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:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Separate the egg yolks from the whites into two separate mixing bowls.
- 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.
- Gradually add vegetable oil and milk to the egg yolk mixture, continuing to beat until well combined.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 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.
- 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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