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Chinese Sponge Cake
Similar to chiffon cake, but less sweet and with a slightly bouncier, leaner crumb, this is the type of plain, unadorned sponge cake sold in Chinese bakeries. Often called Hong Kong cupcakes and baked in paper wrappers in individual cone-shaped portions, the cakes are eaten out of hand with coffee or tea as a breakfast or snack. We bake our version in a springform pan with a parchment liner that results in charmingly uneven edges. The top domes during baking, then deflates while cooling, leaving a wrinkled surface. We flavor our cake with vanilla and add extra yolks for richness. It’s best the day of, but leftovers will keep wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for up to three days; bring to room temperature before serving.
8-10
Servings
Don’t add the flour mixture all at once to the yolk base. Alternating additions of dry ingredients and egg whites ensures an evenly mixed batter without over-mixing, resulting in a denser, less feathery crumb.
1½ hours
35 minutes active, plus cooling
Ingredients
-
120
grams (1 cup) cake flour
-
2
tablespoons cornstarch
Directions
-
01Heat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the middle position. Cut a 12- to 14-inch round of kitchen parchment. Mist a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray and line the pan with the parchment, pushing the paper into the edge and against the sides, allowing it to form folds and pleats; mist the parchment. In a small bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt, making sure there are no lumps.