This feather-light sponge cake recipe was given to me by the always-gracious food writer Shirley Sarvis. When I asked her the reason for adding water to sponge cake batter, she replied, “For moisture, of course!” It is indeed a wonderfully moist sponge cake, and I use it in many desserts, including Coconut Layer Cake (page 59), Lemon Semifreddo (page 65), and Coconut and Tropical Fruit Trifle (page 70). The cake can be baked in a baking sheet with sides, often referred to as a jelly-roll pan, or in a 9-inch (23-cm) round springform pan.

　　

Ingredients

makes one 12 by 18-inch (30 by 46cm) sheet cake or one 9-inch (23-cm) round cake

　　1 1/2 cups (195 g) cake flour

　　1/2 teaspoon baking powder

　　1/4 teaspoon salt

　　5 large eggs, separated, at room temperature

　　1/4 cup (60 ml) cold water

　　1 cup (200 g) sugar

　　1 teaspoon vanilla extract

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter just the bottom of a 12 by 18-inch (30 by 46-cm) rimmed baking sheet or 9-inch (23-cm) springform pan with sides at least 2 inches (5 cm) high. Line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper.

　　

Step 2

Into a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

　　

Step 3

In a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, whisk together the egg yolks and water on high speed for 1 minute. Decrease the speed to medium, add the sugar and vanilla, then increase the speed to high and continue to whisk until the mixture forms a ribbon when the whip is lifted, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

　　

Step 4

In a clean, dry bowl and with a clean whip attachment, whisk the egg whites on high speed in the stand mixer until they form stiff peaks.

　　

Step 5

Using one hand, gradually sift the flour mixture over the beaten yolks, and using a whisk with the other hand, fold it in. (Setting the bowl on a damp towel will help steady it while you sift and fold.) When the flour is completely incorporated, use a rubber spatula to fold in one-third of the whipped egg whites to lighten the batter, then fold in the remaining whites.

　　

Step 6

Pour the batter into the prepared baking sheet or springform pan and quickly spread it in an even layer. Bake until the cake is browned and the center springs back when gently pressed with a finger, 15 to 18 minutes in a baking sheet or 40 to 45 minutes in a cake pan. Let cool in the pan.

　　

Step 7

Run a knife around the sides of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Invert the cake onto a cutting board or large plate.

　　

Storage

Step 8

The cake will keep at room temperature for 3 days, or in the freezer for 1 month.

　　

Variations

Step 9

You can add the grated zest of 1 lemon or orange to the batter along with the egg whites. Instead of the vanilla extract, you can use 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.

　　

tip

Step 10

Sponge cake is easier to slice if made a day in advance.

　　Ready for Dessert by David Lebovitz. Copyright © 2010 by David Lebovitz. Published by Ten Speed Press. All Rights Reserved.David Lebovitz lived in San Francisco for twenty years before moving to Paris. He baked at several notable restaurants before starting his career as a cookbook author and food writer. He's the author of four highly regarded books on desserts, and has written for many major food magazines, sharing his well-tested recipes written with a soupçon of humor. His popular, award-winning blog, www.davidlebovitz.com, entertains readers from around the world with sweet and savory recipes as he tries to unravel the complexities of living in Paris.