The Perfect Sponge Cake Recipe
Introduction
Sponge cake is one of the pillars of Italian pastry, a soft and spongy base that lends itself to endless variations and fillings. Whether it’s a birthday cake, a special occasion dessert, or a simple snack, sponge cake is always a winning choice. In this article, I will present you with the perfect recipe to make a tall, soft, and delicately flavored sponge cake, perfect for all your sweet creations.
Ingredients for a 24 cm (9.5 inch) Sponge Cake
- 5 eggs at room temperature
- 150 g (3/4 cup) of granulated sugar
- 130 g (1 cup) of all-purpose flour
- 30 g (1/4 cup) of potato starch
- Grated zest of lemon or orange (optional)
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) (160°C/320°F for a convection oven).
- Separate the egg yolks and whites into two different bowls. Whip the egg whites into stiff peaks with a pinch of salt.
- Add the sugar to the egg yolks and whip the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy.
- Sift the flour and potato starch, then gently fold them into the yolk and sugar mixture, mixing from the bottom up to avoid losing volume.
- Finally, fold in the whipped egg whites, still mixing from the bottom up.
- Pour the batter into a 24 cm (9.5 inch) round baking pan, greased and floured.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the sponge cake is golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before filling and decorating.
Tips and Variations
- To obtain a taller sponge cake, you can use a baking pan with higher sides.
- Add the grated zest of lemon or orange to flavor the batter.
- You can substitute part of the flour with cocoa powder to make a chocolate sponge cake.
- Fill the sponge cake with creams, fresh fruit, jams, or any other desired filling.
Follow this recipe step by step, and you will obtain a perfect sponge cake, ready to be transformed into delicious cakes and desserts!