Angel Cake

Angel cake is a type of cake that originates from North America and became popular in the United States in the late 19th century. It is so called because it is so light that it is considered “food of angels”.

A variant of this cake is the one made in the UK, which consists of three rectangular layers of sponge cake. One is yellow, one is pink, and a third is white (not necessarily in this order), separated by cream.

As a counterpart to the angel cake there is the devil cake. In this case, it is a kind of butter cake made with chocolate sponge cake and also chocolate coating. It began to be made later than angel food cake, also in the United States.

We have already learned about the history of angel food cake. Now is the time to learn how to make it. There are different recipes, we are going to explain two of them. Take note, it’s very easy.

Angel cake

Preparing this basic angel food cake recipe is very easy. In addition, most of the ingredients will be at home, except perhaps the cream of tartar. It can be found in specialty confectionery stores.

Ingredients

• 12 egg whites
• 240 g of flour
• 270 g sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon of cream of tartar (3.5 g)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (5 g)
• ½ teaspoon of almond extract (2.5 g)

Elaboration

This angel food cake is made in no time. You just have to follow these steps:

1. Separate the whites from the yolks, placing the whites in a wide bowl.
2. Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
3. Sift the flour and mix it with half the sugar.
4. Beat the egg whites until stiff, adding the salt and cream of tartar when they start to be frothy.
5. When peaks start to appear, add the remaining sugar and extracts. Beat until the egg whites do not fall off when you turn the bowl over.
6. With the help of a spatula, incorporate the flour into the whites until stiff, making enveloping movements so that the whites do not fall. Mix until the flour is moist.
7. Put the dough in a high round mold with a tube in the center and bake it immediately until it comes out clean when you click with a toothpick.

Angel cake: second option

Another way to prepare the cake, just as delicious. We will explain it in detail.

Ingredients

• 1 and ¾ cup sugar (310 g)
• ¼ teaspoon of salt (1.2 g)
• 1 cup of flour (150 g)
• 12 egg whites
• 1/3 cup of water (85 ml)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (5 g)
• 1 and ½ teaspoons cream of tartar (7.5 g)

Elaboration

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
2. In a blender or food processor, process the sugar until it is super fine.
3. Put half the sugar with the flour, salt and mix well. Reserve the rest of the sugar.
4. In a large bowl, raise the egg whites until stiff, adding the vanilla extract and cream of tartar when they start to be frothy. When peaks start to emerge, add the remaining sugar and beat until the whites do not fall when turning the bowl over.
5. Using enveloping movements so that the whites do not fall, add the flour and mix until you get a homogeneous mixture.
6. Pour the mixture into a previously greased screw mold.
7. Bake for 35 minutes or until it comes out dry when punctured with a toothpick.

You see that preparing an angel food cake is not complicated. A light and delicious dessert for a snack or to surprise your guests. Are you going to try it?