The best ANGEL FOOD CAKE recipe!

Prepare to be amazed by the flavour and height of this classic ANGEL FOOD CAKE recipe - it’s absolutely heavenly.
Light, airy and cloud-like are just a few words that describe this fabulous ANGEL FOOD CAKE recipe, which has long been one of my favourite cakes. Having made this countless times, I do think of it as an essential recipe; it’s just so remarkably good and the technique and process make me feel like I’m such a gifted pastry chef... almost, kinda!

This recipe is a two-time hand-me-down, meaning two different cards have been indexed in my mom’s recipe box. The first is in my mom’s handwriting and is missing a key piece of information – a quantity of flour (aargh!). The card in my sister Maria’s hand - which we all think was my Aunt Mary’s recipe - is the one I now always make, and boy is it ever perfect.

Only a few things are required to ensure it works each and every time:
EGGS – Please do your best to use organic farm fresh eggs if you can find them, and bring those eggs to room temperature before you begin. Important to note, this cake is all about egg whites and we use a measure of egg whites (1½ cups) as opposed to quantity. That said, having a dozen extra large eggs on hand will be more than enough.

What to do with the leftover egg yolks? Make our fabulous HOLLANDAISE SAUCE.

SIFTING – This recipe will exceed even your wildest cake cream if, and only if, you sift both the flour and the icing sugar. Every time I make this cake I’m amazed by the simplicity of this principle; fluff up those heavy ingredients and you’ll have a lighter cake. Makes perfect sense.

FOLDING – This ANGEL FOOD CAKE recipe will help you hone your folding skills. Sprinkle a titch of the flour mixture and gently fold it into the whipped egg whites. And again, and again, and again! Go slow, twirl your spatula and be gentle. The image I keep in mind is that of an angel folding clouds. Whatever works!

Last thing about this cake is the hang time – letting it cool a full hour while inverted in the pan keeps the cake high and gorgeous.

Excited to make this? Here are some more great dessert ideas - how about our 1-minute video on how to make LEMON CURD, an amazing TRIFLE RECIPE or our often-requested HARVEY WALLBANGER CAKE? Yum, everything is so sweet!

A classic ANGEL FOOD CAKE will take your next adventure in desserts to stratospheric heights!

[MrsKringlesKitchen]

What a neat cake cutter! It's been a while since I've made an angel food cake. This is giving me a hankerin'! I like your rack method way better than how my mother in law told me how to do it which was putting it over a 2 liter bottle! LOL The currants make it look so festive!

[bmack]

Love your recipe....very similar to the one I have been using since the early 60's. My mother gave me a recipe box which she filled with all the family's favorites. On the backside of the recipe card she wrote:
Angel Food Cake Opportunities and Possibilities
.For all methods:
1....Bake cake a day before serving.
2....Evenly slice off the cake top.... 1 to 1 1/2" and carefully set aside.
3... Scoop out a 1 1/2" cavity through middle of cake to approx. 2" from the bottom.
4....Set cake aside and prepare filling.
5....Fill the cavity with ONE of the following possibilities:
....A.) Lemon curd....B.) Butterscotch Pudding....C.) Chocolate Pudding....D.) Vanilla Pudding with fresh berries
6...Replace top on cake. Cover cake with tea towel. Refrigerate overnight
7...On the day cake will be served: Whip cream for frosting the cake and refrigerate
8...Ice with whipped cream up to 2 hours before serving. Keep refrigerated until serving time
Of course, the curd and puddings were made from scratch and she included all the recipes.
The puddings and curd were cooked with more flour/cornstarch than used for a regular pudding. It sliced well with the cake. Angel Food cake was the family birthday favorite and made for special guest visits.
Happy memories.
Cheers and keep them coming. JoAn

[cynthiawilliams]

How do I make altitude adjustments for this cake? I am at 5k feet and I haven't made an angel food cake before, but I can tell you that if I don't adjust my chocolate cakes sink to the bottom of the pans in the center.

[Rayis]

Oh wowwww
What kind of a cutter is that

[harryoone]

I love Angel Food Cake. Just checking, you don't grease the pan? I'm thinking not. Thank you for all the tips you share too. Have a great weekend Nik.