Angel Food Cake

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This Angel Food Cake recipe is not only super easy to make, but it’s also incredibly delicious. Made with mostly egg whites, this cake is perfect for summer.

side view of angel food cake with a slice slightly pulled away.

Angel Food Cake

This angel food cake recipe is my favorite summer cake. Soft, spongy cake made with whipped egg whites? Count me in!

All of the cake recipes on my site are full of whole eggs, butter, and milk. Sometimes I just want to have a slice of cake that isn’t too heavy.

This angel food cake recipe is just the thing to satisfy those sweet cravings without being too much. You can enjoy a good-sized serving with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream without fear of getting a toothache.

The recipe has been perfected to give you the fluffiest, spongiest texture. It’s rather simple to make and is sure to become your favorite cake from now on.

Why this recipe works

  • I used the standard angel food cake ratio of 3 parts egg white, 3 parts sugar, 1 part flour.
  • The egg whites are only whipped to soft peaks. Stiff peaks will prevent the cake from rising properly.
  • After baking the cake is cooled upside down for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the sugars to set before unmolding.
side view of an angel food cake topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries

Angel Food Cake Recipe

I am obsessed with angel food cake! It’s like the best snack cake ever. You can eat it plain or with your choice of toppings. I often reach for summer ripe berries but a drizzle of hot fudge would be SO GOOD.

When you taste this amazing angel cake you will be blown away by how incredible it is. You don’t need to be afraid of making it either. I’m going to walk you through each step and explain exactly why you are to do certain things.

After you master this egg white-based cake, give my orange chiffon cake a try! It’s made in a similar way but contains oil and orange juice.


Angel Food Cake Ingredients

As I explained above, I used the proper ratio for making angel cake. (3 parts egg white : 3 parts sugar : 1 part flour). You can adjust all the other ingredients to your liking except for the ratio of these 3 important ones. Let’s discuss…

  • Egg whites – They need to be room temperature in order for them to whip up to full volume.
  • Sugar – Regular granulated sugar works perfectly with this recipe.
  • Cake flour – It’s very important that you use cake flour. It has the lowest gluten content and will give you the best-textured cake.
  • Salt – I used a little to help enhance the flavor.
  • Cream of tartar – Will help stabilize the egg whites.
  • Lemon juice – Also for stabilization of the egg whites. The flavor will dissipate during baking.
  • Vanilla extract – Used for flavor. Vanilla bean paste would also be lovely if you want a more intense vanilla flavor.

How to make angel food cake

It’s so easy to make this angel food cake. Don’t be afraid. This recipe has worked for me time and time again.

Just pay attention and don’t over whip the egg whites. That’s about the only place you can really go wrong.

Step 1: Whip the egg whites

Make sure you start with room temperature eggs. This is very important since cold eggs have a difficult time whipping to volume.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the egg whites, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar. Attach the whisk attachment and beat on low speed for 1 minute to moisten the sugar.

Increase the speed to medium-low and beat for 3 minutes. The egg whites should look foamy at this stage.

process shots for whipping egg whites

Add the lemon juice, and vanilla. Increase the speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Be careful here. You don’t want to over whip the whites. If they go stiff, you won’t be able to use them for the cake. Stay close by while it’s mixing and be prepared to stop the mixer at just the right time.

You’re looking for a thick, shiny meringue the has distinct a vortex pattern from the whisk. It will slide off the whisk when lifted out but will have enough body to hold itself in a mound.

egg whites whipped to soft peaks

Step 2: Add the flour

Add the cake flour to a fine-mesh sieve set over the bowl of meringue and gently shake it in. This will aerate the flour and remove any clumps that may have formed.

Use a flexible spatula to gently stir the flour into the meringue using a folding motion. Work from the bottom up and cut through the middle. Mix just until no visible pockets of flour remain.

angel food cake batter in bowl

Step 3: Bake

Pour the batter into an angel food cake pan (affiliate link). This is basically a tube pan that has feet on it. The pan should be aluminum and not nonstick for the best results. The batter doesn’t cling to nonstick pans and the cake will fail to rise properly.

Use the spatula to gently spread the batter evenly in the pan. If you see any unmixed flour, incorporate it with a gentle wiggle of the spatula. The pan should be about ⅔ full with batter.

Bake it in a 350°F preheated oven for 30-50 minutes. The large range in temperature as a lot to do with the humidity where you are and how your oven bakes. Mine baked in about 40 minutes.

Use a wooden toothpick to see if the cake is done. The toothpick should come out clean. The cake should also feel firm with pressed with your fingertip and the crust should be golden brown.

angel food cake batter in pan

Step 4: Cool the cake

When the cake comes out of the oven, you want to set it upside-down so it’s resting on the feet. This will prevent the cake from collapsing as it cools.

Once the cake has cooled for a minimum of 2 hours, run a butter knife along the edges to loosen it from the pan. Lift the tube to remove the sides of the pan. Run the knife along the bottom to loosen the cake from the base and around the middle. Gently lift the cake off the base of the tube pan.

baked angel cake in pan

What is the difference between angel food cake and sponge cake?

The main difference between angel food cake and sponge cake is the leavening process. Angel food cakes rely on whipped egg whites to give the cake rise while sponge cakes use whole eggs. Sponge cakes also use butter while angel food cakes do not.

Can you bake angel food cake in a regular cake pan?

If you have a cake pan with a removable bottom and it’s 4-inches deep, you can use that for angel food cake. A 9-inch springform pan that is 4 inches deep will also work.

How do I store angel food cake?

Store homemade angel food cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

You can also freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

Why did my angel food cake not rise?

Angel food cakes get their rise from whipped egg whites. You must mix them to just the right volume and no more. If you over whip the whites to stiff peaks, the cake will sink and become dense and chewy.

You also have to be careful when mixing in the flour. You want to use gently folding motions with the spatula. Stirring or being too rough with mixing will knock all the air out of the egg whites and your cake will fail to rise properly.

side view of a slice of angel food cake on a black plate

I think everyone needs angel food cake in their lives. You will be so happy you gave this recipe try!

If you like angel food cake, you’ll love these other cake recipes:

side view of angel food cake with a slice slightly pulled away.
4.88 from 16 votes

Angel Food Cake

This Angel Food Cake recipe is not only super easy to make, but it's also incredibly delicious. Made with mostly egg whites, this cake is perfect for summer.
Prep Time :30 minutes
Cook Time :50 minutes
Total Time :1 hour 20 minutes
Servings :10
Author :Jen Sobjack

Ingredients

  • 10 (340 g) egg whites, room temperature
  • 1 ⅔ cups (340 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ⅓ cups (170 g) cake flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions
 

Get ready

  • Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350°F.

Make the cake

  • Combine egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on low speed for 1 minute to moisten. Increase to medium-low and mix for 3 minutes; the whites will look very foamy at this stage.
  • Add the lemon juice and vanilla, increase speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes; the meringue will be light but thin, not foamy. Increase to medium-high and beat for another 3 minutes, until the meringue is thick and glossy and the wires of the whisk leave a distinct vortex pattern. You’ll know it’s ready when the meringue runs off the wires but retains enough body to pile up on itself in a mound.
  • Sprinkle the cake flour over the meringue or use a sieve to sift it in then gently fold with a flexible spatula. Fold from the bottom up, cutting through the middle, until no pockets of dry flour remain.
  • Pour the batter into the pan and spread it evenly with the spatula. If you notice any unmixed flour as you pour, incorporate it into the batter with a gentle wiggle of your spatula.
  • Bake for 30-55 minutes, until the cake has risen and developed a firm, golden crust. Immediately invert the pan on its stilts, or over the neck of the bottle, and leave it to cool completely, about 2 hours.
  • Turn the cooled cake right side up and loosen the outer edges with a butter knife. Lift the center tube to remove the cake. Loosen it from the bottom then invert it onto a serving platter.

Video

Notes

  • Sift the flour before measuring if you are using cup measurements. If you don’t have cake flour, you can use my homemade cake flour but the results won’t be exactly the same. I highly recommend purchasing cake flour from the store.
  • If at all possible, use weight measurements. This will ensure the accurate ratio is being used for the cake and it will turn out exactly as intended.
  • You need a 10-inch tube pan that is 4-inches deep with a removable bottom. Nonstick pans will not work! And do not grease the pan. You want the cake to cling to the sides so it can climb up.
Make ahead tip
  1. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 1 week in the refrigerator
  2. Angel food cake can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 5gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 167mgPotassium: 93mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 0.4IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.2mg
*Nutrition Disclaimer
Course :Dessert
Cuisine :American
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Adapted from BraveTart.

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Recipe Rating




14 Comments

  1. Doris Bartlett says:

    I’m going to make this today I love angel food cakes . Thanks for the recipe.

  2. Marilyn Braswell says:

    Excellent recipe but what about me. I live at an altitude of 6,100 feet in Colorado Springs.
    Do you have a high altitude recipe?
    Some high altitude recipes sound a little flaky?

  3. 5 stars
    I’ll try to make this recipe, I can do something so perfect, I believe everyone here will love when they see and taste this cake.

  4. 5 stars
    I’ll try to make this recipe, I can do something so perfect, I believe everyone here will love when they see and taste this cake.

  5. 5 stars
    I bookmarked this book yesterday and is waiting in my amazon cart. The cake looks truly great, and the cold whites definitely got my attention!

  6. Paula | Vintage Kitchen says:

    5 stars
    I bookmarked this book yesterday and is waiting in my amazon cart. The cake looks truly great, and the cold whites definitely got my attention!

  7. This looks toooooo amazing. Perfect for my next book club- light, fresh and delicious (and perfect with a glass of bubbly!)

    1. It turned out so great! I can’t wait to make more delicious recipes from Stella’s book!

  8. Inci @ Bella's Apron says:

    5 stars
    Looks very nice and fluffy and would go perfect with a nice cup of tea 🙂

  9. Pam Burriell says:

    Can this be made with egg whites from a carton or from powdered whites?

    1. I have no idea. It’s not my recipe. I published it with permission from the publisher of Bravetart and I’ve only made it the way the author wrote the recipe.