Name: The Best Vanilla Sponge Cake Recipe | Genoise
Prep time: 50 min
Ingredients: 5 Eggs (separated); 3/4 cup 150g Sugar; Pinch Salt; 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract; 1 cup + 2 Tbsp. (150g All-purpose flour); 3 tablespoons Milk; 3 tablespoons Oil

The Best Vanilla Sponge Cake Recipe | Genoise

By David | Published: Mar 19, 2021 | Updated: Aug 19, 2024

4 from 38 votes

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This vanilla sponge cake is the best sponge cake I’ve ever made! The cake is pillowy, soft, spongy and yet, a bit moist. The sponge cake is perfect for so many cake recipes. This sponge cake is also known as Genoise and it’s much easier to make than you probably think it is.

The Best Vanilla Sponge Cake Recipe | Genoise

4 from 38 votes

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Prep Time 50

WORK TIME 15

DIFFICULTY Medium

Cuisine European

Servings yields

Ingredients

5 Eggs separated
¾ cup 150g Sugar
Pinch Salt
1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
1 cup + 2 Tbsp. 150g All-purpose flour
3 tablespoons Milk
3 tablespoons Oil

Instructions

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DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 340F (170C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 8-inch (20cm) round cake pan. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy, then gradually add sugar, until stiff peak form.
3. Add egg yolks and whisk until combined.
4. Sift in flour and gently fold until combined.
5. In a small bowl whisk milk, oil and vanilla extract. Add 1-2 tablespoons from the cake batter and mix until combined. Pour into the cake mixture, gently whisk until combined.
6. Pour the batter into prepared pan, tap the pan on the table to release air bubbles and bake for 30-35 minutes.
7. Allow to cool.
Frequently asked questions:
CAN WE MAKE VANILLA SPONGE CAKE AHEAD OF TIME?
Yes, you can make vanilla sponge cake ahead of time. Keep it in the refrigerator, covered, up to 3 days, then frost with your favorite frosting and serve.
WHAT MAKES THIS VANILLA SPONGE CAKE SO AIRY?
What makes this sponge cake (Genoise) so soft and airy is the use of separated eggs. First we whip the egg whites, then add the egg yolks, this makes the cake very airy and spongy.
HOW CAN WE FROST THIS SPONGE CAKE?
There is plenty option to frost or decorate this sponge cake. You can cut the cake in half, spread whipped cream in the middle, top with some fresh fruits, then top with the second layer of cake and repeat the process with the top of the cake. You also can use chocolate buttercream to frost this cake, vanilla cream cheese frosting.

Video

Nutrition information is automatically generated and thus we can not guarantee it is 100% accurate.

4 Comments

Can I use cake flour instead of all purpose? Also how can incorporate other flavor like ube or mocha? How much can I add?

March 21, 2021

My cake looks just like yours, absolutely beautiful! However, it’s dry and tasteless; hoping a good brush of lemon simple syrup will help. Could I possibly have overbeaten the egg whites? I’ve read that a structurally strong meringue requires a long time of beating (5-7 min) so this is what I did. Thoughts?

February 3, 2022