Castella Cake

Castella Cake is a traditional Japanese sponge cake known for its light and fluffy texture. Here’s a more detailed version of your recipe to ensure the best results:

Ingredients:

• 4 medium eggs, at room temperature
• 110g sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons honey
• 100g strong flour (bread flour)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the Egg Mixture:

1. Crack the eggs into a metal bowl.
2. Add the sugar to the eggs.
3. Place the bowl over a pot of boiling water, ensuring the bowl does not touch the water (double boiler method).
4. Beat the mixture with an electric beater at high speed for 6 minutes until it becomes pale, thick, and increases in volume by about four times.

2. Incorporating Honey:

1. Add the honey to the egg mixture.
2. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds until well combined.

3. Adding the Flour:

1. Sift 1/3 of the flour into the egg mixture.
2. Gently beat on medium speed until just combined.
3. Repeat with the second third of the flour.
4. Add the remaining flour and beat until the mixture is homogeneous, about 1 minute. Be careful not to overmix to avoid deflating the batter.

4. Preparing the Mold and Baking:

1. Line a mold with sulfurized (parchment) paper.
2. Pour the batter into the mold.
3. Use a skewer to draw a zig-zag line through the batter to remove large air bubbles, ensuring an even texture.
4. Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
5. Bake the cake for 10 to 15 minutes until the top is nicely browned.
6. Quickly cover the top with absorbent paper, lower the oven temperature to 170°C (338°F), and continue baking for about 55 minutes.
7. Check doneness by inserting a skewer into the center of the cake; it should come out clean.

5. Cooling and Resting:

1. Remove the cake from the mold immediately after baking.
2. Cover the surface with plastic film while it’s still hot to keep it moist.
3. Flip the cake onto a flat plate and place it in a plastic bag.
4. Let the cake rest for 12 hours to develop its fluffy texture.

6. Serving:

1. Before serving, trim the sides of the cake for a clean presentation.
2. Serve with tea or coffee and a spoonful of Chantilly cream for added decadence.

Enjoy your delicious Castella Cake!