Castella
Description
The recipe for making this sponge cake is very simple, but it requires observing the temperature regime and the sequence of all actions, which are detailed in the step-by-step instructions.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- 2
Step 2
Preheat the oven in advance (180 degrees) and prepare the pan. If the pan is not silicone, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper as a precaution.
- 3
Step 3
To make the paper stick to the sides of the pan, butter them.
- 4
Step 4
Then secure the paper edges.
- 5
Step 5
Sprinkle the bottom of the prepared pan with brown cane sugar.
- 6
Step 6
Combine white and cane sugar.
- 7
Step 7
Mix the sugar.
- 8
Step 8
Add two tablespoons of hot water to the honey.
- 9
Step 9
Stir the honey with water.
- 10
Step 10
Sift the flour two or three times so that it becomes airy.
- 11
Step 11
Separate the yolks and whites of 5 eggs; set aside one white for other recipes, we won’t need it.
- 12
Step 12
Add a pinch of salt to the 4 egg whites.
- 13
Step 13
And whisk on low speed until a light foam forms.
- 14
Step 14
Add the mixed granulated sugar in portions and whisk until it dissolves.
- 15
Step 15
Then add the egg yolks one at a time, continuing to beat.
- 16
Step 16
Add the flour, one tablespoon at a time, to the beaten mixture and continue beating.
- 17
Step 17
Finally, add the honey and whisk on the highest speed.
- 18
Step 18
Ultimately, the dough looks fluffy, all the granulated sugar should dissolve.
- 19
Step 19
Pour the batter into the baking pan, straining it through a sieve as you do so.
- 20
Step 20
Even out the batter across the entire surface. To get rid of bubbles on top and inside, lift the pan with the batter above the table and tap it against the tabletop several times; this will level the batter again and eliminate bubbles inside—do this 3–4 times. By this time the oven has already heated to 180 °C. Bake for about 50 minutes. Do not open the oven door during the first 20–30 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick. After the sponge cake has baked, slightly open the oven door and let it sit inside for 15–20 minutes.
- 21
Step 21
Remove the slightly cooled sponge cake from the oven.
- 22
Step 22
Remove the sponge cake from the pan.
- 23
Step 23
Wrap the sponge cake in cling film and let it “rest” for several hours (at least 1 hour).
- 24
Step 24
Trim the side edges off the sponge cake, and cut it into serving pieces.
- 25
Step 25
You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
- 26
Step 26
And now you can enjoy a light and fragrant sponge cake; it goes perfectly with tea or coffee. Additionally, you can serve jam or preserves with the pastry.