Who doesn't love a good sponge cake? Whether you're feeling happy or sad, a slice of sponge cake can always lift your spirits. But making a sponge cake from scratch can seem intimidating, especially if you're not an experienced baker. However, fear not! This easy sponge cake recipe is perfect for beginners and is sure to impress your friends and family.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need: - 4 eggs - 1 cup of sugar - 1 cup of all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon of baking powder - 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract - Pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Baking Pan
Butter and flour a 9-inch (23cm) round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 3: Mix the Eggs and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until they are light and fluffy. This should take about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Flour and Baking Powder
Sift the flour and baking powder together and add them to the egg mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold the flour into the eggs until everything is well combined.
Step 5: Add the Vanilla Extract and Salt
Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to the batter and mix well.
Step 6: Pour into the Baking Pan
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 7: Bake
Bake the cake for around 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Nutrition
This easy sponge cake recipe makes around 8 servings. Here is the approximate nutritional information per serving: - Calories: 200 - Total fat: 3g - Saturated fat: 1g - Cholesterol: 93mg - Sodium: 60mg - Total carbohydrates: 39g - Dietary fiber: 0g - Sugars: 27g - Protein: 4g
Tips and Variations
- To make a chocolate sponge cake, substitute 1/4 cup of flour with 1/4 cup of cocoa powder. - You can also add lemon zest or orange zest to the batter for a citrusy twist. - To make a layered cake, double the recipe and bake two cakes. Once cooled, cut each cake in half horizontally and fill with your favorite frosting or jam. - If you don't have a round cake pan, you can use a square or rectangular one. Just adjust the baking time accordingly. - To make the cake extra fluffy, separate the egg whites from the yolks and beat the whites until stiff peaks form. Then, fold them into the batter at the end.
Conclusion
This easy sponge cake recipe is a classic dessert that everyone should know how to make. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a delicious and fluffy cake that will impress your guests. So, next time you're in the mood for something sweet, give this recipe a try!