Prepare to elevate your baking skills with our ‘Cloud-Like Dream: Castella Cake’. This is not just any cake; it’s a tantalizing, cloud-like dessert that will melt in your mouth. Made with simple ingredients, this soft and fluffy cake boasts a delicately sweet flavor and a beautifully light texture. Each bite promises a heavenly taste and a delightful culinary experience. This easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for both beginners and expert bakers looking to make a standout dessert.
Ingredients:
– 4 large eggs
– 75 g / 2.6Oz (1/2 cup + 1 tbsp) all-purpose flour
– 75 g/ 2.6Oz (1/3 cup) unsalted butter
– 60 ml (1/4 cup) milk
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 70 g/ 2.5Oz (1/3 cup) sugar
Instructions:
1. Begin by preparing the cake pan. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit your cake pan, lining both the bottom and the sides. This cake tends to rise significantly, so ensure the paper is tall enough. Preheat your oven to 300F/ 150 degrees Celsius.
2. Carefully separate four egg whites from the yolks. It’s crucial to ensure no egg yolks get into the whites, as the fats in the yolks can affect the meringue. Set the whites and yolks aside.
3. Sift 75 grams of flour into a mixing bowl and set it aside for later use.
4. In a saucepan, combine 75 grams of unsalted butter and 60 ml of milk. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat. Stir it continuously with a spatula until the edges start to bubble.
5. Once the butter and milk mixture starts to bubble, remove it from the heat. Immediately add it to the sifted flour. Using a wire whisk, mix until the ingredients combine into a thick paste.
6. Add the egg yolks to the paste, mixing well until the yolks are fully incorporated. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and continue mixing until the batter is smooth.
7. Now, let’s prepare the meringue. Using a mixer, whip the egg whites, gradually adding 75 grams of sugar. Continue to whip until the meringue forms medium-soft peaks. This process will give your cake its unmatched fluffiness.
8. Add half of the meringue to the egg yolk mixture and mix to combine using a spatula. Then, add the rest of the meringue and fold it in until you have a smooth batter.
9. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and tap it a few times to remove any trapped air. Place the pan on a tray and pour hot water into the tray to create a water bath.
10. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. Once it’s done, remove the cake from the hot water bath and let it cool.
Experience the cloud-like dream of this Castella Cake, a dessert that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat. Its unmatched fluffiness and delicately sweet flavor make it a standout choice for any occasion. Whether served as a special dessert or as a sweet treat with tea, it’s a joy in every bite.