Vanilla Sponge Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar (optional, helps stabilize egg whites)
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted (optional for extra moisture)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (optional, for a moister cake)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Prepare the Eggs:
   Separate the egg whites from the yolks, placing the egg whites in a large clean mixing bowl. Beat the egg yolks with sugar in a separate bowl until it becomes pale and slightly thickened.
3. Whip the Egg Whites:
   Add the cream of tartar (if using) to the egg whites and beat with an electric mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
4. Mix the Yolks and Vanilla:
   Add the vanilla extract to the egg yolk-sugar mixture and mix well.
5. Combine the Flour and Egg Yolks:
   Sift the flour and salt together. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg yolk mixture until just combined. Be careful not to deflate the batter.
6. Fold in the Egg Whites:
   Gradually fold the whipped egg whites into the batter. Be very gentle to preserve the air in the mixture for a light and fluffy cake.
7. Add Butter and Milk (Optional):
   If you prefer a slightly richer cake, you can fold in the melted butter and milk at this point. This step is optional, but it will add some extra moisture and flavor.
8. Pour the Batter into the Pan:
   Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan, spreading it out evenly.
9. Bake the Cake:
   Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cake is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should spring back when lightly pressed.
10. Cool the Cake:
    Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Serve:
    Once cooled, you can serve the vanilla sponge cake as is, or top with whipped cream, fruit, or frosting if desired.