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Lemon and Vanilla Angel Food Cake





Yields
Serves 8



Hands-on Time
1 hr 45 mins



Cool Time
1 hr



Total Time
2 hrs 45 mins

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.

su-Lemon and Vanilla Angel Food Cake Image




Photo: Thomas J. Story
 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
  Candied Kumquats
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.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0

Amount Per Serving
Calories 330Calories from Fat 1
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.4g1%

Saturated Fat 0.0g0%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 66mg3%
Total Carbohydrate 80g27%

Dietary Fiber 1.8g8%
Protein 4.5g9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.