Posted by eyupp on August 23, 2017August 17, 2022

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

The quintessential classic of the cake world, this airy queen of teas is the guest of honor on National Sponge Cake Day on August 23rd. You have to try this old fashioned lemon flavored Glorious Sponge Cake recipe listed below.

One of the trickiest cakes for bakers to master, a perfect sponge stands tall with a fine crumb while remaining moist. Often served with fresh whipped cream and berries, sponge cake layers nicely as well.

The sponge cake is believed to be one of the first non-yeasted cakes.

Believed to have originated in the Caribbean, the earliest English printed recipe for sponge cake is in the 1615 book of English poet and author Gervase Markham entitled The English Huswife, Containing the Inward and Outward Virtues Which Ought to Be in a Complete Woman.

Five Food Finds about Spongecake:

• During the renaissance, Italian cooks became famous for their baking skills and were hired by households in both England and France.

• The new items that they introduced were called “biscuits,” though they were the forerunner of what we now consider to be sponge cake.

• Gervase Markham (1568-1637), English poet and author, recorded the earliest sponge cake recipe in English in 1615.

• These sponge cakes were most likely thin, crisp cakes (more like modern cookies).

• By the middle of the 18th century, yeast had fallen into disuse as a raising agent for cakes in favor of beaten eggs.

DIRECTIONS

1. Separate the eggs. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg yolks until very thick and lemon colored. Beat in sugar gradually. Add water, lemon extract and lemon rind. Beat in flour. 2. In another bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Then add cream of tartar and salt. Beat mixture until whites are stiff, but not until they are dry. Fold this whipped mixture into yolk mixture.

3. Pour batter into an ungreased 9 inch tube pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for one hour, or until done.