• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Stephanie
  • Brownies and Cookie Bars Recipes
  • Cake Recipes
  • Candy Recipes
  • Contact Me
  • Cookie Recipes
  • Cupcake Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes and Techniques
  • Dessert Recipes and Techniques
  • Disclaimer
  • Dough Recipes
  • Filling and Frosting Recipes
  • My Latest Recipes
  • Pie and Tart Recipes
  • Soufflé and Custard Recipes
  • Terms
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • YouTube
  • Contact Me
  • About
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • YouTube
    • Contact Me
    • About
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » My Latest Recipes

    The Perfect Angel Food Cake Recipe

    Apr 11, 2022 · 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    It is thought angel food cake derives it name because it is so light the angels could eat it and still fly without being weighed down. Regardless of the origins, it is my mother’s favorite cake so I began a quest to create the perfect recipe!  This recipe will produce a beautifully aerated texture by following a few simple steps.

    angel food cake from dessertswithstephanie.com

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to the terms page for more information.

    This is a versatile cake for pairing with other flavors such as citrus, fruit curds or berries. Of course, a dollop of whipped cream always adds a nice touch for plating the dessert!

    Steps for an easy angel food cake:

    Time needed: 45 minutes.

    1. Prepare the pan:

      Use a tube cake pan and do not flour or grease the pan. An angel food cake gets its rising power from the egg white foam. As the cake is baking the batter needs to cling to the side of the pan and grease will prevent this from occurring.

    2. Prepare ingredients:

      Measure all ingredients and set out all equipment before beginning to make this cake. A term often used in the culinary world is 'mise en place.' The process of 'mise en place', which translates from French as 'putting in place' is a good habit to form as a baker. You won't be searching for your whisk or salt when you need to move to the next step!ingredients for angel food cake

    3. Prepare the egg whites

      Egg whites may be measured using a scale or a measuring cup. Each egg white weighs approximately one ounce. This recipe calls for 12 ounces of egg whites weighed on a scale or 12 fluid ounces of egg whites or 1.5 cups of egg whites. Bring egg whites to room temperature prior to embarking on this recipe. Eggs whites will whip to a greater volume when at room temperature.

    4. Begin whipping the egg whites

      Combine the egg whites, warm water, lemon juice (if using) and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer. A hand-held mixer may be used but the mixing process will be lengthy (12 - 15 minutes). Using the whip attachment begin whipping the egg white mixture on medium speed. The mixture will begin to turn foamy after a few minutes.angel food egg whites from dessertswithstephanie.com

    5. Add sugar slowly to egg whites

      Once the mixture is foamy, slowly begin adding the sugar measure #1 to the bowl while the mixer is running on medium speed. The process of slowly adding the sugar is of key importance for the structure of an angel food cake.How to mix egg whites

    6. Finish whipping egg whites

      Turn the mixer to medium-high speed once all of the sugar is added and continue to whip the mixture until stiff peaks form.egg white peaks from dessertswithstephanie.com

    7. Fold in dry ingredients

      With a spatula gently fold one-third of the dry ingredients into the egg foam. Be gentle! Over-folding will compromise the airiness of the egg foam you just worked so hard to create. Once the first addition is incorporated, repeat the process again using the another third of the dry ingredients, and finally, the last third.
      folding cake batter

    8. Fill cake pan

      Gently pour the batter into the tube pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
      filling cake pan

    9. Baking the cake

      Once the cake is well risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, the cake is done.

    10. Cool and unmold the cake

      Remove the cake from the oven and immediately flip the pan over onto a cooling rack. Leave the pan to cool upside down for one hour. After the cake is cooled, flip the pan over, push up on the removeable pan bottom and the cake should release. Run a sharp knife around the inside of the pan if the cake sticks.upside down angel food cake

    easy angel food cake recipe

    FAQs

    How to cut an angel food cake?

    A sharp, serrated knife is the best option for cutting angel food cake slices. Slowly move the knife back and forth with limited downward pressure to avoid smashing the cake slice.

    How to store an angel food cake?

    Cover the cake in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    Is angel food cake gluten-free?

    This recipe is not gluten-free. The recipe may be easily made gluten-free by: replace the flour needed in the recipe, remove 1 tablespoon of the flour and replace with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

    how to make an angel food cake

    Angel Food Cake

    A light and airy Angel Food Cake.
    5 from 51 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Dessert
    Servings 10

    Equipment

    • 1 Angel food cake pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 Cups Egg Whites Room Temperature
    • ⅓ Cup Warm Water Approximately 110°
    • 1 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
    • 200 Grams Granulated Sugar (measure #1) (1 cup)
    • 150 Grams Granulated Sugar (measure #2) (¾ cup)
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest (optional) (approximately 1 lemon)
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (optional)
    • 120 Grams Cake Flour (1 cup)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°
    • Combine cake flour, sugar measure #2, salt and lemon zest in a bowl. Whisk to combine.
    • Add egg whites, warm water, lemon juice and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer.
    • Using the whisk attachment, begin mixing on medium speed until the egg whites become foamy.
    • Slowly start adding sugar measure #1 into the mixing bowl while the mixer is running. This process will take 2 - 3 minutes.
    • Increase mixer speed to medium-high and continue whipping until stiff, glossy peaks are reached.
    • Remove the bowl from the stand mixer.
    • Add the combined dry ingredients to the stiffened egg whites in three additions, folding gently between each addition.
    • Pour the cake batter in to the tube pan. Carefully smooth the top.
    • Bake for 30 minutes or until well risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Remove from oven and immediately invert the cake pan over onto a cooling rack.
    • Let cake cool upside down for 1 hour.
    • Gently lift the pan off the cake. If cake is sticking to pan, run a sharp knife around the inside of the pan to release.
    Keyword angel food cake, lemon angel food cake, perfect angel food cake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Related posts:

    Caramel Mousse Cake Recipe
    Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe
    Chocolate Bavarian Cream Cake
    10 Shares
    Pin10
    Tweet
    Yum
    Share

    More Cakes

    • almond cake roll with mango cream
      Almond Cake Roll with Mango Cream
    • chocolate Bundt cake with raspberries and cream
      Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake
    • strawberry coffee cake recipe for dessertswithstephanie.com
      Strawberry Coffee Cake
    • chocolate Bavarian cream cake with strawberries
      Chocolate Bavarian Cream Cake

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Megane says

      April 10, 2023 at 4:33 am

      5 stars
      This was my first time making Angel Food Cake and I surprised myself at how well it turned out. Thanks for the easy instructions so an old duck like me can follow them. We love this cake!

      Reply
      • dessertswithstephanie says

        April 10, 2023 at 1:01 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you for the review, Megane. This is one of my favorite cakes.

        Reply
    2. Tina says

      April 05, 2023 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      This really is the perfect angel food cake recipe! It's perfect for strawberry season!

      Reply
    3. Keri Bevan says

      November 17, 2022 at 9:21 am

      5 stars
      I always wanted to make angel food cake without a mix, so this recipe was really helpful Thank you for all the great tips!

      Reply
    4. Giangi Townsend says

      November 16, 2022 at 3:54 pm

      5 stars
      So fluffy and light. A true delight.
      Thank you for all your tips. It was my first time making it and they sure helped me along.

      Reply
    5. Gloria says

      November 16, 2022 at 2:45 pm

      5 stars
      Angel food cake is one of those classics that will never grow old. Perfect for lots of great toppings. I love to eat it all on it's own.

      Reply
    6. CanadelE says

      September 21, 2022 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      This is so light and fluffy. Great tip on unmolding the cake - first time my angel food cake came out without pieces ripping off.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Pastry Chef Stephanie

    Welcome to Desserts With Stephanie. I hope you enjoy your visit. All the recipes and techniques I discuss on this site have been fully tested in my bakery for more than 15 years. Let's have some fun in the kitchen and put a smile on someone's face with a little sweetness.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • blueberry frangipane tart recipe from dessertswithstephanie.com
      Almond Frangipane Blueberry Tart
    • mango cream and granola parfait recipe
      Mango Granola Parfaits Recipe
    • mango curd recipe from dessertswithstephanie.com
      Easy Mango Curd with Four Ingredients
    • caramel blondie bars on a plate
      Caramel Blondies Recipe

    Looking for Something Special?

    • Disclaimer
    • Terms

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy/Terms
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Brunch Pro on the Feast Plugin