Castella Cake
Castella is a Japanese sponge cake with roots in 16th-century Portuguese trade, made from just eggs, sugar, flour, and honey beaten into a light, bouncy crumb. The long bake at a low temperature gives it an even, fine texture and a gently sweet flavor. It comes together in roughly 90 minutes and keeps well for several days.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand mixer
- 9x9 inch baking pan
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour sifted
- 10 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup sugar preferably fine granulated
- ¼ cup milk warmed slightly
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the inside of a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring it covers all sides for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them with a hand mixer on medium speed until they become pale and frothy, approximately 5 minutes.
- Gradually add the sugar while continuing to whisk, until the mixture turns thick and creamy, forming ribbons as you lift the whisk.
- Warm the milk slightly and mix it with honey until completely dissolved. Gently fold this mixture into the egg batter, maintaining the airiness.
- Sift the flour over the batter, folding it in gently with a silicone spatula just until homogenous. Ensure no flour pockets remain.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula. Tap the pan gently on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
- Bake for about 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and springs back when lightly pressed. A toothpick inserted should come out clean.
- Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan, then carefully lift it out using the parchment paper. Trim the edges for a neat appearance.
Notes
- For a fluffy texture, ensure the eggs are at room temperature before beating.
- To prevent the top from over-browning, cover with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking if necessary.
Nutrition
Calories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 10gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 233mgSodium: 92mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg
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