Instructions

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  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the lower third; you want to give your cake plenty of rising room without danger of burning its top.

  2. Whisk together and then sift the flour, cornstarch, and 3/4 cup (143g) sugar. Set aside.

  3. In a large, clean (grease-free) mixing bowl, beat together the egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar until foamy.

  4. Add the flavorings. Gradually increase the speed of the mixer and continue beating until the egg whites have increased in volume, and thickened.

  5. Gradually beat in the 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (167g) sugar, a bit at a time, until the meringue holds soft peaks.

  6. Gently fold in the sifted flour/sugar blend 1/4 cup at a time, just until incorporated.

  7. Spoon the batter into an ungreased 10" round angel food pan. Gently tap the pan on the counter to settle the batter and remove any large air bubbles.

  8. Bake the cake until it's a deep golden brown, and the top springs back when pressed lightly, about 45 minutes.

  9. Remove the cake from the oven and invert the pan onto the neck of a heatproof bottle or funnel, to suspend the cake upside down as it sets and cools, about 2 hours.

  10. Remove the cake from the pan by running a thin spatula or knife around the edges of the pan, and turning the cake out onto a plate.

  11. Cut the cake with a serrated knife or angel food cake comb. If it's difficult to cut, wet the knife and wipe it clean between slices.

  12. Serve with whipped cream and fruit. Wrap any leftovers airtight, and store at room temperature.

Tips from our Bakers

  • If you don't have Baker's Special Sugar or superfine sugar, process regular granulated sugar in a food processor until finely ground. The result won't be quite the same, but will be better than using plain granulated sugar.
  • Tips for success:
    •Be sure your mixing bowl is absolutely clean; also, separate your egg whites carefully. The tiniest bit of fat or speck of egg yolk will inhibit the egg whites from beating up thick and foamy.
    •Cold eggs are easiest to separate. Don't worry about warming your egg whites to room temperature; they'll warm slightly while you're getting your other ingredients ready.
    •Don't over-whip your egg whites. Many recipes tell you to whip the whites until they hold a stiff peak, but it's better to whip only until the peaks are still soft enough to slump over at their peak. Under-beating slightly allows the air cells in the beaten whites to expand during baking without rupturing.
    •Directions call for you to both whisk and sift the dry ingredients. This might seem excessive in this time-challenged era, but each action performs a separate function: whisking makes sure the ingredients are evenly distributed; and sifting lightens them, removes any lumps, and allows the mixture to be mixed into the egg whites with little effort.
    •Finally, to retain the egg whites' volume, use the whisk attachment from a stand mixer, or a balloon whisk, to gently “fold” the dry ingredients into the beaten egg whites.
  • Make Daffodil Cake, a pretty swirl of white and golden batters: Make the cake batter as directed above, reserving 5 of the egg yolks. In a separate bowl, beat the yolks until light yellow and thick, about 3 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons Baker's Special or superfine sugar, and beat for 2 minutes. Fold in 2 teaspoons lemon zest.
    Fold the yolk mixture into half the white batter. Spoon the white and yellow batters alternately into the pan. Gently pass a thin spatula or knife through the batter in the pan to create a marbled effect. Bake as directed above. Serve with lemon curd and whipped cream.

  • Be aware: Some of your baking ingredients can be a hidden source of gluten. Learn more at our blog post: For gluten-free baking, think beyond just flour. For additional information on King Arthur-produced products, read the complete details of our allergen program, including our contact-prevention practices.

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