Angel Food Cake
This is the angel food cake you make when you want something truly special with almost no effort. Light as air, perfectly sweet, and foolproof every time, it’s the kind of cake that feels elegant but so simple. Add whipped cream and fresh berries, and you have a dessert that everyone remembers. Mangia!
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
Cake
- 12 large egg whites room temperature (no yolk at all)
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar 224g, divided
- 1 cup cake flour 125g
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
- ⅓ cup warm water 79 ml
- 2 teaspoons lemon, orange extract, or vanilla
For Serving (Optional)
- Freshly whipped cream sweetened to taste
- Blueberry Sauce
- Strawberry Coulis
- Fresh berries
Instructions
Make the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pulse sugar in a food processor for about 2 minutes until superfine. Divide in half.
- Sift half of the sugar with the cake flour and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer with whisk attachment, beat egg whites, warm water, extract, and cream of tartar on medium speed until foamy.
- Slowly add the remaining sugar, a little at a time. Increase speed and whip until medium-stiff peaks form - glossy and soft but holding shape.
- Sift the flour mixture over the egg whites in small additions, gently folding with a spatula after each addition. Fold just until combined - do not overmix or you’ll deflate the batter.
- Pour batter into an ungreased angel food cake pan. Smooth the top gently.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until lightly golden and the top springs back.
- Immediately invert the pan and cool upside down for 1 hour to keep the cake tall and airy.
- Once fully cooled, run a knife around the edges to release.
To Serve
- Slice with a serrated knife
- Serve with freshly whipped cream
- Add a spoonful of blueberry sauce or strawberry coulis
- Finish with fresh berries
Notes
Elena’s Top Tips
- Room temperature egg whites give you the best volume
- Make sure your bowl and whisk are completely grease-free
- Fold gently to keep that airy texture
- Never grease the pan - this is what helps the cake rise properly
Nutrition
Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg
