Delicious Italian Sponge Cake (Pan di Spagna)
This is one of my favorite Italian desserts. It's simple to make and very versatile. Enjoy!
Mixer that I use (affiliate): https://amzn.to/39oHZWP
⬇️⬇️ RECIPE BELOW ⬇️⬇️
INGREDIENTS
Sponge cake:
5 large eggs at room temperature
1.5 tsp vanilla extract (or seeds from one vanilla bean)
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup corn starch
3/4 cup sugar
1 pinch of salt
Strawberry whipping cream:
1 cup whipping cream
2-3 tbs (or more) strawberry jam
Berries:
Blackberries, strawberries, blueberries
Ice wine (or dessert wine or liquor) for soaking the berries for an hour or more
DIRECTIONS
Sponge cake:
In a large bowl, add eggs (room temperature), vanilla, a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup of sugar. Using a hand mixer (or a standing mixer) beat this mixture for about 15-20 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and creamy. While mixing, add another 1/4 cup of sugar. Continue beating the mixture and add the last 1/4 cup of sugar, and the mixture is ribbon creamy. Stop using the mixer, place a kitchen strainer on top of the bowl and sift the flour and corn starch. With a wire whisk slowly and carefully fold in the flour and cornstarch mixture into the batter, make sure all the mixture is well incorporated.
Pour the mixture into 2 cake pans or one large springform that has been well greased and floured. Bake the cake in the oven at 350 F for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the cake from the oven and take the cake out of the pans and cool off on a wire rack.
Strawberry whipping cream:
Prepare strawberry whipping cream by whipping jam and whipping cream together until the cream is peaking (do not overbeat, otherwise it will become butter).
Decoration:
After the cake is cooled, cut the top part off. Cut out a concave hole to fill it with the fruit and cream.
You can use this sponge cake for many different occasions. Do not be alarmed if it feels a little dry, because it is, sprinkle ice wine, vermouth, milk or whatever you like. Then you can add vanilla cream or Ricotta cream with chocolate bits or any filling to your liking, and decorate. Enjoy!