Description
A magical one-batter cake that bakes into two layers: a silky, creamy custard on the bottom and a light, tender sponge on top, chilled and dusted with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
4 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 g) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (480 ml) whole milk, lukewarm
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then the vanilla.
3. Beat in the flour until smooth. Slowly pour in the lukewarm milk while mixing on low until you have a smooth, thin batter.
4. In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites with the pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
5. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter in 2 or 3 additions. The batter will be thin and may look lumpy, with streaks of foam, which is normal.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared dish.
7. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden and the cake is set but slightly wobbly in the center.
8. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until well chilled, so the custard layer sets.
9. Dust with powdered sugar, cut into 9 squares, and serve.
Notes
Based on the Creamy Custard Cake published by Mr. Food (4 separated eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 stick of butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2 cups of milk, a 325°F oven, an 8-inch square dish, folding in the whipped whites last, a 45 to 50 minute bake, and serving 9 are from the source). The mixing order, the salt, the lukewarm milk, the chilling time, and the powdered sugar dusting are estimates based on other published magic custard cake recipes, and the recipe has not been tested.
The batter is very thin, which is correct. It separates into layers as it bakes.
Cool and chill the cake completely before slicing so the custard layer sets.
Nutrition is an approximate estimate per slice (9 slices).
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 259
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 54mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 115mg