Patriotic Celebration Angel Cake
This delightful Angel Food Cake adds a festive touch to your celebration with its colorful red, white, and blue sprinkles. Perfect for Independence Day festivities, you can easily customize the sprinkle colors for any special occasion, making it a versatile dessert choice. This light and airy cake, baked to perfection, is a timeless classic that originates from 19th-century Pennsylvania. Legend suggests that African-American slaves from the South, with their strength and skill, crafted the first angel food cakes by hand-beating the egg whites to achieve the cake's signature delicate texture. Angel food cake remains a cherished African-American tradition, particularly for post-funeral gatherings, celebrating life with a sweet touch.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Egg whites
1 3/4 cups (room temperature (about 12 to 14 large eggs))
Cake flour
1 1/4 cups (sifted before measuring)
Granulated sugar
1 3/4 cups (divided)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
Almond extract
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Red, white, and blue candy sprinkles
1/3-1/2 cup ((about 1 3/4 to 2 ounces))
Instructions
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1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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2. Sift the cake flour and 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar together four times to ensure they are well combined and aerated; set aside.
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3. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand-held electric mixer to beat the room temperature egg whites with salt and cream of tartar on high speed until soft peaks form.
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4. Gradually incorporate the remaining 1 cup of sugar into the egg whites, adding about 1/4 cup at a time. Beat well after each addition; continue beating until stiff peaks form when the beaters are removed.
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5. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the vanilla extract and almond extract, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
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6. Sprinkle about a quarter of the flour mixture over the beaten egg whites, then fold in gently using about 15 strokes. Continue this process until all the flour is used.
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7. Gently fold the red, white, and blue sprinkles into the batter, using 10 to 12 strokes to incorporate.
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8. Carefully spoon the batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Use a narrow spatula or knife to cut through the batter and eliminate any large air pockets. Smooth the top of the batter, ensuring it touches the sides of the pan.
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9. Place on a lower oven rack and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
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10. Invert the pan immediately to cool completely, about 2 hours. This helps maintain the cake's structure.
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11. Once cooled, gently run a narrow spatula or knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the cake. Carefully lift the cake out by the center tube, then use the spatula or knife to free it from the bottom.
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12. Serve with a fluffy white frosting or your choice of sweetened strawberries or other fresh fruits.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Patriotic Celebration Angel Cake?
It is a light and airy traditional dessert featuring red, white, and blue sprinkles, making it a festive choice for patriotic holidays.
What makes this cake suitable for Independence Day?
The cake includes red, white, and blue candy sprinkles, which give it a festive look perfect for 4th of July celebrations.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How many times should the flour and sugar be sifted?
The cake flour and 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar should be sifted together four times to ensure they are well combined and aerated.
What temperature should the egg whites be for this recipe?
The egg whites should be at room temperature to achieve the best volume when beaten.
How many eggs are needed to produce the required amount of whites?
You will need approximately 12 to 14 large eggs to get 1 3/4 cups of egg whites.
What tools are recommended for beating the egg whites?
A hand-held electric mixer is recommended for beating the egg whites on high speed.
What are the initial ingredients beaten with the egg whites?
The egg whites are beaten with salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
How should the remaining sugar be added to the egg whites?
The remaining 1 cup of sugar should be incorporated gradually, adding about 1/4 cup at a time and beating well after each addition.
How do I know when the egg whites are sufficiently beaten?
The whites are ready when stiff peaks form, meaning the peaks stay upright when the beaters are removed.
What extracts are used to flavor this angel food cake?
This recipe uses vanilla extract and almond extract for flavor.
How should the extracts be incorporated into the mixture?
Gently fold in the vanilla and almond extracts using a rubber spatula, taking care not to deflate the egg white mixture.
What is the process for adding the flour mixture?
Sprinkle about a quarter of the flour mixture over the egg whites at a time and fold it in gently.
How many strokes should I use when folding in the flour?
Use about 15 strokes for each addition of the flour mixture.
When should the sprinkles be added to the batter?
Gently fold the red, white, and blue sprinkles into the batter after the flour has been fully incorporated.
How many strokes are needed to incorporate the sprinkles?
Use 10 to 12 strokes to gently fold in the sprinkles.
What type of baking pan is required?
An ungreased 10-inch tube pan is required for this recipe.
Why should the tube pan remain ungreased?
The cake needs to cling to the sides of the pan to rise properly; grease would prevent it from climbing the walls.
How do I remove large air pockets from the batter?
Use a narrow spatula or knife to cut through the batter once it is in the pan to eliminate air pockets.
Where should the cake be placed in the oven?
The cake should be placed on a lower oven rack for even baking.
How long does the cake need to bake?
The cake should bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
How do I test if the cake is done?
The cake is done when it springs back when lightly touched.
What should be done immediately after removing the cake from the oven?
Invert the pan immediately to allow the cake to cool while upside down.
How long does the cake need to cool?
The cake needs to cool completely in the inverted pan for about 2 hours.
Why must the cake cool in an inverted position?
Cooling it upside down helps maintain the light and airy structure of the cake so it doesn't collapse.
How do I remove the cooled cake from the pan?
Run a narrow spatula or knife around the edges and the center tube to loosen the cake, then lift it out.
What are some suggested toppings for this cake?
It can be served with fluffy white frosting, sweetened strawberries, or other fresh fruits.
Can the sprinkle colors be changed for other occasions?
Yes, you can customize the sprinkle colors to match any special occasion or holiday.
What is the historical origin of angel food cake?
It is a 19th-century Pennsylvania classic, often associated with African-American traditions.
In what cultural context is angel food cake traditionally served?
It is a cherished tradition in African-American culture, particularly for post-funeral gatherings to celebrate life.