Cloud Cake Recipes

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
• Place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes. Gently remove the egg whites from the mixer to a medium bowl and set aside.
• Combine the sugar and butter in the bowl of the mixer and cream together, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and whip an additional 30 seconds to incorporate.
• In another medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder and fine salt. With the mixer on low speed, pour half the coconut milk into the butter and sugar mixture. Turn the mixer off and add half the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are just incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Repeat this process with the remaining coconut milk and dry ingredients.
• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter. Pour the batter into the greased baking dish. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Allow the cake to cool completely.
• For the coconut syrup: Place the coconut water and honey in a microwave-safe container. Microwave until the honey is dissolved, about 1 minute. Poke the surface of the cake with the tines of a fork. Brush the cake with the warm syrup. Sprinkle the flaked coconut evenly over the cake.
• For the frosting: Place the sugar and coconut water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Let boil for 2 minutes before you add it to the egg whites (see below).
• Meanwhile, place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract. Reduce the speed to the lowest setting and slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the egg whites. Continue to drizzle until all the syrup has been added. Then, turn the mixer up to high speed and whip until the frosting becomes thick, glossy and holds stiff peaks, about 3 minutes more. The frosting should be used to decorate the cake immediately.
• Scrape the frosting onto the center of the cake in a large mound. Push outward with an offset spatula, spreading the frosting over the surface of the cake and making cloudlike swirls to cover completely.

Steps:

• Meringue: Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms and sides with parchment, leaving at least 1/2 inch extra on sides; butter parchment. Pulse sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a food processor until finely ground.
• With a mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Beat in sugar mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, then beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes more. Divide mixture among pans; smooth tops. Bake 1 hour, then turn off oven and prop open door. Let cool 1 hour. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool completely.
• Cream: In a bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, and salt. In a saucepan, combine buttermilk, yolks, and vanilla pod and seeds; place over medium heat. Gradually whisk in sugar mixture. Cook, stirring, until just boiling, about 9 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on solids; press plastic wrap directly on surface and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
• Caramel: Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Stir together sugar and corn syrup in a microwave-proof bowl. Microwave on high 3 minutes, stirring after each minute. Stir again, then microwave just until golden and caramelized, about 15 seconds more. Immediately pour mixture onto prepared sheet and let cool until firm. Remove from sheet; finely chop.
• Using parchment, lift meringue cakes from pans; discard parchment. Carefully place one cake on a platter or cake stand. Spread half of cream on top. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons caramel. Repeat with second cake layer, remaining cream, and 3 more tablespoons caramel. Top with whipped cream and remaining caramel; serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. With a fine sieve, sift together flour and 3/4 cups sugar four times.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed, beat together egg whites and water until foamy. Add salt, cream of tartar, and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. Increase speed to medium-high and sprinkle in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until stiff but not dry.
• Transfer to a large bowl. In six additions, sift dry ingredients over meringue, folding in quickly but gently.
• Pour batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan with removable bottom. Smooth top with an offset spatula. Run a knife through batter to release air bubbles. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown and springy to touch.
• Invert pan on its legs or over the neck of a glass bottle, and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Make the frosting: In the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a saucepan of simmering water, combine egg whites, sugar, water, and cream of tartar. Cook over medium heat, whisking frequently, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Attach the bowl to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat the mixture on high speed until glossy and voluminous, about 7 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
• Carefully run a long offset spatula or knife around the inner and outer perimeter of the cake pan to release cake.
• Place on a plate, bottom side up. Using a long serrated knife, carefully slice off 1 1/2 inches from the top of the cake, being sure not to break the layer. Set aside. Cut out a 1-inch-wide, 1-inch-deep channel halfway between the center and edge of cake. Spread icing into channel and over entire layer. Sprinkle with coconut.
• Gently place reserved layer on top and ice with remaining frosting. Sprinkle with coconut and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of the cake pan with baking parchment.
• Melt the chocolate either in a double boiler or a microwave, add the butter and let melt in the warm chocolate.
• Beat the 2 whole eggs and 4 egg yolks with 1/3 cup of the sugar, then gently add the chocolate mixture, the orange-flavored liqueur and the orange zest.
• In another bowl, whisk the 4 egg whites until foamy, then gradually add the remaining sugar and whisk until the whites hold their shape but are not too stiff. Lighten the chocolate mixture with a dollop of egg whites, and then fold in the rest of the whites. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the cake is risen and cracked and the center is no long wobbly. Cool the cake in its pan on a wire rack; the middle will sink as it cools.
• When you are ready to eat, place the still pan-bound cake on a cake stand or plate for serving and carefully remove the sides of the pan from the cake. Don't worry about cracks or rough edges, it's the crater look we're going for here. Whip the cream until it's soft and then add the vanilla and orange-flavored liqueur and continue whisking until the cream is firm but not stiff. Fill the crater of the cake with the whipped cream, easing it out gently towards the edges of the cake, and dust the top lightly with cocoa powder pushed through a tea-strainer.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Line the bottom of an 8-inch springform pan with a round of wax paper; do not butter the pan.
• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in a bowl set over hot water.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter until melted; set aside.
• In a bowl, whisk the two whole eggs and the 4 egg yolks with 1/2 cup of the sugar just until blended.
• Whisk in the warm chocolate mixture.
• Whisk in the optional cognac or Grand Marnier and the optional orange zest.
• In another bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the 4 egg whites until foamy.
• Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat until the whites form soft mounds that hold their shape, but are not quite stiff.
• Stir about 1/4 of the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it; gently fold in the remaining whites.
• Pour the batter into the pan; smooth the top.
• Bake until the top of the cake is puffed and cracked and the center is no longer wobbly, usually 35 to 40 minutes.
• Do not overbake.
• Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack; the cake will sink as it cools, forming a crater with high sides.
• FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING: At serving time, whip the cream with the confectioner's sugar and vanilla until not quite stiff.
• With a spatula, carefully fill the crater of the cake with the whipped cream, pushing it gently to the edges.
• Dust the top lightly with cocoa powder.
• Run the tip of a knife around the edges of the cake; carefully remove the sides of the pan and serve.

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until they are thick and lemony colored.
• Gradually stir in sour cream until well blended.
• In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients; stir well after each addition.
• Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles.
• Coat with a thin film of oil or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
• Pour 1/4 cup batter onto griddle; lower heat to medium-low.
• Cook until tops of pancake are covered with little bubbles; flip pancake and cook until bottom is golden brown.
• Repeat with the remainder of the batter.
• Serve with your favorite topping.