Warming Clementine Cake

Our answer

Nigella's Clementine Cake (from How To Eat and on the Nigella website) does freeze very well and should be unwrapped and thawed on a wire rack at room temperature for 4 to 5 hours. We have not tried reheating the cake as it is very good if served at room temperature however individual slices could be reheated in a microwave. We would suggest trying 10-second blasts on full power in the microwave, checking the cake after each blast until it is as warm as you want it. You may also be able to reheat slices in an oven, on a baking sheet, preheated to 180c/350F for 8 to 10 minutes. However the oven will tend to dry out the cake a little.

Reheating a whole cake would take quite a while and there is a good chance that the cake would dry out a little. If you wanted to serve a whole warm cake then you may find it easiest to cook and puree the clementines in advance and cook the cake on the day. Freeze the puree for up to 3 months and when you want to make the cake thaw the frozen puree overnight in the fridge and let it come to room temperature (or warm slightly) before using. The cake is quick to mix up and then you could bake the cake a couple of hours ahead and leave it in a warm place until you need it.