Angel Food Cake is a light, fluffy, and airy sponge cake made with egg whites, sugar, and flour. It has a delicate sweetness and a soft, cloud-like texture, making it perfect for serving with fresh fruit or whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (120g) cake flour (or all-purpose flour sifted 3 times)
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar, divided
- 12 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Use an ungreased 10-inch (25 cm) tube pan. The batter needs to cling to the sides to rise properly.
2. Sift the Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, sift together cake flour and ½ cup (100g) sugar. Set aside.
3. Whip the Egg Whites
- In a large, grease-free bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy.
- Add the cream of tartar and salt, then continue beating.
- Gradually add the remaining 1 cup (200g) of sugar, one spoon at a time, while beating on high speed until stiff peaks form (about 5 minutes).
- Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
4. Fold in the Flour Mixture
- Gently sift the flour mixture over the whipped egg whites in three additions, folding carefully with a spatula after each addition. Avoid deflating the batter.
5. Bake the Cake
- Spoon the batter into the ungreased tube pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden and springs back when lightly touched.
6. Cool Upside Down
- Immediately invert the pan onto a bottle or cooling rack and let cool completely (about 1-2 hours). This prevents the cake from collapsing.
7. Remove and Serve
- Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake, then gently remove it from the pan.
- Slice and serve with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Tips for the Best Angel Food Cake
✔ Use fresh, room-temperature egg whites for the best volume.
✔ Do not grease the pan—the batter needs to cling to the sides to rise properly.
✔ Fold the flour gently to keep the batter airy.
✔ Cool upside down to prevent sinking.
This classic Angel Food Cake is light, fluffy, and absolutely delicious!
