In the realm of Italian pastries, Pan di Spagna, also known as Italian sponge cake, stands as a culinary masterpiece. It is a staple of Italian cuisine, gracing tables during celebrations and everyday indulgences alike. This delicate cake is characterized by its light and airy texture, achieved through carefully separated egg whites and yolks, which are then folded together with sugar and flour. The result is a versatile cake that can be enjoyed on its own, paired with fresh fruit or whipped cream, or transformed into exquisite desserts like tiramisu and trifles. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, Pan di Spagna offers a delightful challenge and a delectable reward. Embark on this culinary journey with us as we present a collection of carefully curated Pan di Spagna recipes, each offering unique variations to suit diverse preferences and skill levels. From the classic sponge cake to gluten-free and vegan adaptations, let us guide you through the steps to create this Italian masterpiece in the comfort of your own home.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
ITALIAN SPONGE CAKE / PAN DI SPAGNA
This Italian Sponge Cake, also known as Pan di Spagna has only 5 ingredients. The perfect layer cake or serve it as a snack or breakfast treat.
Provided by Rosemary Molloy
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Pre-heat the oven to 320F (160C) Grease and flour an 8 inch (20 cm) cake pan (springform if you have one).
- In a medium bowl sift together the flour and corn starch. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or stand up mixer add the eggs and sugar and beat for 15 minutes, add the vanilla and beat another 2 minutes.
- Gently fold half the sifted flour into the beaten eggs and combine, then add the remaining flour and gently fold until smooth and completely combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 113 kcal, Carbohydrate 20 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 2 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 74 mg, Sodium 29 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 10 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PAN DI SPAGNA (ITALIAN SPONGE CAKE )
Pan di Spagna (sponge cake) is used as a base for many Italian desserts and cakes. It is a somewhat dry cake, which is usually sprinkled/brushed with a rum or liqueur flavored syrup before the addition of a cream filling. Three 8 or 9inch round or square cake pans may be used instead of the sizes specified.
Provided by Dee514
Categories Dessert
Time 55m
Yield 1 18inch square layer
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place egg yolks and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until lemon colored.
- Add vanilla and lemon rind (if using it).
- Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry and then fold into the egg yolk mixture.
- Sift the flour in a separate bowl and slowly incorporate it into the egg mixture with a mixing spoon.
- Butter and flour a 18inch square (or a 9 x 13 x 3, or a 11 x 17 x 2inch half-sheet) cake pan**.
- Pour cake batter into prepared pan and bake at 375°F for 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Remove cake from oven and turn out (of pan) onto a cake rack to cool.
- When completely cool, cake may be sliced horizontally to form 2 or 3 thin layers.
- Cake can be tightly wrapped and frozen (up to 3 weeks) for future use.
- **Please check your oven size, to make sure pan will fit properly.
SPONGE CAKE (PAN DI SPAGNA)
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Yield 1 9- or 10-inch layer cake
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Butter and line with parchment paper a 9-or 10-inch round cake pan that is 2 inches deep.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the yolks with the vanilla. Whisk in half the sugar and continue to beat until very light and frothy, about 5 minutes, either by hand, with a hand mixer set at medium speed, or in a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the whip.
- Combine the flour and cornstarch and sift once to aerate.
- In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until they hold a very soft peak, either by hand, with a hand mixer set at medium speed, or in a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the whip. Beating faster, add the remaining sugar in a very slow stream, beating until the egg whites hold a firm peak.
- Fold the yolk mixture into the whites with a rubber spatula. Sift the flour and cornstarch over the eggs in 3 additions, folding them in gradually. Do not overmix the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until it is well risen and feels firm when pressed gently with the palm of your hand.
- Immediately loosen the layer from the side of the pan with a small knife or spatula. Invert the layer onto a rack and leave the paper stuck to it. Turn the layer right side up and cool it on a rack.
- Unless you are going to use the layer within a few hours, double-wrap tightly in plastic and keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days, or freeze.
ITALIAN SPONGE CAKE | PAN DI SPAGNA
Italian Sponge Cake (Pan di Spagna) is a basic preparation of Italian pastry. Thanks to its particular soft and spongy texture it's the ideal base for the preparation of classic layer cakes and an excellent substitute of Ladyfingers in soaked cakes, such as Tiramisu, Zuppa Inglese or Zuccotto. Its preparation is very simple, however for its perfect success it's very important to respect the doses and methods of preparation. The ingredients of the authentic Italian Sponge Cake recipe are just 3: eggs, flour and sugar.
Provided by Recipes from Italy
Categories dessert recipes
Time 1h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 170°C (338 F). Then sift together the flour and the potato starch in a bowl. Mix them well and set aside.
- Place the eggs and sugar in a planetary mixer. If you want to flavor the sponge cake, now add 3-4 drops of vanilla essence or the grated rind of 1/2 lemon. This is optional, dependig on the recipe you are going to make with the sponge cake.
- Whip at moderate speed. If you have an electric mixer graduated from 1 to 10, the correct speed is 6. Beat the eggs with the sugar for 15/20 minutes until the mixture has become light and fluffy and has doubled its volume.
- When the eggs and sugar are ready, puffy and frothy, turn off the mixer. Take the sifted flours and add them a little at a time to the cream of eggs and sugar. Mix RIGOROUSLY BY HAND and slowly making movements from the bottom up, so as not to disassemble the mixture.
- As soon as the flours are completely amalgamated to the cream, set aside and carefully cover your springform cake pan with baking paper. Pour the mixture into the cake pan and finally use a spatula to level the surface. DO NOT BEAT THE CAKE PAN on a surface to level it, otherwise it will disassemble.
- Bake the Pan di Spagna in a preheated oven at 170°(338 F) for about 50 minutes. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN FOR THE FIRST 40 MINUTES! Then you can check the cooking with a toothpick. Stick with a toothpick the center of the sponge cake: if it comes out dry it means that it's cooked. Once cooked, remove the sponge cake from the oven. Leave it in the cake pan for about 15 minutes before unmolding. Then let the sponge cake cool completely before using it for your recipes.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 100 g, Calories 325 cal
ITALIAN SPONGE CAKE (PAN DI SPAGNA)
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly butter and flour one or two 9- or 10-inch (23- to 25-centimeter) springform cake pans.
- Combine the whole eggs and sugar in a stand mixer and beat on high speed for 15 minutes, until the mixture quadruples in volume.
- Add the egg yolks and beat on high speed for 5 minutes. The mixture should be thick enough to write with. Sift the flour and potato starch gradually into the egg-sugar mixture, incorporating a little at a time, mixing each inclusion of flour delicately with a spatula, scooping from the bottom up, so you do not deflate the eggs. Mix in the vanilla and lemon zest until just blended, then divide the batter between the prepared pans.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until light golden and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Do not overbake. It will dry and set as it cools.
- Turn out onto a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.
Tips:
- Use room temperature ingredients: This will help the cake batter to come together more smoothly and evenly.
- Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form: This will help to incorporate air into the batter, making the cake light and fluffy.
- Fold the egg whites into the batter gently: Overmixing can deflate the batter and make the cake tough.
- Bake the cake in a preheated oven: This will help to prevent the cake from sinking in the middle.
- Do not open the oven door during baking: This can cause the cake to fall.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting: This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.
Conclusion:
Pan di Spagna is a classic Italian sponge cake that is light, fluffy, and delicious. It is perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to weddings. With a few simple tips, you can easily make this cake at home. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give Pan di Spagna a try. You won't be disappointed!
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