Vanilla sponge cake is a very quick yet delightful treat. It’s perfect for an evening snack or a family get-together. But sometimes, grabbing one from a store can be time-consuming.
So, don’t worry. Today, we’re sharing the simplest Vanilla Sponge Cake Recipe that’s both delicious and easy to make. You’ll likely have all the ingredients you need right in your kitchen.
Let’s get started with this easy recipe by following the step-by-step guidance.
What Is Vanilla Sponge Cake
Vanilla sponge cake is a classic, light, and airy dessert made with basic ingredients like eggs, sugar, flour, and butter. This vanilla cake combines the fluffy texture of Japanese sponge cakes with the rich, buttery flavor of Western cakes. It’s sturdier than typical Japanese cakes, making it easier to decorate with heavier toppings.
It is characterized by its soft, fluffy texture and subtle vanilla flavor which makes it a versatile base for various desserts. The cake gets its spongy consistency from the incorporation of air into the batter.
The shelf life of this cake is around 4 days but it stays perfectly fresh for at least two days after it’s made. But it is good to make this cake on the same day you need to serve. You can pair it with toppings like fresh fruits, whipped cream, or syrups.
How To Make Vanilla Sponge Cake
This recipe guides you to create a soft and flavorful cake. Begin by beating two room-temperature eggs with sugar until the sugar dissolves completely. Then, you need to Incorporate it with softened butter, followed by sieved flour mixed with baking powder and a pinch of salt. All those ingredients help to make a smooth texture.
Add vanilla essence for a delightful scent and mix well to form a lump-free batter. Pour the batter into a greased mold and bake in a preheated oven at 160°C for 40 minutes.
Once baked, let the cake cool before demolding. Slice it into two equal portions and further into smaller pieces. Now you can have the cake slices with your favorite side dishes.
Vanilla Sponge Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup of sugar
- ⅓ cup of butter
- 1 cup of flour
- ½ teaspoon of baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence
Directions
- Start by taking 2 eggs in a bowl. The eggs should be at room temperature. Now add ½ cup of sugar to the eggs. Then beat the sugar until dissolved.
- Now add ⅓ of the butter and mix it well. Then, add 1 cup of flour, but before adding sieve the flour to enhance the texture. Also, you need to add ½ teaspoon of baking powder and a pinch of salt here and mix together in one direction with the help of a whisk.
- Then, add ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence to the cake mixture and mix it well. Our smooth batter is ready.
- Now, pour the smooth batter into an oil-greased mold. Now you need to bake it for 40 minutes in a preheated oven at 180-degree temperature.
- Take out the cake from Oven after 40 minutes. See! it is baked properly. Now allow some time to cool it down.
- Once it has cooled down, remove the cake from the mold. Then cut it into two equal portions.
- Then, cut the cake into small pieces. Now, put the small pieces on a baking tray.
Side Dishes Are Perfect with Vanilla Sponge Cake
If you are a fruit lover like me, pair your vanilla sponge cake with fresh slices of mango, kiwi, or orange. They’re easy to prepare and provide a refreshing, juicy contrast. My little brother, on the other hand, loves drizzling warm chocolate fudge sauce over his cake.
My dad enjoys pairing his cake with a dollop of mascarpone cream. Its smooth, mildly sweet flavor perfectly complements the lightness of the cake.
My sister swears by pairing the cake with a soothing chamomile tea. Its subtle floral notes create a calming balance to the cake’s sweetness. Another favorite in our home is strawberry dessert—a tangy and vibrant topping that brings a burst of fruity brightness to every slice.
Chef’s Tips
- Always use room-temperature eggs and butter to ensure a smooth, lump-free batter and better mixing.
- Sifting the flour and baking powder together adds air to the mixture, creating a light and fluffy cake.
- Use butter or oil to grease the mold thoroughly to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Check the cake with a toothpick after 35 minutes, if it comes out clean, the cake is done.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling and achieve clean cuts.
- For added depth, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the batter.