Description
Follow this recipe to create the ultimate light and airy Homemade Angel Food Cake. This classic dessert relies on perfectly whipped egg whites to achieve its signature fluffy texture. It is wonderful served simply with fresh summer berries and a dollop of whipped cream.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups egg whites (about 10-12 large eggs), room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 1/2 cups superfine granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup cake flour, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Do not grease your 10-inch tube pan (the one with the removable bottom).
- In a large, very clean bowl, beat the room temperature egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed until foamy.
- Add the cream of tartar and salt. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add 1 cup of the superfine sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition until stiff, glossy peaks form. Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup of superfine sugar with the sifted cake flour until combined.
- Gently fold the flour-sugar mixture into the egg white meringue in thirds using a spatula. Be careful not to deflate the air you whipped into the whites.
- Carefully spoon the batter into the ungreased tube pan. Run a knife through the batter to release any large air pockets.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top springs back lightly when touched.
- Immediately invert the pan onto its feet (or onto a bottle neck if your pan does not have feet). Let the cake cool completely upside down, about 1.5 hours.
- Once fully cooled, run a thin knife around the edges and the center tube to release the cake. Invert onto a serving plate.
Notes
- Ensure your bowl and whisk attachments are completely free of any grease or egg yolk residue; this prevents the egg whites from whipping properly.
- Using room temperature egg whites helps you achieve greater volume.
- Do not open the oven door during the first 30 minutes of baking.
- Cooling the cake upside down is essential for maintaining its light, airy structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg