Mini castella cakes, also known as kasutera cakes, are delicious Japanese sponge cakes with a rich history. Here’s a simple recipe to make mini castella cakes at home:
Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cake flour
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Prepare mini cake molds or muffin tins by greasing them with cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare Batter:
- In a mixing bowl, crack the eggs and add sugar.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until pale, fluffy, and doubled in volume. This may take about 8-10 minutes on medium-high speed.
- Add Flavorings:
- Add honey, milk, and vanilla extract to the egg mixture. Gently fold in with a spatula until well combined.
- Fold in Flour:
- Sift cake flour into the batter in small batches. Use a spatula to gently fold the flour into the batter after each addition. Be careful not to overmix; stop folding once the flour is fully incorporated.
- Fill Cake Molds:
- Pour the batter into the prepared mini cake molds or muffin tins, filling each mold about 3/4 full. Tap the molds lightly on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
- Bake:
- Place the filled molds in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve:
- Once baked, remove the mini castella cakes from the oven and let them cool in the molds for a few minutes. Then, carefully remove the cakes from the molds and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy:
- Serve the mini castella cakes as they are or dust them with powdered sugar for an extra touch. They are delicious as a snack or dessert with tea or coffee.
These mini castella cakes are soft, fluffy, and lightly sweet, making them perfect for any occasion or as a delightful treat for yourself.
Feel free to adjust the sweetness by altering the amount of sugar or honey according to your preference. You can also experiment with adding citrus zest or matcha powder for unique flavors!
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