Angel Food Cake

This angel food cake recipe easy is a classic cake that is served with fresh fruit and whipped cream. It is light, spongy and is made with simple ingredients. Skip the store-bought cake and learn how to make this classic cake.

This easy cake recipe is one of our favorites desserts to make. The light and airy texture makes this cake perfect for any occasion. There is nothing better than a homemade cake. You may also love this Strawberry Angel Food Cake.

What is an Angel Food Cake?

Angel Food Cake is light, airy with a spongy texture. If you are a baker, you probably already have everything you need to make this cake. The cloud-like texture makes this cake perfect year round.

It is perfect served with fresh fruit and whipped cream. You can eve sift powdered sugar over the top or a delicious glaze.

Why We Love Angel Food Cake

• Simple Ingredients – We love that this cake only requires a few ingredients. It is the perfect cake to make last minute when you need a quick and easy dessert.
• Light Texture – Regular cake can be to rich but this cake is light and airy.
• Variation Toppings – One of my favorite things about this cake is the many ways you can serve it. We love to top with fresh berries and whipped cream. I have even frosted it with a lemons glaze.
• Crowd Favorite – If you are looking for a cake that is sure to impress your guest. Make this classic angel food cake. We love to display on a cake stand for a quick and easy dessert.

Ingredients 

• Cake Flour – Gives the cake a soft and tender texture
• Granulated Sugar – gives the cake a hint of sweetness
• Large Egg Whites – We recommend using room temperature eggs
• Cream of Tartar – Added as a flavor enhancer and leavening agent
• Vanilla Extract – Adds warm vanilla flavors

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

How to Make Angel Food Cake 

• Step 1 – Heat Oven – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the oven rack to a lower middle position.  

Step 2 – Prepare Sugar – Place the sugar in a food processor and pulse until the sugar is fine and powdery.  Remove 1 cup of sugar from the food processor and set aside. 

Step 3 – Add Ingredients – Leave the remaining sugar in the food processor and add in the cake flour and salt.  Pulse these ingredients together in the food processor until the mixture is combined and light. 

Step 4 – Combine Egg Whites – Whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar in a large mixing bowl. Mix in a large bowl of a stand mixer or hand held mixer. Mix with a whisk attachment until the mixture is light and foamy (approximately 1 minute).

Step 5 – Soft Peaks – Reduce the mixer speed to medium. Then slowly add in the 1 cup of sugar that was set aside.  Mix until soft peaks are formed (5-6 minutes).  

Step 6 – Add in Vanilla Extract – Add in the vanilla extract and mix until just combined. Gently fold in the flour mixture into the whipped egg whites.  Add ¼ cup of the dry mixture at a time and gently fold in the mixture with a spatula.  Continue this process until all of the dry ingredients are mixed in. 

Step 7 – Pour Batter – Pour the batter into a 9 or 10 inch tub pan (ungreased).  Gently tap the pan on a countertop to get out any air bubbles.  

Step 8 – Bake Cake – Bake cake for 35-40 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the cake is golden brown.  

Step 9 – Remove Cake – Remove the cake from the oven.  Cool the cake upside down on a wire rack until the cake is completely cooled (2-3 hours). 

• Step 11 – Release Cake – Run a serrated knife around the edges of the pan (inner and outer).  Gently tap the pan on the counter until the cake is released from the pan. 
• Step 12 – Serve and Enjoy – Serve topped with powdered sugar, whipped or fresh berries.  Enjoy!  

What does Angel Food Cake Taste Like?

Angel Food Cake is a light vanilla flavor. It is now to sweet so it pairs perfectly with many different toppings.

Variations Ideas

• Cake Flour – We used cake flour in this recipe, but you can also use all purpose flour. The taste and texture may be a little different but it will still be delicious.
• Glaze – Feel free to make a glaze to serve over the top of this homemade angel food cake recipe. It would be delicious with lemon juice added. We have glazed it with a chocolate sauce or chocolate ganache and served with fresh berries.

Recipe Tips

• Sugar – Use a food processor to pulse the sugar to make it fine and powdery.
• Egg Yolks – When adding in the egg whites, you do not want any egg yolks in your batter. Make sure to separate them in a separate bowl.
• Mixing Ingredients – When mixing the egg whites with the cream of tartar, blend with a hand mixer. You want soft peaks to form instead of stiff peaks. Blend the ingredients with a mixer on medium-high speed.
• Folding in the Flour Mixture – Carefully fold in the flour mixture with the egg white mixture. We like to do about ¼ cup at a time.
• Angel Food Cake Pan – There is no need to grease the pan before pouring in the cake batter. You can also use a bundt pan or tube pan to make this cake.
• Cooling Cake – When the cake is finished baking, you will cool on a cooling rack. Cool upside-down on the rack until completely cool.
• Removing Cake from Pan – When it is time to move the cake from the pan. Use a knife to help with the process.

What to Serve with Angel Food Cake

We loving serving this cake for many different special occasion. These are some of our favorite sides to serve with it.

• Fresh Fruit
• Whip Cream
• Strawberry Ice Cream
• Dice up the cake and make a Triple Berry Trifle

Storage Tips

• Storing – Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  If you do not have a large container to store, cut into slices. Then wrap in plastic wrap and store in a zip lock bag.
• Freezer – We recommend cutting Angel Food Cake into slices and then wrapping with plastic wrap. Store in an airtight container or a ziplock bag.
  If stored properly this delicious cake will last about 3 months.