Italian 12-Spoon Sponge Cake
A light and tender cake made using tablespoons for easy measuring. Perfect for everyday baking, even without a kitchen scale.
Ingredients
-
Eggs: 3 large, room temperature
-
Sugar: 12 tablespoons
-
Vanilla sugar or vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
-
Salt: a small pinch
-
Milk: 12 tablespoons
-
Vegetable oil: 12 tablespoons
-
All-purpose flour: 12 tablespoons
-
Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
-
Powdered sugar: for dusting (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Baking Pan
-
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
-
Grease a 21 × 21 cm (8 × 8 inch) baking pan.
-
Line the base with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Whisk the Eggs and Sugar
-
In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt.
-
Whisk for 3–4 minutes until the mixture becomes pale, thick, and slightly foamy. This helps create a soft texture.
3. Add Liquid Ingredients
-
Pour in the milk and vegetable oil.
-
Whisk gently until fully combined and smooth.
4. Add Dry Ingredients
-
Sift together the flour and baking powder.
-
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the batter using a spatula or whisk.
-
Mix just until smooth, avoiding overmixing.
5. Bake the Cake
-
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
-
Tap the pan lightly on the counter to release air bubbles.
-
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool and Serve
-
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes.
-
Transfer to a serving plate and let cool completely.
-
Lightly dust with powdered sugar before slicing, if desired.
Helpful Tips
-
Use the same tablespoon for all measurements to keep proportions accurate.
-
Serve plain or pair with fresh fruit, yogurt, or jam.
-
Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.