Sponge Cake

Finally, I can manage to bake a sponge cake after failing (badly)2 times. :-) . Yayy. Baking a sponge cake is relatively easy , I thought, but realize I was absolutely wrong after failing twice. I was so disappointed with the result. It was due to my poor handling skill especially whipping the eggs and folding in method of the flour. I followed sponge cake method by HHB, however it didn't turn out well. The base of the cake was so hard as a slab of a rubber and I never experience this before. Was it due to over whipping of the eggs or deflation of the batter while folding in flour or both? I simply have no idea.

But I noticed my whipped eggs are different from HHB's and having a lot of air bubbles. The texture was quite different . Then, I looked for sponge cake recipes on YouTube and some video showed they whip egg yolks and egg whites separately. I decided to follow the method and try my luck again. It works!!! This time, the cake looks fine although it is slightly dense. I need to be more gentle next time while folding in flour and should add 1 tsp of baking powder as well.

Ingredients (Cake recipe is adapted from HHB's birthday cake)

- 3 Egg whites , 3 Egg yolks(at room temperature)
- 20gms of melted butter
- 80 gms of sugar
- 100 gms of cake flour (sifted)
- 2 Tbs of milk
- 1tsp of vanilla extract

Method:

1. In a mixer,whisk egg yolks until smooth and creamy. After 1 minute, add 2 Tbs of sugar and vanilla extract and continue to mix until thick mixture is formed. Transfer the mixture into a bowl and set aside.
2. Whisk egg whites until white and frothy. Add remaining sugar and continue to mix until stiff.
3. Fold in number (1)into egg white mixture gently.
4. Add the cake flour (I separated it into 2 batches to add) followed by melted butter and milk into the batter .Mix well after each addition. Pls take care not to deflate the mixture.
5. Pour the batter into 18cm baking pan (round) and bake in 180 degree C preheated oven for 30 mins.
6. Remove from oven and leave it to cool.
7. Slice the cake and serve.

I will try to make a layer cake next time.