🎂 Best Sponge Cake – Light, Fluffy, and Perfect Every Time

A perfect sponge cake is the foundation of countless classic desserts — from layered birthday cakes to elegant trifles and tea-time treats. This Best Sponge Cake recipe delivers a beautifully light, airy, and soft crumb that melts in your mouth. It’s subtly sweet, perfectly textured, and works with any filling or frosting you love — from whipped cream and berries to chocolate ganache or lemon curd. 🍰✨

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🌟 Why You’ll Love This Sponge Cake

✅ Light and fluffy texture that stays moist
✅ No fancy ingredients — just pantry staples
✅ Perfect for any dessert base
✅ Easy to flavor with lemon, vanilla, or almond
✅ Bakes evenly — no dense or rubbery layers!

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🧁 Ingredients

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (or maple sugar for a natural option)
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ cup (60ml) milk, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (or coconut oil)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

💡 Tip: Room temperature eggs whip up more volume — don’t skip this step!

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🍰 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
Do not grease the sides — this helps the cake rise evenly.

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Step 2: Whip the Eggs and Sugar

In a large bowl, add eggs and sugar.
Using an electric mixer, beat on high speed for 8–10 minutes until the mixture is thick, pale, and triples in volume.

When you lift the whisk, the batter should fall in ribbons that slowly disappear into the surface — this is the ribbon stage.

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Step 3: Sift and Fold in the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture in three additions using a spatula or whisk.
Be careful not to deflate the air bubbles — fold gently until just combined.

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Step 4: Add the Liquids

In a small bowl, mix milk, melted butter (or coconut oil), and vanilla extract.
Add a few tablespoons of the batter into this mixture to lighten it, then gently fold it back into the main batter.
This keeps the texture airy while ensuring even moisture.

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Step 5: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden and springs back when lightly touched.
A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

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Step 6: Cool the Cake

Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edge to loosen it.
Invert onto a wire rack and peel off the parchment paper.
Cool completely before slicing or decorating.

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🧊 Storage

• Room Temperature: Store covered for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps well for 5 days in an airtight container.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic and foil; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before using.

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🍯 Flavor Variations

✨ Vanilla Sponge Cake: Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for a classic flavor.
✨ Lemon Sponge Cake: Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of zest.
✨ Chocolate Sponge Cake: Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder.
✨ Coffee Sponge Cake: Dissolve 1 tablespoon instant coffee in the milk before adding.
✨ Almond Sponge Cake: Substitute ¼ cup flour with almond flour for a nutty taste.

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🎂 Serving Ideas

• Classic Strawberry Shortcake: Layer with whipped cream and fresh berries.
• Tiramisu Cake: Brush with coffee syrup and fill with mascarpone cream.
• Lemon Delight Cake: Spread lemon curd and top with whipped cream.
• Chocolate Heaven: Frost with chocolate ganache and decorate with curls or nuts.

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❤️ Pro Tips for Success

1. Beat eggs long enough — the air trapped during this step gives the cake its sponge-like texture.
2. Fold gently — overmixing deflates the batter, leading to a dense cake.
3. Avoid opening the oven too early — it can cause the cake to collapse.
4. Use cake flour for a finer crumb (optional but worth it).
5. Cool upside down on a rack if making a chiffon-style sponge — it helps retain height.

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🍰 Final Thoughts

This Best Sponge Cake is the ultimate base for any dessert. Light, airy, and delicately sweet, it’s the kind of recipe every home baker should master. Once you get the technique right, you can transform it into endless variations — from elegant layered creations to simple fruit-topped delights.

Whether you’re making it for birthdays, holidays, or afternoon tea, this cake always delivers a taste of pure homemade perfection. 🎂💛

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