Mandarin Orange Cake - Olga's Flavor Factory

Ingredients

• 8 eggs (separated, room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (divided)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2-1 teaspoon mandarin or orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 8 0z. packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (more or less to taste)
• 2 Tablespoons orange or mandarin liqueur
• 1 teaspoon orange or mandarin zest
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (chilled)
• 2-3 15 oz each cans mandarin oranges (1 cup syrup saved)
• 4 Tablespoons orange or mandarin liqueur
• 1/2 Tablespoon orange or mandarin zest