Orange Charlotte Cake (No Bake Recipe) – The Bossy Kitchen (2024)

Published by: Gabriela November 1, 2023 · Last modified: November 8, 2023 9 Comments

This Orange Charlotte Cake is an easy, light, delicious no bake recipe that can be made all year round when you need to make a dessert but you do not want to bake. This is a Charlotte Cake built upside down, refrigerated overnight, and flipped on a cake platter the next day, so the oranges become the face and the decoration of the cake.

This recipe comes from my collection of Cakes and Entremets where you can find an abundance of no bake recipes, like this Chocolate Biscuit Cake, or Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake. It was also featured in this collection of 10 Delicious New Year's Cake Ideas.

🍰 What is an Orange Charlotte Cake?

As the name already indicates, this is a sister version of the popular Charlotte Cake. This type of cake is also known as Charlotte Russe Cake and is a sweet treat made by lining a mold with ladyfingers and filling it up with fruit, custard, or mousse.

Coming from Europe, these cakes are not only tasty but also pretty to look at, making them a delightful centerpiece for special occasions. These are the main characteristics of my cake:

• No-Bake and Upside-Down Design: This cake requires no baking, just setting in the fridge. The upside-down design comes from arranging orange slices at the bottom of the pan, which, when flipped post-setting, become the beautiful top decoration.
• Orange Mousse Interior: It is enriched with whipped cream, an orange custard stabilized with gelatin for a delightful citrusy bite.
• Ladyfinger Layers : The lady fingers mimic traditional cake layers in between the orange mousse.
• Ideal for Non-Bakers and Hot Summers: A light, beautiful dessert perfect for impressing guests without heating the oven.

📝 Key Ingredients:

• Medium Oranges: These add a fresh, citrusy flavor and form the beautiful top decoration when the cake is unmolded.
• Egg Yolks: They contribute to the richness and texture of the mousse filling.
• Orange Juice: Adds a citrus zing to the mousse, enhancing the orange flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the mousse, balancing the tanginess of the oranges.
• Salt: A pinch to enhance the flavors.
• Orange Zest: Brings in additional citrus aroma and flavor.
• Unflavored Gelatin: Helps set the mousse to the right consistency.
• Cold Water: Used for blooming the gelatin, ensuring it dissolves smoothly.
• Heavy Cream: Whipped to create a light, airy texture for the mousse.
• Ladyfingers: Create soft, cake-like layers, adding a delightful texture contrast. Sponge cake or biscuit slices are good substitutes if ladyfingers are unavailable.

🍓 Can I use some other fruits instead of oranges?

Absolutely, you can experiment with various fruits and their juices. Berries are an option, but also blood oranges or a mix with regular ones would have a dramatic effect on the cake. You could replace orange juice with strawberry or canned pineapple juice.

NOTE: Avoid using pineapple, kiwi, papaya, or mango in their raw form as they contain bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down the gelatin, preventing the cake from setting. Instead of a firm cake, you'll end up with a "soup" cake. Trust me, I learned this lesson early in my baking career, having to scoop up the cake with spoons from soup bowls.

🧑‍🍳 How to make this Orange Charlotte Cake:

I cannot wait to show you how to make this super easy Charlotte Cake with oranges, so let's proceed:

For the full list of ingredients and amounts please scroll to the printable recipe card.

Step 3. Cover the bottom and sides of springform pan with orange slices.

Grab the springform pan and place the orange slices on the bottom of the pan and the sides of the springform pan.(Image 3)

Tip: Try to choose orange slices that are pretty enough, as that layer will basically be the decoration on top of the cake.

🥣 Make the filling for the cake:

Step 1. Hydrate the gelatin.

The gelatin needs hydration. For 2 ½ tablespoons, you will need more or less ½ cup of cold water. While the gelatin is hydrating, cook the filling.

Step 2. Make the orange egg yolk custard.

Separate eggs, placing yolks in a saucepan with orange juice, salt, sugar, and zest. (Save egg whites for a Walnut Meringue Cake With Chocolate Mousse)(Image 1)

On medium-low heat, cook the mixture in the saucepan, stirring until it thickens, ready when it coats a spoon and holds a line drawn by a finger. (Images 2,3,4)

See Also

31 Recipes That Prove Sweetened Condensed Milk Is The Best Stuff On EarthRecipes by Cooking Style | Taste of HomeCream Puff Cake Dessert RecipeGluten-Free Vegan Upside-Down Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

Step 3. Combine the custard and whipped cream.

Remove from heat, add gelatin, stirring well for full incorporation, and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, whip the heavy cream using an electric mixer. (Image 5)

Incorporate the whipped cream into the orange cream and mix well.(Image 6)

⚒️ How to assemble the cake:

Step 1. Alternate the filling with lady fingers to create layers.

Pour half of the filling over the oranges you placed in the springform.(Image 1)

On top of that filling, place half of the ladyfingers. The ladyfingers will mimic the "cake" layer.(Image 2)

Repeat with the remaining mousse and ladyfingers, which will form the cake's bottom when flipped upside down.

Your cake should look like this now:

I did serve it as it was, but some people add a dollop of whipped cream to each slice.

🙋‍♀️ Recipe Faqs:

🍮 No Bake Desserts:

Are you interested in more no bake desserts? Check out my 31 Decadent No-Bake Pies, 30 Best Trifle Dessert Recipes or these 30 No-Bake Cheesecake Recipes. Plenty of opportunities here to share a wonderful dessert with your family and friends!

More recipes to enjoy:

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