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This mango cake is bursting with fresh mango flavor! It has surprisingly simple ingredients (ONLY 9 TOTAL!) but it is a show stopper – and truly tastes as good as it looks.
This mango cake is a close relative of our wildly popular strawberry sponge cake. The fresh sweet mangos really shine in this recipe. Serve this at your next party and you will get plenty of compliments!
Watch How to Make this Mango Cake Recipe:
Mango is the real star of this cake so make sure to pick some good, sweet ripe ones (see video tutorial on selecting the perfect mango below). Mangos add a beautiful pop of color, incredible flavor, and a healthy boost of nutrients to the cake.
We just love mangos in our family and thankfully they are available year-round to satisfy the craving when it hits!
Ingredients for Sponge Cake:
6 large eggs, room temp
1 cup (210 grams) granulated sugar
1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour *measured correctly
1/2 tsp baking powder
Mango Cake Filling/ Topping:
1 lb or 2 medium fresh mangos, peeled and thinly sliced into strips
1 lb or 2 medium fresh mangos (1 1/2 cups puréed )
1 to 4 Tbsp sugar, if needed
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting:
16 oz cream cheese (2 packages), softened
1 cup (16 Tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
How to Make the Sponge Cake (Click for Video Tutorial):
Prep: Pre-heat oven to 350˚F. Line the bottoms of two 9″ cake pans with parchment (do not grease pans).
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat 6 eggs on high speed 1 min until foamy. Gradually add 1 cup sugar then continue beating on high for 8 min. It will be whipped and forming thick ribbons when you pull up the whisk.
Cooks Tip: This classic European sponge cake relies on the volume of beaten eggs to rise so do not rush the mixing step. If you’re new to sponge cakes, watch our video tutorial first.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour and 1/2 tsp baking powder. Sift flour into batter 1/3 at a time, folding between each addition. Fold just until no flour streaks remain, scraping the bottom to catch any hidden pockets of flour. Divide evenly between prepared cake pans and bake at 350˚F for 23-28 min (my oven takes 25 min). Tops should be golden brown and spring back when poked slightly.
3. Run a knife or thin spatula around edges to loosen and invert onto wire rack. Peel back parchment paper right away. Place cakes right side up and cool to room temperature before cutting in half.
How to Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, combine 16 oz cream cheese, 1 cup butter, 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar and 2 tsp vanilla. Beat on low to combine then increase to high and beat 5-6 mins, scraping down the bowl as needed. Frosting should be whipped, soft and spreadable. Transfer 1 cup frosting to piping bag fitted with large open star tip and refrigerate until ready to use for the topping.
How to Cut a Mango:
1. A mango has one long, flat seed in the center of the fruit that goes from stem to nose. Slice off the sides around the seeds of all 4 whole mangos resulting in 8 halves. Set aside 4 halves – you will need them to decorate the top. Dice remaining 4 halves and scoop them out of their skin then transfer these to a blender and process until puréed. Taste the mango purée and add sugar to taste if needed.
Watch how to pick a good mango:
A ripe mango is determined more by how it feels than how it looks. It can look completely green and be ripe. It should give a little when you push on the outsides similar to how an avocado would feel when it is ripe. It should not be bruised or feel squishy.
How to Assemble the Mango Cake:
1. Place the first sliced cake layer on a platter and spread with 1/2 cup mango purée. On the second cake layer, spread 1/2 cup frosting and place it frosting-side-down on the first layer so the cream and mango are hugging. Repeat with remaining layers then cover top and sides with remaining frosting. Pipe reserved frosting around the top border of your cake.
2. Peel and thinly slice 4 reserved mango halves, cutting some strips long ways and some wide. Layer mango slices in rings around the cake, starting with the longest pieces and overlapping each piece slightly until only a 1/2″ space is left in the center. Roll a long, thin strip of mango into a coil and place it in the center. Cake can be served right away or refrigerated 2 hours for easier slicing. It keeps well covered and refrigerated up to 3 days.
Tips for a Tastier Mango Cake:
Be sure to taste your mangos and mango filling. Sometimes you may end up with a bland mango (or even a bad mango). If your filling tastes bland, you can spruce it up with a little sugar and/or lemon juice.
Layer after layer of mangos and cream. It doesn’t get much better than this mango cake!
Mango Cake Recipe (VIDEO)

Ingredients
For the Easy Sponge Cake:
- 6 large eggs, room temp
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
For the Mango Cake Filling/ Topping:
- 1 lb fresh mangos, (2 medium) peeled and thinly sliced into strips
- 1 lb fresh mangos, (2 medium) 1 1/2 cups puréed
- 1 to 4 Tbsp sugar, if needed
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 16 oz cream cheese, 2 packages, softened
- 1 cup unsalted butter, (16 Tbsp), softened
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
How to Make the Sponge Cake (Click for Video Tutorial):
Prep: Pre-heat oven to 350˚F. Line the bottoms of two 9" cake pans with parchment (do not grease).
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk, beat 6 eggs on high speed 1 min until foamy. Gradually add 1 cup sugar then continue beating on high for 8 min. It will be whipped and forming thick ribbons when you pull up the whisk.*
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour and 1/2 tsp baking powder.
- Sift flour into batter 1/3 at a time, folding between each addition, just until no flour streaks remain. Scrape from the bottom to catch any hidden flour pockets. Divide evenly between prepared cake pans and bake at 350˚F for 23-28 min (my oven takes 25 min). Tops should be golden brown and spring back when poked lightly.
- Run a knife or thin spatula around edges to loosen and invert onto wire rack. Peel back parchment paper right away and let cakes cool right-side-up to room temp before cutting them in half.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, combine 16 oz cream cheese, 1 cup butter, 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar and 2 tsp vanilla. Beat on low to combine then increase to high and beat 5-6 mins, scraping down the bowl as needed. Frosting should be whipped, soft and spreadable. Transfer 1 cup frosting to piping bag fitted with large open star tip and refrigerate until ready to use for the topping.
How to Cut Mango:
- A mango has one long, flat seed in the center of the fruit that goes from stem to nose. Slice off the sides around the seeds of all 4 whole mangos resulting in 8 halves. Set aside 4 halves - you will need them to decorate the top. Dice remaining 4 halves and scoop them out of their skin then transfer these to a blender and process until puréed. Taste the mango purée and add sugar to taste if needed.
How to Assemble the Mango Cake:
- Place the first sliced cake layer on a platter and spread with 1/2 cup mango purée. On the second cake layer, spread 1/2 cup frosting and place it frosting-side-down on the first layer so the cream and mango are hugging. Repeat with remaining layers then cover top and sides with remaining frosting. Pipe reserved frosting around the top border of your cake.
- Peel and thinly slice 4 reserved mango halves, cutting some strips long way and some wide. Layer mango slices in rings around the cake, starting with the longest pieces and overlapping each piece slightly until only a 1/2" space is left in the center. Roll a long thin strip of mango into a coil and place it in the center. Cake can be served right away or refrigerated 2 hours for easier slicing. It keeps well covered and refrigerated up to 3 days.
Notes
our video tutorial first
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Awful taste. The mango does not go well with this cake. Will not make! Being fair to those who will make it the first time for their guests, don’t do it! Tastes awful
Like most of Natasha’s recipes, but this one is very unsuccessful.
Hi Emily, I’m sorry it didn’t turn out for you. Did you by chance taste the mango to make sure it was good before adding it to the cake? It could be that you had a bad mango which can throw the flavors off. That has happened to me in the past which is why I always taste the mangos before using them in any recipe.
I’m a professional baker and yes, I tasted the mango before using it. My friend also tried this recipe and wasn’t happy with the taste. Suggest making it, trying it to make sure you like the blend, because my family didn’t want to eat it. For those who liked it, good for you. We are used to super tasty cakes 🙂 Good job on the other recipes, Natasha, you’re doing a great job!
Thank you for sharing that with us, Emily!
Hi Natasha! I made this cake for my family and friends and they loved it. It’s a great recipe and the flavor it’s amazing. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Blessings
Super! So great to hear that Claudia, this recipe is one of our favorites too, thanks for giving a great feedback.
I made this cake about 10 times now and everybody loves it! It goes away in no time. People ask for a recipe and some people even asked me to make it for sale.
I think your issue with the cake must have been due to “pilot error”! I made this cake for a family reunion and it was a HUGE hit! Everyone commented that I should have made two because it went so fast and no one had an opportunity for seconds!
We made this for my husband’s birthday and were licking the plates! Thank you for this recipe. I can see it being a family favorite, easily
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
I made this cake. was a big hit in my house. will definitely make it again.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Joseph!
Hi Natasha,
I just made your mango cake for a friend’s daughter’s 1st birthday, and it was a big hit! The cake turned out amazing and the mango flavor really shines through. I used your recipe for whipped cream frosting from your ‘Russian tirimisu’ post because I wanted something ‘lighter’ than cream cheese buttercream. Will definitely be making it again – in fact, I got many requests at the party to make it for other special occasions.
Thanks so much Natasha for the delicious recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m happy you all enjoyed that! Happy birthday to your daughter!
Hi,
I love your recipes. I want to make this cake for my child’s birthday, can I make it in the evening, a day before the birthday?
Thanks
Hi! Yes, and it helps to refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.
Thank you Natasha ❤️
The cake was soooo delicious. Everybody really loved it and thought it was a bakery cake 😮
I love the way you explain each thing, you make the process so simple ❤️
Hi,can you tell me the recipe for 5inch pan?
Hi! I haven’t tested that in a 5-inch pan but here is what one of our readers wrote about using a 6-inch pan “I just made this cake for my husband’s birthday tomorrow. I divided the recipe in half and made little 6inch sponge cakes.” I hope that help.
Hi, do sponge cakes hold up well? Can I make a tall 6″ cake with this recipe and use the cream cheese frosting insude but frost outside with ermine or flour buttercream to make decorating easier?
I haven’t tested that specifically but I think that should work. We have made so many cakes with the sponge cake base! If you experiment, please let me know how you like the recipe.
Hi Natasha,
How would the sponge cake recipe change for a 10″ cake pan?
Thanks!
Irene
Hi Irene, I would bake for slightly less time since the cake layers will be thinner.
Can I substitute the vanilla extract in the cream cheese frosting with mango extract?
I haven’t tested that but I think that should work! If you experiment please let me know how you like this recipe!
Hi,
Can I make the mango puree ahead of time to assemble the cake at the destination or will it turn brown?
Thank you,
Shea
Hi Shea, the sugar will help to prevent browning but also, make sure you store it without any air touching it; i.e. place it in a ziploc bag and push out all the air before sealing. Air is what will cause the browning.
Hello Natasha. I was wondering is that too sweet for the frosting? What if I cut down the powdered sugar? Thanks
Hi Kim, we also don’t appreciate overly sweet desserts and found this to be the right balance of sweet to tangy mango.
Hi Natasha,
Thanks for the recipe! As I did not find fresh mangoes available, I bought sweetened mango puree’ from the store. I was wondering whether I should cut down the amount of sugar in the cream cheese or the sponge cake to tone down the overall sweetness.
Hi Pinaki, without testing that I cannot advise, if you experiment however please let me know how you like that!
Hi Natasha, my cake turned out very rough. The cake itself wasn’t very good what could i have done wrong? It tasted bumpy.
Hi Iris, I am always happy to help troubleshoot. If the cake does not rise properly (due to under-beating eggs and sugar usually), there won’t be much of a sponge cake to absorb the moisture and it may end up dense. Were any substitutions or changes made?
Hi Natasha,
I’m hoping to make this cake this weekend, but I only have one cake pan. Is it okay to make one layer first, cool it, then make the second layer?/How long do you recommend leaving it to cool?
Thanks so much!
Hi Jane, with the sponge cake, it is definitely best to bake right away after the batter is made. It could deflate and not rise properly if you left the batter out that long. If making in 1 pan at a time, it would be best to make the cake batter twice (making half the recipe each time for a single layer). You can also use 1 9″ cake pan and 1 9″ springform pan if you have one of those on hand.
Hi,
There isn’t a large selection of fresh mangoes where I live. Can I use frozen mangoes for any part of this recipe?
Hi Christina! I think that would be a good substitute for the puree, just be sure to taste the puree and add sugar to taste – sometimes frozen can be tart. You will definitely want to use fresh on top though. I hope you love it!!
I made this cake for my son’s first birthday and it came out dry. I followed step by step instructions however the cake inside was too dry. I made the strawberry cake many times and it came out most, so I was hoping for the same but unfortunately it did not.
Hi Sabina, I am always happy to help troubleshoot. Normally the mango puree adds plenty of moisture (and we sure love moist cakes!), but if the cake does not rise properly (due to under-beating eggs and sugar usually), there won’t be much of a sponge cake to absorb the moisture and it may end up dense. Substituting whipping cream for cream cheese would cause the frosting to not sit well since the cream cheese will help stabilize the frosting.
Hey Natasha,
I just made this cake for my husband’s birthday tomorrow. I divided the recipe in half and made little 6inch sponge cakes. However.. when i was layering the cake.. i realized my cake started to tilt/slide one way. I don’t know why but i did follow your instructions.
Hi Arrej! Did it seem to slide due to a soft cream or too much mango filling between the layers? Resting it in the refrigerator may help with firming that up a bit.
Can I use mango pulp instead of liquifying the mango?
Hi Cassie, yes that will still work.
Hi Natasha, I watched the cake in the oven and it deflated in the centre at the 8-minute mark. There is a shallow crater in the cake as it continues to bake. Is that normal?
Hi Kiki! Usually the cake doesn’t rise due to under beating eggs and sugar. Was anything altered with this recipe?
I used one of the reader’s comments and halved the recipe for a six-inch cake. I beat the egg and sugar batter for 11 minutes using a hand mixer. When baking in the oven, the batter rose. But after 8 minutes, I watched it deflate. I wasn’t very happy with the shallow crater but everyone who ate the cake thought it was delicious. The sponge is full of holes and tasted a bit chewy. Is that how European sponge is supposed to be?
It may be a measurement issue when altering that. Or possibly not enough volume to the eggs and sugar when beating. I’m happy to hear everyone thought it was delicious! That’s so great!
Wanted to make this again today but Walmart didn’t have mangos so I grabbed some peaches instead.. do you think it’d still turn out the same if I substituted peaches for the mangos?
Hi Lidiya, peaches tend to discolor more than mangos so it probably wouldn’t keep as well unless you simmered the pureed peaches with lemon juice and sugar to keep it from discoloring too much. Dont boil peach puree over too high of heat since that can also cause it to darken. Let me know if you experiment with peaches!
Hi Natasha, I loved the pictures of mango cake and tried it. I followed everything to the T, but cake turned out very dry. It wasn’t much of sponge cake. I had to substitute whipping cream for cream cheese and the frosting didnt sit too well. Quite disappointed. Was wondering what could have happened.
Hi AMD, I am always happy to help troubleshoot. Normally the mango puree adds plenty of moisture (and we sure love moist cakes!), but if the cake does not rise properly (due to underbeating eggs and sugar usually), there won’t be much of a sponge cake to absorb the moisture and it may end up dense. Substituting whipping cream for cream cheese would cause the frosting to not sit well since the cream cheese will help stabilize the frosting.
Super yummylicious Natasha. Made it yesterday and it’s a hit.
Can’t thank you enough. You are making me like a pro.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Hi Natasha!
I just want to let you know that I made this cake yesterday for my husband’s birthday party and it was a HUGE hit!! Everyone wanted seconds and complained that I should have made more than one!! LOL! Thanks so much for this great recipe and for the helpful step-by-step tutorial that made it a fool-proof success!
Hi Cindy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Hi, I want to make this cake for my daughters birthday but how much ahead of time I can make it ?
Thanks
I have made this a day ahead and it turned out great. Taste your mango and if it tastes sweet and good (not overly ripe), you shouldn’t have any issues with it lasting until the next day.