How to make a Sponge Cake (Come preparare il Pan di Spagna)

Sponge cake serves as the basis for many types of layered cake and desserts. In Italy is mainly used for birthday cakes, Mimosa cake, pastry and many others desserts. NB: This is just one of the many existing methods to make a sponge cake.

Serves 10-12

ingredients:

8 eggs, separated to whites and yolks

250g sugar

250g flour

1 tsp vanilla extract

A little butter and flour for the cake pan

10-15gr baking powder for sponge cakes (optional)

Instructions:

- Preheat your oven to 180°C, 350°F.
- Place the egg yolks into the mixer and mix them on a high speed until creamy. After a minute, add about 2 tbsp of sugar. Continue to mix for a few minutes more until the mixture becomes thicker. Add the vanilla extract. Keep mixing until the mixture double the size. Now turn off the machine and transfer the egg yolks to a separate bowl.

- Whip the egg whites. Place the whites into the clean mixer bowl. Beat them on high and let them whip until they become white and frothy. Now slowly add the sugar a bit at a time. The whipped egg whites mixture is ready when it clings to the beater attachment but does not drip. Once the mixture is nice and stiff, turn off the mixer.

- Now you can combine yolks and whites : introduce the egg yolks to the egg whites mixture. Add the whipped egg yolks into the egg whites and fold them in with the rubber spatula. Make sure not to over-mix.

- Next, we need to introduce the flour and corn starch to the eggs. Start by combining the flour and the corn starch, slowly sift it into the mixture. Sifting the flour will increase the amount of air in the cake, helping to make it even lighter. Fold it all together remembering again not to over-mix.Using your rubber spatula.

You can now transfer the batter into the lined spring-form pan. Spread the batter evenly with the rubber spatula and give the pan a few good shakes to remove any air pockets that might remain.
- Now put the cake into the preheated oven and allow it to bake for about 30 minutes.

After around 30 minutes, test the cake to see it is ready. Insert a wooden stick into the centre of the cake. The cake is ready when the stick comes out free of batter.

When ready take out from the oven and set it aside to cool before removing it from the pan.

Once the cake is totally cooled remove the spring-form pan and your sponge cake is ready to be used as you like. Buon Appetito!

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