This easy sponge cake is soft, fluffy, and light as air! It's a simple recipe for basic sponge cake made with ingredients including cake flour, beaten eggs, and sugar for an easy, simple sponge cake that's moist and soft!
This easy sponge cake recipe is passed down from my mom, a retired pastry chef, which I've simplified to make it easy for the home baker. It's an incredibly fluffy, soft, moist, and light cake which can be used with any frosting and filling.
This cake can be sliced into layers and used as a base for any layered cake which makes it perfect for any occasion including birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and other holidays! I've used this recipe for Japanese Strawberry Shortcake and for Swiss Roll Cake.
What is sponge cake?
Sponge cake is a light and airy cake that's that's leavened with beaten eggs instead of yeast. Sometimes baking powder is added for more volume. The beaten eggs act as a rising agent, giving the cake a fluffy, light texture.
There are several types of sponge cakes: chiffon cake, Swiss roll cake, castella cake, angel food cake, genoise cake, and Victoria sponge cake. Though similar ingredients are used, they vary slightly by technique and filling.
Ingredients
The ingredients needed for a basic sponge cake are very simple:
- Cake flour - This gives the cake a lighter, more delicate texture compared with all purpose flour.
- Eggs - Beaten eggs give this cake it's volume.
- Sugar - Use fine granulated white sugar for best results.
- Vegetable oil - This helps keep the cake moist and rich.
- Baking powder - This gives extra volume and rise to the cake.
Step by Step Photos
Here's how to make easy sponge cake with step by step instructions with photos:
- First, beat the egg whites to firm peaks. The tips should fall but the base of the meringue should hold its shape.
- Next, beat the egg yolks, sugar, salt, vanilla, honey, and water together until pale yellow and fluffy. Gradually increase to high speed for best results.
- Combine half the egg whites with the egg yolk mixture and gently fold being careful not to deflate any of the egg whites or egg yolk mixture.
- Sift in the cake flour and baking powder and fold gently. Next add the vegetable oil. Tip: To help incorporate the oil, first mix in a bit of batter with the oil. Then add to the remaining batter.
- Add the remaining half of the egg whites and gently fold together.
- Pour into a six inch cake pan lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees F until a toothpick comes out clean.
The cake will increase in volume as it bakes and have a golden brown crust all over when done. Remove all the parchment paper and allow it to cool completely on a cooling rack.
Ways to Use Sponge Cake
Use this easy recipe as a base for any layered cake or even a roll cake! Here are a few ideas:
- Japanese Strawberry Shortcake
- Swiss Roll Cake
- Chocolate Roll Cake
- Birthday Cakes
- Christmas Cakes
Pro Tips
- Avoid over beating the egg whites as it will result in a lumpy cake with too many air bubbles. When lifting your whisk, you want the tip of the peak to fall slightly. Over beaten egg whites will look grainy and lumpy.
- Mix the egg yolk mixture on high speed. It's ready when it forms a ribbon trail that lasts three to four seconds when dropped from the whisk.
- When adding the vegetable oil, mix in a little bit of the batter first. This helps incorporate the oil without deflating the batter.
- Sponge cake is done baking when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Look for a raised center and a golden brown color.
- Wait until it completely cools before slicing. This helps get smooth, even layers without tearing.
- The best way to slice layers is to use a cake knife or any long, thin knife with a serrated edge. You can also use a cake leveler for even slices.
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Recipe
Easy Sponge Cake
☑ Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup cake flour
- ⅞ cup white sugar - divided
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar - (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 6 eggs - whites and yolks separated
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Beat Egg Whites
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat egg whites with the cream of tartar (if using) on high until it becomes foamy. Next, add ⅓ of the amount of sugar and beat on high until firm peaks form. When lifting the whisk, look for the tip to drop slightly. Set aside.⅞ cup white sugar, 6 eggs, ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
Egg Yolk Mixture
- In a large bowl, add the egg yolks, the remaining ⅔ sugar, salt, water, honey, and vanilla. Beat on high until fluffy, pale yellow ribbons form when lifting the whisk. The ribbon should remain for 3 to 4 seconds. Add half the egg whites to the egg yolk mixture and fold gently.⅞ cup white sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, 6 eggs, 2 Tablespoons water, 2 teaspoons honey, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Add Dry Ingredients and Oil
- Make batter: Sift the flour and baking powder into the egg yolk mixture in three parts, gently folding after each time. Next add the vegetable oil. Tip: To help incorporate the oil better, mix a few spoonfuls of the batter with the oil before adding.1 cup cake flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- Add the remaining ½ of the egg whites to the batter and fold gently until well combined, taking care not to deflate the batter.
Bake
- Line two 6 inch cake pans with parchment paper along the sides and bottom. Pour the batter and bang the pan twice to remove large air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the crust is golden brown with a raised center, about 27 to 30 minutes. See Notes section for additional baking times.
- Remove all the parchment paper and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing. Use a cake leveler for even slices. Serve with whipped cream and fruit or make a layered cake. Enjoy!
✎ Recipe Notes
- Two 6-inch pans: about 27 to 30 minutes
- Three 6-inch pans: about 18 minutes
- Four 6-inch pans: 15 to 16 minutes
- 9x13 inch pan: about 18 minutes
- The most likely reason is due to improperly beating the egg whites. It's very easy to over or under-beat egg whites. Over-beaten egg whites will look grainy and lumpy.
- Old or expired baking powder. Check the dates on your ingredients.
- Baking temperatures can also affect the rise of sponge cakes. It's important not to open the oven as the temperature drop can cause the sponge cake to collapse and deflate. Use an oven thermometer or calibrate your oven if not done recently.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.
FAQ
Yes you can make this sponge cake ahead of time and freeze. It thaws wonderfully and stays moist, fluffy, and soft. Be sure to store in an airtight, freezer safe container to avoid frost. Thaw in the fridge.
Sponge cakes can deflate due to several reasons. The most likely reason is due to improperly beating the egg whites. It's very easy to over or under beat egg whites. Over beaten egg whites will look grainy and lumpy.
Old or expired leaveners such as baking powder or baking soda can result in deflated sponge cakes. Check the dates on your ingredients.
Baking temperatures can also affect the rise of sponge cakes. It's important not to open the oven as the temperature drop can cause the sponge cake to collapse and deflate.
Regular cake is typically leavened with only baking powder or baking soda. However sponge cake uses whipped egg whites to create volume and rise, which makes sponge cake light and fluffy.
Teegan
This cake is amazing! So yummy and has become a family fav!
I was wondering if I could add food colouring to the batter or would the extra mixing deflate the batter/cake?
Jamie
Hi Teegan! I haven't tried adding food coloring to the cake but I would recommend using a gel food coloring and look for one that's bake stable to ensure the color stays true after it's baked.
Alli
What degrees and how long would I cook in a bundt pan?
Jamie
Hi Alli! I would bake at 350 degrees F and check to see if it's ready after it's done rising. I would advise against using a non-stick bundt pan as the coating will prevent the cake from rising.
Wenhui Wu
Do I have to add honey?
Jamie
You can substitute with corn syrup or agave syrup. 🙂
Mary
Have you ever made cupcakes with this recipe. Love the cake
Izzy
I've tried dozens of sponge cake recipes online and this is the BEST one! The technique is worth the extra effort because you'll end up with a high quality sponge cake like something out of a bakery. It does take skill though so I recommend reading the recipe and reading it again.
Leah M.
Trust me when I say this recipe is a winner! It takes some practice but once you figure out the cake mixture, you'll understand why this recipe is so highly rated. I've made all sorts of cakes using this recipe as a base. Easily one of the best cakes I've tasted.
Anita
Hi, can this cake be made a couple of days in advance and kept in an airtight container at room temperature?
Jamie
Hi Anita! If it's a couple of days, I would recommend freezing the cake for freshness and thawing it at room temperature or in the fridge. It tastes just as good as the day it's baked!
Jill
I have a question, will this cake bake properly if I use a large cookie scoop and bake them on a parchment lined sheet tray?
Jamie
Hi Jill! I don't think the batter would say in a cookie shape if that's what you're asking?
Brianna
My husband said this was the best sponge cake I've ever made. It was moist and soft with the most tender crumb. I'm in love with it!!
Cat
This is my go-to recipe for cakes now. It’s amazing, doesn’t taste eggy once cooked and cooked and if it’s wrapped in clingfilm in a cool environment, it stays soft and springy and mould-free for over a week!
A tip I’ve discovered is if I don’t line my tin, the cake doesn’t deflate. The one time I did line my tin, the sponges flopped on me. I’m an imprecise baker at the best of times so not lining has saved me from my lack of following the rules 100%.
Jamie
Thank you Cat! That's so great to hear this is your go-to recipe for cakes!
Ket
Hi, can I use 2 6inch square pans instead of round? I have round but want to make a square.
Jamie
Absolutely! The cooking times should be about the same for square pans.
jAS
can i use this cake mix for cupcakes?
Jamie
Yes you can! If using a non-stick cupcake pan, be sure to use cupcake liners so the batter has something to 'grip onto' as it rises. 🙂
Sarah
Where does the second lot of sugar go?
Jamie
Hi Sarah! Use 1/3 of the total amount of sugar to beat the egg whites. Then, use the remaining 2/3 of the sugar to beat the egg yolk mixture. Hope that helps!
Tilly
Hi! Is there anything I can use as a substitute for vegetable oil. I’ve heard you can use butter would that work?
Jamie
Hi Tilly! I wouldn't substitute butter for the vegetable oil since butter contains about 15% water. If you'd like, you can try my Genoise Sponge Cake recipe which contains butter.
Melita
How will adding food coloring affect the cake?
Jamie
Hi Melita! I haven't tried adding food coloring but I don't see a reason why this would affect the cake as long as you don't use too much. I'd recommend a gel based food coloring that's bake stable.
Eileen
Can I make this using a bundt cake pan?
Joy
This came out perfect! I used all purpose flour and it was still soft and spongy. I bet it would taste even better with cake flour. Trying again next week. Thanks!
Nick
This is my favorite sponge cake recipe. I like to try new recipes now and then but none of them have been as good as this one. There's a reason I keep coming back to this. Phenomenal results every time!
Cindy Colby
What SIZE eggs do you use ? And do they need to be at room temperature ? Many cake recipes call for room temp. eggs.
Jamie
Hi Cindy! I used large eggs for this recipe and didn't need them to be at room temperature. Hope that helps!
Pram
Could I replace cake flour with plain flour thanks
Jamie
Hi Pram! I don't recommend using plain flour for this recipe since the higher gluten will make the cake tough and dense.
Lori
We love simple cakes like this, and you have made it easy and delicious! ❤️ It's perfect for dessert. So delectable! 😊 Thanks for sharing! 👍
Jamie
Thank you Lori! 🙂