I have a complicated relationship with desserts and cakes. You see, I really love to make them, they satisfy my artistic nature but, truthfully speaking, I’m more in the savoury camp when it comes to food. Having said all that, this cake is so light and airy, and it’s filled with one of my favourite berry fruits, it’s difficult to resist. The other plus point is, it’s not too sweet.
This is a classic Genoise sponge cake that relies entirely on the aeration of eggs for its rise, as it contains no chemical raising agents. The batter is made by whisking whole eggs and sugar together until thick, pale, and voluminous, then carefully folding in sifted flour and melted butter to preserve the delicate structure. The result is a light, slightly dry sponge with a fine crumb, often used as a versatile base for layered cakes or desserts, where it can soak up syrups and complement rich fillings or creams.
This sponge recipe is my mum’s, passed down to me many years ago, and with just four ingredients, it’s wonderfully quick to make. At first, I struggled to fold the flour into the egg mixture without deflating the batter, often ending up with lumps of flour in the sponge. Over time, I’ve developed a technique that works every time. Instead of using a large spoon or spatula, I now use a balloon whisk to fold in the flour, which does the job perfectly. I also add a little of the whipped egg mixture to the melted butter before folding it back into the batter, which helps lighten the butter. After that, the process is straightforward. One important step: make sure to whip the eggs for at least eight minutes on high; this is crucial to achieving a light and fluffy cake. I suggest setting a timer.
I prefer a low-sugar conserve for the filling. Raspberry Intense by Bon Maman is my favourite when I don’t have any homemade preserves in my larder. I also like to add extra fresh fruit to the filling. Strawberries are a great option, or a combination of the two fruits is equally delicious.
An enticing and delicate summer dessert, fit for any gathering or celebration that’s pretty too. What’s not to like!
Featherlight Raspberry Cream Cake
Equipment
- 2 x 23cm cake tins
Ingredients
- 5 large free-range eggs room temperature
- 70 g unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 140 g golden caster sugar
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 125 g plain flour
Filling
- 400 ml double cream
- 1 tsp icing sugar heaped
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ jar Bonne Maman Raspberry Intense Jam or other low sugar jam
- 450 g fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Line the base of two 23cm cake tins with parchment discs, then butter and flour the sides. Preheat the oven to 160°C fan.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan until it begins to foam. Pour into a medium bowl, leaving the milk solids in the pan. Set to one side to cool to room temperature.
- Place the eggs, sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and the salt in the bowl of your free standing mixer with the whisk attachment fitted. Whip until the eggs on the highest setting until have tripled in volume, this will take a minimum of 8 minutes. Longer if you're using an electric hand whisk.
- Sift half the flour over the egg mixture and then, this is important, use a balloon whisk to fold it in, repeat with the remaining flour. Now fold with the whisk approximately 2 tablespoons of the cake batter into the butter, this really helps to incorporate the butter into the batter. Now whisk in an additional 2 tablespoon of batter into the butter mixture.
- Fold the butter mixture into the batter until it’s just combined, again using the balloon whisk. Don’t over mix or you’ll knock the volume out of the cake. Divide the batter evenly between the tins.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until when a cocktail stick inserted into the centre, comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a rack.
- Cool completely before filling and and masking with cream and berries.
- Whip the cream with the remaining vanilla extract and icing sugar until it’s just thickening, like the consistency of yogurt. It’s better to be loose rather than stiff because it will thicken as you spread it on the cake. Place the jam in a bowl and add a handful of fresh raspberries, crush and stir them in with the back of a fork.
- Place the first cake on a plate. Spread the raspberry mixture on the top, then follow with 4-5 tablespoons of cream. Place the remaining cake on top. Now mask with the remaining cream. Place the remaining raspberries on the top. Serve. Best eaten on the day of baking, although it’s still good the next day.
Notes
Tips:
- For slightly lighter cream you can substitute some of the double with single cream. ie. 80:20 ratio.
- Add the zest of a lemon to the cake batter when you add the flour as an alternative.
- The sponge freezes well wrapped in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Smörgåstårta (Swedish Sandwich Cake)
I can’t thank you enough, Louise, for the balloon whisk tip. I am already approaching fat-free or fat-light with much greater confidence. This recipe served as a slightly late 81st birthday cake for my dad on the first night of a long-awaited multi-generational family holiday. I made the sponges ahead of time, transported them frozen, and assembled the cake on site.
Fabulous, it works every time. Glad you could all get together to celebrate 🎉
I was quiite disappointed that the cake did not rise. I thought I did everything according to recioe. Maybe, it needed baking powder? The air in the batter should have .been enough for cake to rise.
Hi Malette, I’m sorry you were disappointed. I never add baking powder to this particular recipe. I like to make this cake in a 23cm cake tin because the sponge is so delicate with so little butter in it. In my experience it does rise and is light, although as you see from the photo it’s not a deep cake. I hope you give the recipe another try as it’s one of my favourites.
Like Malette I was really disappointed that the cake didn’t rise and was quite dense. Really thought it would need baking powder with plain flour. Interesting method, maybe I overcooked it but it was only slightly golden. Apart from slightly flat tough sponge it was really tasty!
Hi Anne, I’m sorry you are so disappointed. This sponge is classified as a genoise sponge, some recipes, like mine does not contain raising agent. What is so important to do is beat the eggs for at least 5 minutes, then take extreme care with folding the flour and butter into the eggs so not to knock out the air that you’ve taken time and care to beat in. I have used this method for many years with success so I hope you give it another try Anne.
I’m sorry about my other comments – upon further review, genoise sponge cake truly doesn’t use any baking powder and relies fully on properly whisking up those eggs to be fluffy, and incorporating gently with the butter to ensure the batter is airy. It is a harder technique to master. I failed on my attempt + wasted some time – I think I didn’t whisk the eggs long enough to get them perfectly fluffy. I think the recipe should mention this type of sponge is challenging, and mention for beginners/ people who just want to get it right easily the first try, to simply add some baking powder + make a regular sponge cake instead.
Hi Aaron, thanks for doing your research and yes you have right, genoise relies on on fully whipped eggs for it to rise. I take on board however your comment regarding mentioning this in the text. I will update this.
Really did not work. My cake was dense and rubbery and I followed all the instructions. I do wonder if the eggs should be separated and then beaten?
Thanks for trying the recipe! Genoise sponges are all about the air whisked into the eggs, so if it’s come out flatter than expected, it’s usually because the egg and sugar mixture hasn’t been beaten for long enough — you’re looking for a good 5-8 minutes on a high speed, until the mixture is pale, thick, and holds a ribbon trail when you lift the whisk. It should roughly triple in volume. Folding in the flour gently afterwards (rather than stirring) also makes a real difference, as it’s easy to lose that volume at this stage too. Please have another go and let me know how you get on!