Preheat the oven to 180°C. Prepare your baking pan by spraying it with nonstick spray and lining the bottom with parchment paper. Spray or brush the parchment with melted butter, then dust with flour. For 8-inch pans, line the sides as well since the cake will rise tall. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift the mixture three times to ensure a smooth-topped cake with a fine crumb. For an even finer texture, pulse the sifted mixture briefly in a food processor (optional). Set aside.
Separate eggs (easiest when cold) and bring egg whites to room temperature for about 30 minutes, or place in warm water for 5 minutes. In a clean, grease-free bowl with a wire whisk attachment, beat egg whites with a pinch of cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add half the granulated sugar (½ cup, 100 grams) and beat until stiff, shiny, and moist peaks form. Don't overbeat the meringue or it will become dry. Gently scrape meringue into another bowl and set aside.
Using the same mixing bowl (no need to clean), add egg yolks and remaining granulated sugar (½ cup, 100 grams). Beat at medium-high speed, scraping bowl once or twice to ensure all yolks blend well. Beat until ribbon stage is reached - about 5-6 minutes. The mixture will be thick, doubled in volume, and pale in colour. When you lift the whisk, the batter should fall in a ribbon that holds its shape momentarily before dissolving back into the mixture.
With the mixer running on low to medium speed, gradually add oil in one continuous pour. Mix well. Then gradually add warm water in one continuous pour, scraping the bowl between additions. The warm water helps dissolve sugar crystals completely. Beat in vanilla extract and continue beating for 2 more minutes until the mixture becomes very light in colour and well aerated. The mixture will become thinner with water.
Using a fine mesh strainer, sift about one-third of the flour mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Carefully fold with a spatula – don't stir. Add about one-third of the meringue and fold. Continue alternating flour and meringue until no flour streaks are visible. Make 3 final gentle folds, ensuring your spatula reaches all the way to the bottom of the bowl. Be gentle and avoid over-mixing. You want a light and airy batter that's slightly thick.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 180°C for 30-35 minutes. Check after 30 minutes – if the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil to prevent over-browning (usually not needed for 8 or 9-inch cakes). Continue baking for 5 more minutes if needed. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean with no crumbs attached.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Using a kitchen towel to handle the hot pan, carefully invert the cake onto a cooling rack. Let cool till lukewarm, then wrap in plastic wrap and let cool completely on the counter. This helps retain moisture.
Once completely cooled, remove plastic wrap and transfer to a serving plate or cake stand. The sponge cake can be served as is.
This sponge pairs well with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, buttercream, chocolate ganache, and lemon curd.
Cut the cake into pyramids and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
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