Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake Recipe
If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into a cake that feels like a soft cloud melting on your tongue, then you’re going to fall in love with this Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake. This delightful treat is all about capturing airy texture and subtle sweetness, creating a perfect balance that’s light enough to enjoy any time of day yet surprisingly satisfying. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe brings out the magic of simple ingredients combined with a few expert techniques to deliver a cake that’s impossibly tender, moist, and oh-so-inviting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The genius of a Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake lies in its simplicity. Just a handful of classic baking staples come together harmoniously, each playing a vital role in crafting the airy texture, delicate flavor, and pretty pale color that define this cake.
- Egg whites: These are the heart of the cake, whipped to create the glorious, airy structure that lifts the cake.
- Cake flour: Its fine texture ensures lightness and avoids any heaviness or grit.
- Sugar: Splitting the sugar helps stabilize the meringue and adds just the right sweetness without weighing down the batter.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a gentle fragrance and a classic touch of warmth to the flavor profile.
- Cream of tartar: This little acid miracle stabilizes the egg whites, helping them whip up to perfection.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors subtly, making the vanilla and sweetness pop even more.
How to Make Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Begin by sifting the cake flour together with half of the sugar into a bowl. This step is crucial for removing any clumps and ensuring an even distribution of sweetness. A smooth, lump-free mixture makes folding into the egg whites easier, preserving the batter’s delicate air bubbles.
Step 2: Whip the Egg Whites
In a completely clean and dry bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar on medium-high speed until they look foamy. This is the foundation of your Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake’s ethereal texture, so take your time to build volume gradually.
Step 3: Sweeten the Meringue
Slowly add the remaining sugar while continuing to beat the egg whites. Keep going until they reach stiff peaks—this means when you lift the beaters, the peaks stand straight without collapsing. This stabilized meringue will trap air and give your cake its famously airy quality.
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Next, gently fold the sifted flour and sugar mixture into the whipped egg whites in batches. Use a light hand and a large spatula to carefully combine without deflating the meringue. This patience helps keep your batter light and fluffy.
Step 5: Add Vanilla Extract
Fold in the vanilla extract just until you see it blend into the batter. This step infuses the whole cake with a subtle, inviting aroma that complements the sweetness without overpowering it.
Step 6: Prepare and Bake
Pour the batter into an ungreased tube pan—this allows the cake to cling to the sides during baking, helping it rise beautifully. Smooth the top and bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 40 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool Upside Down
Immediately invert the pan and let it cool completely upside down. This clever trick ensures the cake maintains its impressive height and delicate texture as it cools, preventing it from collapsing.
Step 8: Release and Serve
Once fully cooled, carefully run a knife around the edges to release the cake from the pan. Now it’s ready to delight your taste buds with every slice!
How to Serve Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake
Garnishes
A Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake is gorgeous on its own, but a few thoughtful garnishes can take it to the next level. Try dusting it with powdered sugar for an elegant touch or topping with fresh berries for bursts of color and tartness. A dollop of lightly whipped cream also pairs beautifully, enhancing the softness without stealing the spotlight.
Side Dishes
Because it’s wonderfully airy and not too sweet, this cake pairs well with a variety of sides. Fresh fruit salad, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of homemade fruit compote bring freshness and texture contrast to your dessert plate, making each bite interesting and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is part of the joy when serving this Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake. Slice it into delicate wedges and layer it with lemon curd or mousse for a multi-textured dessert. Alternatively, use it as the base for a trifle, alternating cake pieces with layers of custard and fruit. The sky’s the limit when it comes to making this cake your own show-stopper!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once baked and cooled properly, you can keep leftover Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to two days. To maintain its light texture, avoid refrigeration unless your kitchen is very warm, as it can cause the cake to dry out.
Freezing
If you want to keep the cake fresh for longer, wrap it carefully in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. It will keep well for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge wrapped to prevent moisture loss.
Reheating
To refresh any chilled or thawed slices, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 to 7 minutes. This lightly warms the cake, softening the crumb and reviving that signature cloud-like fluffiness.
FAQs
Why does this cake need to be baked in an ungreased pan?
The ungreased pan lets the batter cling to the sides during baking, providing structure that helps the cake rise tall and maintain its airy texture.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?
While all-purpose flour can be used in a pinch, cake flour is preferred because it’s finer and lighter, which contributes to the signature fluffiness of the cake.
What can I do if my egg whites don’t reach stiff peaks?
Make sure your mixing bowl is grease-free and your eggs are at room temperature. Adding cream of tartar stabilizes the egg whites, helping them whip properly.
Is it necessary to invert the cake to cool?
Yes, inverting the pan while the cake cools prevents it from collapsing and retains its tall, fluffy shape.
Can I add flavors or fillings to the Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake?
Absolutely! Adding citrus zest to the batter or layering the cake with flavored creams or fresh fruits can add exciting flavor twists without compromising texture.
Final Thoughts
This Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake isn’t just a dessert — it’s a celebration of how simple ingredients and gentle techniques can create something truly magical. I hope this recipe inspires you to bring a slice of cloudlike delight to your table, impressing friends and family with every tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite. Give it a try and enjoy the blissful sweetness and airy charm that only a Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake can deliver.
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Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Light & Fluffy Cloud Cake is a delicate and airy dessert perfect for any occasion. Made with whipped egg whites and cake flour, it has a soft texture and subtle sweetness enhanced by vanilla. Easy to prepare, it bakes into a tall, golden chiffon-like cake that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 120 g cake flour
- 200 g sugar, divided
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 6 egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift the cake flour and half of the sugar into a bowl to remove any lumps and ensure they are well combined.
- Beat Egg Whites: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites along with cream of tartar on medium-high speed until foamy and bubbly.
- Incorporate Sugar: Gradually add the remaining sugar to the egg whites while continuing to beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Fold Flour Mixture: Gently fold the sifted flour and sugar mixture into the whipped egg whites in small batches, carefully doing so to maintain the airiness and not deflate the batter.
- Add Vanilla: Fold in the vanilla extract just until it is evenly incorporated into the batter.
- Prepare Pan: Pour the batter into an ungreased tube pan and smooth the top evenly.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 40 to 45 minutes, until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Upside Down: Invert the pan and let the cake cool completely upside down. This helps maintain height and prevents the cake from collapsing.
- Remove and Serve: Once cooled, run a knife around the edges to carefully release the cake from the pan. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Do not grease the pan to help the cake climb and rise properly.
- Make sure egg whites are beaten to stiff peaks for maximum volume.
- Folding the flour mixture gently is key to a light texture.
- Allow the cake to cool fully upside down to avoid shrinking.
- Use fresh eggs at room temperature for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cloud cake, light cake, fluffy cake, chiffon cake, egg white cake, vanilla cake, low fat dessert
