People have been asking me to share this delicious recipe for some time, with all my simple tips I am delighted to bring you this light fluffy Easy Sponge Cake Recipe
I am certain this is not MY sponge cake recipe. It has been in my handwritten recipe book for years so it will definitely originate somewhere else but I have enjoyed perfecting it over the years and gathering my tips to share with you below. There are many variations on sponge cakes, this is just the one I like to make. There are many that do not include butter, often considered the traditional sponge, some with cornflour, and of course everyone thinks THEY make the best sponge.
Apparently my Grandmother would drop her sponge & tin on the kitchen floor as soon as it comes out of the oven to ensure it doesn’t collapse, which seems like the total opposite to this method where you want to be more careful so that it stays light! Either way, this one is good, the other recipes are good too. Maybe I should just test them all!
I know sometimes these blog posts can appear long winded and full of chatter but I try to share more information throughout these posts rather than chat about my day so I hope you find this useful to read through before you embark on your sponge cake today! If this is your first time making a sponge take a minute to read what comes next.
Sponge Cakes are a delicious light cake, sometimes called a Genoise because of the added butter in this version, but they are a Sponge rather than a Cake because of all the added air and so little fat. The air is created due to the extended beating of the eggs, and the overall lightness of the ingredients and technique. I hope to give you a great method for creating this recipe yourself so you will be able to store this one away and enjoy making them forever.
If you are already a super sponge maker then feel free to add any of your own tips in the comments down below. I know there are lots of versions and lots of experts out there! I am not but its nice to share what I know for those still learning. There are many ways to serve sponge cake, our favourite is with lashings of cream, strawberries and jam. You can leave this plain, or even use as a base for Lamingtons!
The key to a lovely light sponge is to create air. This begins with the 10 minute beating of the eggs and sugar. This allows a lot of air to incorporate into the mixture, you can do this with either hand held electric beaters or the whisk attachment on a food processor. Next is sifting your dry ingredients 3 times to ensure once added they are as aerated and light as they can be, and finally very gentle combining of the ingredients. Some use their hands, I prefer to use a large metal spoon.
There is a bunch of equipment I like to have on hand, it might seem excessive but it works for me to recreate a gorgeously light and fluffy sponge. But you can do whatever works for you.
They are
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Food Mixer or Hand Held Mixer, with glass or metal bowl only
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2 Cake Tins of the Same Size
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2 Medium Bowls
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Sieve
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Metal Spoon
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Scales
The two bowls and sieve is to make the triple sieve easy for the dry ingredients, I simply pour from one bowl to the other through the sieve. I have included a video showing all of my steps for how I make my sponges. The scales are for measuring the batter in each cake tin to ensure they are the same size, you can of course just do this by how it looks.
Just A Mum’s Top Tips for The Best Easy Sponge Cake Recipe
Cake Tin Prep – I use two 20 cm round cake tins (8 inches). The first tip, you do not want to line sponge cake tins, it is important that it can form a crust against the sides of the tin. This is due to the cake having so little fat content. If you line the tin the sponges will be soggy. The Cake Tin Prep is simply a matter of greasing the tin with butter thoroughly, then adding flour and wriggling that around the tin until both the base and sides are covered in a thin but complete layer of flour.
Room Temperature – Ensure your eggs are at room temperature before you begin. If you forget this step you can bring them to room temperature more quickly by breaking them into a bowl which allows the air to warm them, or by steeping the eggs in their shells in luke warm water.
10 Minute Beating – On a medium speed you want to whisk the eggs and caster sugar for 8-10 minutes. This incorporates a lot of air into the mixture. You know the mixture is ready when you can drizzle the batter back onto itself and it sits on top of the mixture for a bit before dissolving. I check at 8 minutes, but always need the extra two minutes.
Triple Sift – I always triple sift my flour and baking powder, using two bowls, I simply tip the dry ingredients between two bowls to sift three times, this ensures it is light and airy. Also be sure when you are measuring your flour initially you fluff up the flour before scooping, level off your flour with a knife and do not tap it to settle. This ensures the correct measurement.
Folding – You can either use your hand or I use a large metal spoon to incorporate my flour mixture and then the butter. A gently cutting and folding movement ensures you do not lose that precious air you created with the 10 minute beating
Weighing – Ensuring all the ingredients are measured correctly is important, but also it is nice to have even sized cakes. So in order to achieve the even cakes, I measure them as I pour in the batter. Using my scales and ensuring that first my cake tins weigh the same, I pour approximately half the batter in the first pan while it sits on the scales, usually just under half. Then I pour half into the next pan on the scales. Then I alternate and top them up until they weigh the same. Then gently turn the pans to cover the base evenly of each pan
Baking – When placing the cakes in the oven be careful not to knock them or you will remove the air, then it is important to not open the oven for the first 15 minutes at least or they will collapse. They take between 15 & 18 minutes depending on your oven. You can usually fit both cakes on the one shelf for even cooking so you can use the basic Bake function. Do not pierce with a skewer to test if done, again this will collapse the cake. Instead it will bounce back to the touch once cooked.
Cooling – Once you remove from the oven you want to immediately turn the cake out onto cooling racks. To do this I have the racks ready, and turn the cake out onto my hand then invert onto a wire rack as per my video. This way the base goes on the rack ensures that the wire marks are on the middle. If you want no wire marks then simply place a few tea towels on the wire rack first. Ensure the sponges are away from a draft as this can also cause them to sink.
How your serve your Sponge Cake is completely up to you. We like ours with Jam, Cream and Strawberries if they are in season. Because this mixture makes two separate cakes there is no need to slice it in half which makes it nice and tidy to serve! It is hard to believe such a small amount of ingredients can make two lovely halves of a sponge. Sponges are best served fresh so if you are not eating it straight away I recommend wrapping the cakes in plastic wrap until ready to use, then assemble just before serving.
I then like to dust the sponge cake with a lovely dusting of icing sugar to finish. You can serve this straight away, I think sponge is best served just before eating as it is light and fluffy. Alternatively if you do need to store a cream filled sponge store it in the fridge which can make it go a little hard, so bring up to more of a room temperature slightly before serving if you chill it.
Are you still with me or have you simply scrolled on by to get to the recipe? I hope all these tips are helpful for first time sponge makers. I am no expert and I know people have been making sponge cakes for hundreds of years, it does not need to be complicated but it does have those few tips to make your sponge a winner each time.
Check out this post for my Easy Whipped Cream Recipe here
Onto the recipe, I cannot wait to see photos and messages to hear how your sponge cakes worked.
Easy Sponge Cake Recipe
Delicious light and airy, this is a lovely Easy Sponge Cake Recipe, lots of tips and hints to get the perfect sponge every time.
Ingredients
- 3 Size 7 Medium Eggs, room temperature
- ¾ Cup Caster Sugar, 158grams
- 1 Cup Plain White Flour * (less 2 Tablespoons, see below instructions), 117grams total
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 50 grams Butter, melted
- 2 Tablespoons Boiling Water
Instructions
- Before you make this recipe, if this is the first time you have made a sponge read my tips above for the perfect sponge every time
- Preheat the oven to 180C Bake
- Prepare the tins, you will need 2 20cm (8in) round cake tins
- Prepare the tins by greasing the base and sides of the tin with butter, then add a few tablespoons of flour, tip and rotate the pan until the sides and base are covered with flour
- Set aside the tins
- In a large glass or metal food mixer bowl add the room temperature eggs and caster sugar
- Set the mixer on medium and whip for 8 minutes. At this point check to see if the mixer leaves a trail that stays on top of the batter, if not whisk for a further two minutes.
- While the eggs and sugar are mixing prepare the flour and baking powder. From the cup of flour return 2 Tablespoons back to the flour bag. Using two bowls and a sieve, pour the flour and baking powder back and forward between the two bowls through the sieve. This ensures the flour is light and airy. I sift 3 times.
- Melt the butter and boil the kettle
- Once the egg and sugar mixture has finished whisking together, carefully add the sifted flour and baking powder. Using a large metal spoon or your hands, lightly cut and fold the mixture through. Taking care not to loose any of the air you just created. Continue until no flour remains visible
- Combine the melted butter and hot water and carefully pour this into the mix
- Repeat with the metal spoon cutting and folding until all of the butter has been incorporated
- Split the batter between the two prepared pans. I like to do this using scales to ensure both pans contain the same amount of batter
- Gently and lightly smooth out the batter
- Carefully place in the oven, careful not to bang the pans to loose air.
- Bake for 15 minutes without opening the oven door, at 15 minutes, open quickly to check if sponges are done, sponges are done once they spring back to a light touch, do not use a skewer.
- You may need to bake for up to 18 minutes or more for them to spring back to a light touch.
- Once baked immediately remove from the oven, carefully placing them on the bench.
- You want to remove the cakes from the pans immediately.
- Run a knife carefully around the edge of the sponge pan to release any cake from the pan.
- Carefully invert the sponge onto wire racks. You can do this by placing your hand gently on the sponge and turning the pan and your hand over so that you are holding the sponge, then place the wire rack on top of the sponge and invert this back the right way up. This way the top of the sponge is up and the base is on the wire rack.
- Allow the sponge to completely cool away from any drafts.
- Sponge Cakes are best served fresh, so if you wish to assemble it later you can wrap the cooled sponges carefully in plastic wrap, separately so they do not stick to each other.
- Prepare the cream using my Easy Whipped Cream Recipe, and use strawberry jam and strawberries.
- If made with cream and not eating straight away store covered in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Please see ALL of my notes in the main copy of my blog, lots of great tips to know before you begin to bake.
For the Easy Whipped Cream recipe please visit here
If you like the look of this Easy Sponge Cake Recipe then check out more of my delicious cake recipes here
Happy Baking!
mubshra sattar says
I tried this sponge cake today and it turned out fabulous. My cake had never been so spongy. It was amazing. Thank you so much for sharing such a perfect recipe in a detailed way. Love from Mubshra.
justamumnz says
My pleasure! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it.
Megan Woolridge says
Pls put share option on.
justamumnz says
Hi, not sure what you mean sorry?
Mary Booth says
I don’t understand what you mean by size 7 eggs or cup of flour. Can you help me as our eggs are small medium or large and weights here in the U.K. are in either grams or ounces. Thank you.
justamumnz says
Thank you for your message, if only measurements worldwide were the same! I have amended the recipe to include grams and the egg size is medium. Happy baking 🙂
Catherine Henry says
Hi Anna. I have never made a sponge before so this was my first attempt. I followed all the instructions and read all your tips. My cake didn’t rise. Just wondering if you can advise me. Thankyou.
justamumnz says
I am so sorry to hear that, it is hard to know where it went wrong without being there. Some things to check are the freshness of the eggs and baking powder. The reason a sponge rises is due to the air bubbles that are creating from the long mixing time, in this case up to 10 minutes. So with the combination of this technique and the rising agents is what makes a sponge rise. Gently folding through the next ingredients means that none of that lovely air escapes. It might be a matter of practicing more to get that lovely lightness if you think your ingredients are fine. Let me know how you get on. Anna
Paula Oliver says
I tried your recipe today as my first ever sponge cake. It was delicious! And it didnt sink! Got stuck in the pan even though i greased and floured it ?
justamumnz says
Oh no. I’m sorry to hear. The greasing and flouring is so important and can be a little tricky to get right initially. I hope you could still enjoy it.
Bonnie Forbes says
Thanks for the tips!
I’ve combibed my great nannas sponge recipe with your tips and it’s heloed created a fantastic result for my sponge. I actually used two loaf tins so it’s easier to slice and serve.
I also don’t add the butter and hot water to the mixture.
I’m looking forward to trying the firm whipped cream recipe. I was a little confused with the 50 ml cream in the small bowl? Do I add the pudding mix and essence and icing sugar to that before adding it to the 250 mls of cream?
Thanks again Anna
?Bon
justamumnz says
Yes, add it to the small amount of cream first. So glad you’ve enjoyed combining the recipe with your Nannas
Pam Badawy says
Hi Anna
Thank you
I am not a baker and I’m a little older many of your follows and in all those years I have never attempted a sponge – far to scary a process
My darling husband requested a sponge cake for his birthday ( intending I should buy one from Woolies) but I thought it was time !
I stumbled across your site and with such extensive instructions- I decided to give it a go!
The result was not perfect but I was so thrilled as it tasted so good that I have just finished making my 2nd as my daughter insisted on one for her birthday
Thankyou
I have just subscribed to your blog as I have a new found confidence to give it a go due to your detailed instructions
I look forward to attempting further baking
Regards Pam
justamumnz says
Hi Pam! Oh I am so pleased to hear that. Thank you for such lovely feedback. Anna
Jo says
I used this recipe to make my first ever sponge cake and the cake turned out really well. The tips are worth reading. If you are wanting to make a sponge cake you should give this one a go.
justamumnz says
Thank you, lovely feedback
Ruth says
This is not a sponge. A sponge doesn’t have butter in it.
justamumnz says
Thank you for your feedback
Janna Durano says
Hello! I am about to make this cake. Just wondering what if i only have 1 x 20cm cake tin. Can i just cool all the batter at once then slice it in half or can i cool half at a time?
justamumnz says
Probably better to cook half at a time otherwise it may overflow, but second one may not rise as well as first.
Jess says
I made your cake today and it turned out just as you said it should! Thank you for all your tips, they came in real handy. We are in Qld Australia ♡
simon dykes says
Can you just confirm that you use plain flour and not self raising flour for this recipe. All the other recipes I read use SR Flour AND baking powder but you appear to use plain flour
justamumnz says
That’s right, plain white flour, recipe is correct 🙂
simon dykes says
I have tried to make sponge cake (not your recipe) and both times the cake rises but then half way through the bake it sinks. It still tastes ok but obviously doesn’t look good and not sure what the cause. The other thing I notice is some recipes say once everything, ncluding flour, is combined then continue to mix/beat well whilst others like yours recommend minimum mixing/folding once you add in the flour
justamumnz says
There are many methods I agree. This one is simple and thorough in the hope it helps people get it right! Let me know how you get on with my method.
Gay says
Thanks so much for your concise and well-written notes. I followed the recipe to the letter, with success. The cake had that authentic sponge texture and slightly eggy flavour, mmm!
justamumnz says
Wonderful! I am so pleased it worked well for you.
Lisa says
I was looking forward to making and eating this sponge. I regularly make your recipes, and always have success-until this cake!
I read all the tips and followed the instructions, however my cake came out stodgy & heavy, not at all like the light sponge cake I was expecting.
I’m not sure where it all went wrong?
justamumnz says
It is so hard to know without being there with you I am sorry. Usually it is because there was not enough air incorporated into the batter so undermixing.
Huma says
What a PEREFECT sponge cake!!!!! I have tried tens of recipes but this is a 5 star rating. Awesome. Follow the steps and it turns out to be how you said it. Love from NZ
justamumnz says
I am so pleased to hear that!