After 2 hours, mix 1 cup of Cool Whip Lite with 1/4 teaspoon of ground rep pepper. Spoon the mix over the Jell-O and serve.

4. Mandarin Orange Creme Carmel

This recipe for mandarin orange creme caramel has just 6 ingredients. 

You'll start by juicing and seating 3 mandarin oranges. Mix 6 tablespoons of the juice with 3/4 cups of sugar. Bring the combination to a boil, and swirl the pan to dissolve the sugar.

Let the mix continue to boil until it turns a dark amber color. Pour the now-caramel mix into a bread loaf pan. 

Take another saucepan and add 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 2 cups of whole milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Whisk together. Strain this mixture and pour it over the caramel. Place the bread loaf pan with your creation in a larger pan with hot water in it. Place both on the oven and allow to bake for 1 hour, or until the mixture has set.

Then, place the loaf pan in the fridge to cool and set.

Flip the pan upside down to drop the caramel on a place, slice, and serve.

Making Delicious Mandarin Orange Desserts

Any of these mandarin orange desserts would make for the perfect refreshing summer treat! Check out these delicious mandarin orange recipes as well!

Looking for more citrus fruit recipes this season? Visit more of our citrus blog for a variety of unique and flavorful citrus and orange recipes.

Try our seasonal citrus box while its available...the Craft Citrus Club!

Our Rio box is a 15-lb curated box of our fresh-harvested citrus from South Texas. The fruit is NOT gassed, rather it is tree-ripened. Our season runs from Nov-May for  oranges, grapefruit and mandarins.

Our Grande box is a 30-lb box of either fresh-harvested Rio Red Grapefruit or Sweet Oranges from South Texas.

If you want to try out our fresh-harvested Clementine Tangerine Box from South Texas, click here!