Lemon and Vanilla Angel Food Cake
Photo: Thomas J. Story
This delicate, cloudlike cake from Kristen Murray, pastry chef and owner of Maurice restaurant in Portland, is an adaptation of one from her great-aunt Crys, using rice flour for regular flour so the cake is gluten-free, with a little crunch. For best results, beat egg whites to very soft peaks so they (and the cake) can expand further in the oven.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Let egg whites come to cool room temperature. Preheat oven to 375°. Spread rice flour in a pie pan and bake, stirring a few times, until light golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let flour cool (chill to speed up), then stir in 1/4 cup superfine sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla seeds. Sift mixture or rub through a coarse strainer to release oil from zest (add any flavorings that don't go through back to flour); set aside.
Step 2
2
Butter a 10-in. tube pan with a removable bottom and dust with 1 1/2 tbsp. superfine sugar; set aside. In a small bowl, blend remaining 1 1/2 cups superfine sugar with the cream of tartar.
Step 3
3
In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites with salt on medium speed. When frothy, gradually add sugar mixture over about 1 1/2 minutes. Add vinegar in a slow stream. Continue to beat on medium speed until whites are glossy and hold very soft peaks that fold over when whisk is lifted, 8 to 9 minutes.
Step 4
4
With a large plastic spatula, transfer whites to a wide bowl. Sprinkle with one-third of flour mixture and gently fold in. Repeat with remaining flour. Pour batter into pan; spread level.
Step 5
5
Bake cake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° and continue to bake until cake is deep golden, begins to pull from sides of pan, and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 minutes. Set on a cooling rack until barely cool enough to handle, 10 minutes. Place a cake stand over pan, gently invert cake, and remove pan bottom. Let cool completely, 1 hour.
Step 6
6
Sift powdered sugar over cake and serve with candied kumquats.
Step 7
7
*Find at supermarkets and bobsredmill.com.
Step 8
8
Make ahead: Through step 5, 1 day.
Ingredients
1 cup (8 large) egg whites
2/3 cup white rice flour*
1 3/4 cups plus 1 1/2 tbsp. superfine sugar, divided
Zest of 1 lemon
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon Champagne vinegar
1 pinch of kosher salt
Powdered sugar
Directions
Step 1
1
Let egg whites come to cool room temperature. Preheat oven to 375°. Spread rice flour in a pie pan and bake, stirring a few times, until light golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let flour cool (chill to speed up), then stir in 1/4 cup superfine sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla seeds. Sift mixture or rub through a coarse strainer to release oil from zest (add any flavorings that don't go through back to flour); set aside.
Step 2
2
Butter a 10-in. tube pan with a removable bottom and dust with 1 1/2 tbsp. superfine sugar; set aside. In a small bowl, blend remaining 1 1/2 cups superfine sugar with the cream of tartar.
Step 3
3
In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites with salt on medium speed. When frothy, gradually add sugar mixture over about 1 1/2 minutes. Add vinegar in a slow stream. Continue to beat on medium speed until whites are glossy and hold very soft peaks that fold over when whisk is lifted, 8 to 9 minutes.
Step 4
4
With a large plastic spatula, transfer whites to a wide bowl. Sprinkle with one-third of flour mixture and gently fold in. Repeat with remaining flour. Pour batter into pan; spread level.
Step 5
5
Bake cake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° and continue to bake until cake is deep golden, begins to pull from sides of pan, and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 minutes. Set on a cooling rack until barely cool enough to handle, 10 minutes. Place a cake stand over pan, gently invert cake, and remove pan bottom. Let cool completely, 1 hour.
Step 6
6
Sift powdered sugar over cake and serve with candied kumquats.
Step 7
7
*Find at supermarkets and bobsredmill.com.
Step 8
8
Make ahead: Through step 5, 1 day.
Search All of Sunset's Recipes
The Latest
5 Ways to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden with Fall Plantings
