Angel Food Cake (2024)

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This Angel Food Cake recipe is not only super easy to make, but it’s also incredibly delicious. Made with mostly egg whites, this cake is perfect for summer.

Angel Food Cake (1)

Angel Food Cake

This angel food cake recipe is my favorite summer cake. Soft, spongy cake made with whipped egg whites? Count me in!

All of the cake recipes on my site are full of whole eggs, butter, and milk. Sometimes I just want to have a slice of cake that isn’t too heavy.

This angel food cake recipe is just the thing to satisfy those sweet cravings without being too much. You can enjoy a good-sized serving with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream without fear of getting a toothache.

The recipe has been perfected to give you the fluffiest, spongiest texture. It’s rather simple to make and is sure to become your favorite cake from now on.

Why this recipe works

  • I used the standard angel food cake ratio of 3 parts egg white, 3 parts sugar, 1 part flour.
  • The egg whites are only whipped to soft peaks. Stiff peaks will prevent the cake from rising properly.
  • After baking the cake is cooled upside down for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the sugars to set before unmolding.
Angel Food Cake (2)

Angel Food Cake Recipe

I am obsessed with angel food cake! It’s like the best snack cake ever. You can eat it plain or with your choice of toppings. I often reach for summer ripe berries but a drizzle of hot fudge would be SO GOOD.

When you taste this amazing angel cake you will be blown away by how incredible it is. You don’t need to be afraid of making it either. I’m going to walk you through each step and explain exactly why you are to do certain things.

After you master this egg white-based cake, give my orange chiffon cake a try! It’s made in a similar way but contains oil and orange juice.

Angel Food Cake Ingredients

As I explained above, I used the proper ratio for making angel cake. (3 parts egg white : 3 parts sugar : 1 part flour). You can adjust all the other ingredients to your liking except for the ratio of these 3 important ones. Let’s discuss…

  • Egg whites – They need to be room temperature in order for them to whip up to full volume.
  • Sugar – Regular granulated sugar works perfectly with this recipe.
  • Cake flour – It’s very important that you use cake flour. It has the lowest gluten content and will give you the best-textured cake.
  • Salt – I used a little to help enhance the flavor.
  • Cream of tartar – Will help stabilize the egg whites.
  • Lemon juice – Also for stabilization of the egg whites. The flavor will dissipate during baking.
  • Vanilla extract – Used for flavor. Vanilla bean paste would also be lovely if you want a more intense vanilla flavor.

How to make angel food cake

It’s so easy to make this angel food cake. Don’t be afraid. This recipe has worked for me time and time again.

Just pay attention and don’t over whip the egg whites. That’s about the only place you can really go wrong.

Step 1: Whip the egg whites

Make sure you start with room temperature eggs. This is very important since cold eggs have a difficult time whipping to volume.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the egg whites, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar. Attach the whisk attachment and beat on low speed for 1 minute to moisten the sugar.

Increase the speed to medium-low and beat for 3 minutes. The egg whites should look foamy at this stage.

Add the lemon juice, and vanilla. Increase the speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Be careful here. You don’t want to over whip the whites. If they go stiff, you won’t be able to use them for the cake. Stay close by while it’s mixing and be prepared to stop the mixer at just the right time.

You’re looking for a thick, shiny meringue the has distinct a vortex pattern from the whisk. It will slide off the whisk when lifted out but will have enough body to hold itself in a mound.

Angel Food Cake (4)

Step 2: Add the flour

Add the cake flour to a fine-mesh sieve set over the bowl of meringue and gently shake it in. This will aerate the flour and remove any clumps that may have formed.

Use a flexible spatula to gently stir the flour into the meringue using a folding motion. Work from the bottom up and cut through the middle. Mix just until no visible pockets of flour remain.

Angel Food Cake (5)

Step 3: Bake

Pour the batter into an angel food cake pan. This is basically a tube pan that has feet on it. The pan should be aluminum and not nonstick for the best results. The batter doesn’t cling to nonstick pans and the cake will fail to rise properly.

Use the spatula to gently spread the batter evenly in the pan. If you see any unmixed flour, incorporate it with a gentle wiggle of the spatula. The pan should be about ⅔ full with batter.

Bake it in a 350°F preheated oven for 30-50 minutes. The large range in temperature as a lot to do with the humidity where you are and how your oven bakes. Mine baked in about 40 minutes.

Use a wooden toothpick to see if the cake is done. The toothpick should come out clean. The cake should also feel firm with pressed with your fingertip and the crust should be golden brown.

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Step 4: Cool the cake

When the cake comes out of the oven, you want to set it upside-down so it’s resting on the feet. This will prevent the cake from collapsing as it cools.

Once the cake has cooled for a minimum of 2 hours, run a butter knife along the edges to loosen it from the pan. Lift the tube to remove the sides of the pan. Run the knife along the bottom to loosen the cake from the base and around the middle. Gently lift the cake off the base of the tube pan.

Angel Food Cake (7)

What is the difference between angel food cake and sponge cake?

The main difference between angel food cake and sponge cake is the leavening process. Angel food cakes rely on whipped egg whites to give the cake rise while sponge cakes use whole eggs. Sponge cakes also use butter while angel food cakes do not.

Can you bake angel food cake in a regular cake pan?

If you have a cake pan with a removable bottom and it’s 4-inches deep, you can use that for angel food cake. A 9-inch springform pan that is 4 inches deep will also work.

How do I store angel food cake?

Store homemade angel food cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

You can also freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

Why did my angel food cake not rise?

Angel food cakes get their rise from whipped egg whites. You must mix them to just the right volume and no more. If you over whip the whites to stiff peaks, the cake will sink and become dense and chewy.

You also have to be careful when mixing in the flour. You want to use gently folding motions with the spatula. Stirring or being too rough with mixing will knock all the air out of the egg whites and your cake will fail to rise properly.

Angel Food Cake (8)

I think everyone needs angel food cake in their lives. You will be so happy you gave this recipe try!

If you like angel food cake, you’ll love these other cake recipes:

Angel Food Cake

Angel Food Cake (9)

This Angel Food Cake recipe is not only super easy to make, but it's also incredibly delicious. Made with mostly egg whites, this cake is perfect for summer.

Jen Sobjack

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Serving Size 10

Ingredients

  • 10 (340 g) egg whites, room temperature
  • 1 ⅔ cups (340 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ⅓ cups (170 g) cake flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

Get ready

  • Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350°F.

Make the cake

  • Combine egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whiskattachment. Mix on low speed for 1 minute to moisten. Increase to medium-low and mix for 3 minutes; the whites will look very foamy at this stage.

  • Add the lemon juice and vanilla, increase speed to medium and beat for 3minutes; the meringue will be light but thin, not foamy. Increase to medium-high and beat for another 3 minutes, until the meringue is thick and glossy and the wires of the whisk leave a distinct vortex pattern. You’ll know it’s ready when the meringue runs off thewires but retains enough body to pile up on itself in a mound.

  • Sprinkle the cake flour over the meringue or use a sieve to sift it in then gently fold with a flexible spatula. Fold from the bottom up, cutting through the middle, until no pocketsof dry flour remain.

  • Pour the batter into the pan and spread it evenly with the spatula. If you notice any unmixed flour as youpour, incorporate it into the batter with a gentle wiggle of your spatula.

  • Bake for 30-55 minutes, until the cake has risen and developed a firm, golden crust. Immediately invert the pan on its stilts, or over the neck of thebottle, and leave it to cool completely, about 2 hours.

  • Turn the cooled cake right side up and loosen the outer edges with a butter knife. Lift thecenter tube to remove the cake. Loosen it from the bottom then invert it onto a servingplatter.

Video

Notes

  • Sift the flour before measuring if you are using cup measurements. If you don’t have cake flour, you can use my homemade cake flour but the results won’t be exactly the same. I highly recommend purchasing cake flour from the store.
  • If at all possible, use weight measurements. This will ensure the accurate ratio is being used for the cake and it will turn out exactly as intended.
  • You need a 10-inch tube pan that is 4-inches deep with a removable bottom. Nonstick pans will not work! And do not grease the pan. You want the cake to cling to the sides so it can climb up.

Make ahead tip

  1. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 1 week in the refrigerator
  2. Angel food cake can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 0.4IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Adapted fromBraveTart.

Angel Food Cake (2024)

FAQs

Is angel food cake healthier than cake? ›

Angel Cake: Given its fat-free nature, angel cake tends to have fewer calories than many other traditional cakes. The primary source of its calories is sugar and the egg whites. It's a popular choice among those who are mindful of their fat intake or are seeking a slightly "lighter" dessert option.

What is angel cake made of? ›

Angel food cake is a low fat cake recipe made mostly from egg whites, cake flour, and sugar. It's pristine white on the inside with a chewy light brown crumb around the exterior. What it lacks in butter makes up for in texture. This tall, tender, and timeless cake has a cloud-like crumb and ultra light flavor.

Why do diabetics eat angel food cake? ›

As stated previously, Angel Food Cakes are great for people with diabetes because they are low in sugar compared to most other cakes, and especially low in simple sugars and carbohydrates.

What is the secret to a good angel food cake? ›

Egg Whites: The star of the show! They provide all of the leavening for angel food cake. Using only whites (no yolks) gives this cake a super light texture. Be sure to use only fresh eggs; liquid egg whites in a carton have been pasteurized, which can prevent them from whipping into stiff peaks.

What is the healthiest cake in the world? ›

What Type of Cake is Healthy?
  1. Angel Food Cake. Angel food cake is healthy because It does not contain egg yolk and butter. ...
  2. 2 . Flourless Chocolate Cake. ...
  3. 3 . Protein Mug Cake. ...
  4. 4 . Homemade Strawberry Shortcake. ...
  5. 5 . Sugar-Free Carrot and Date Cake. ...
  6. 6 . Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. ...
  7. 7 . Cheesecake. ...
  8. 8 . Red Velvet Cake.

Why does angel food cake taste so good? ›

For this method of leavening to work well, it is useful to have flour that has been made of softer wheat. Cake flour is generally used because of its light texture. The softer wheat and the lack of fat cause angel food cake to have a very light texture and taste.

Should angel food cake be refrigerated? ›

Just like most cakes, angel food cake is best fresh but it can certainly be made ahead of time. If it's just 1-2 days, cover it as soon as it's cooled and leave it at room temperature. If it's longer, refrigerate it for a few days or freeze for up to a few weeks.

Why is angel food cake so fluffy? ›

Angel food cake is one-of-a-kind, and no other cake recipe matches its super fluffy, airy texture. Though it's a type of sponge cake, it differs from other popular recipes because it's traditionally made using no butter or oil in the batter. Instead, beaten egg whites are the secret to its ultra-light texture.

What ethnicity is angel food cake? ›

Some historians think that the first angel food cakes were probably baked by African American slaves from the South because making this cake required a strong beating arm and lots of labor to whip the air into the egg whites.

What cake can diabetics eat? ›

Best Birthday Cake Alternatives for People Living With Diabetes
  • Keto Vanilla Cupcakes made with Splenda Monk Fruit Sweetener.
  • Chocolate Birthday Cake made with Splenda Stevia Jar Sweetener.
  • Confetti Birthday Cake made with Splenda Original Granulated Sweetener.
  • Classic Carrot Cake made with Splenda Sugar Blend.
Sep 29, 2022

What is an acceptable dessert for a diabetic? ›

20 Easy Diabetic Dessert Recipes—No Cooking Required
  • Peanut Butter Banana Yogurt Parfait. ...
  • Sugar-Free Panna Cotta Recipe. ...
  • Sugar-Free No-Cook Pumpkin Pudding. ...
  • Gluten-Free Cinnamon Lemon Coconut Bliss Balls. ...
  • Chocolate Chip and Ricotta-Stuffed Strawberries. ...
  • Tropical Mango Popsicles. ...
  • No Added Sugar Eggnog.
Jun 11, 2022

Are strawberries good for diabetics? ›

Strawberries can be a safe, beneficial addition to the diet for individuals living with diabetes. They offer a range of nutrients and antioxidants that support overall health and blood sugar management. Because of their low GI, strawberries have relatively minor effects on blood sugar when consumed in moderation.

Can I use a bundt pan for angel food cake? ›

I know what you're thinking. But whatever you do, don't try baking angel food cake in a bundt pan. A bundt pan's design is usually too intricate for angel food cakes, which must be cut away from the simple tube pans they're baked in once the cake has cooled.

Why do angel food cakes have holes? ›

There is very little flour, compared to other cake styles, and no fat or egg yolks are used. But without these ingredients, structure and baking evenly become a challenge. The hole in the center creates a ring-shaped cake, so you don't have to worry about the cake collapsing in the center.

What is the unhealthiest type of cake? ›

Unhealthiest: Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake comes in many different variations, but most of the time, artificial food coloring is used and the icing loads on the fat and sugar. It can have anywhere from 250 to 500 calories, so choose wisely.

Is angel food cake bad for high cholesterol? ›

Angel Food Cake is also cholesterol-free, which is great for those watching their heart health.

Why is cake flour better for angel food cake than all purpose flour? ›

For starters, cake flour is low-protein (typically 5–8% protein as compared to 10–13% for AP), and that's because it's milled from low-protein (a.k.a. soft) wheat. This means it does not produce as much gluten as regular AP flour and can yield more light, tender results.

Are homemade cakes healthier than store-bought? ›

Baking at home gives you control over the ingredients in your baked goods, and can be much healthier than choosing store-bought breads, cakes, and cookies. Here are some simple changes you can make to improve your diet and your health.

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