Chinese Egg Cake

Chinese Egg Cake, also known as 鸡蛋糕 (jīdàngāo) or Chinese Sponge Cake, is a simple and classic dessert enjoyed in Chinese cuisine. It has a light, fluffy texture with a subtle sweetness that makes it a favorite treat for many. Here’s a traditional recipe to make Chinese Egg Cake at home:

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup cake flour (you can also use all-purpose flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Separate the egg yolks from the whites into two separate mixing bowls.
3. In the bowl with the egg yolks, add half of the sugar (1/2 cup) and beat using a hand mixer or stand mixer until pale and creamy. You can also add vanilla extract at this stage for flavor, if desired.
4. Gradually add vegetable oil and milk to the egg yolk mixture, continuing to beat until well combined.
5. Sift the cake flour and baking powder into the egg yolk mixture. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. In the bowl with the egg whites, use a clean mixer attachment or beaters to whip the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the remaining sugar (1/2 cup) while continuing to beat. Whip the egg whites until they reach stiff peaks – when you lift the beaters, the peaks should stand up straight without collapsing.
7. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the egg yolk batter in three additions. Use a spatula to fold until no streaks of egg whites remain, but be careful not to deflate the batter.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
9. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Slice and serve the Chinese Egg Cake on its own or with a dusting of powdered sugar on top. Enjoy the light and airy texture of this classic Chinese dessert!

Note: You can also add variations such as citrus zest or matcha powder for different flavors, but the basic recipe above creates a delicious traditional Chinese Egg Cake.

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