My Birthday Angel Food Cake

ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Sift confectioners' sugar and flour together twice; set aside. , Add the cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time., Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through the batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on the lowest oven rack at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned and entire top appears dry. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour. , Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate.

COOL WHIP BIRTHDAY ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Beat pudding mix and milk in large bowl with whisk 1 min. (Pudding will be thick.) Fold in 2 cups COOL WHIP, then 1/2 cup raspberries.
• Stack cake layers on plate, spreading pudding mixture between layers. Run spatula around side of cake to smooth edges of filling.
• Top with remaining COOL WHIP and raspberries as shown in photo.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Wash angel food tube pan in hot soapy water to ensure it is totally grease free. Let dry completely. Sift flour and 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar together three times; set aside.
• In mixing bowl, beat egg whites and salt on high speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and almond flavoring; beat until soft peaks form. Peaks should be soft enough so they bend over slightly at the tips. Gradually add 1 cup white sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Sift about 1/4 of the flour mixture over the egg whites, and using flat spatula, quickly but gently fold into egg whites. Repeat using 1/4 of the flour mixture each time. Pour batter into clean tube pan. Gently cut through batter with knife to remove air pockets.
• Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean. Invert pan onto a wire rack to cool for 1 hour.
• Beat 2 cups confectioners' sugar, butter, cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla together until smooth. Add more cream or confectioners' sugar as needed. Frost the cooled cake.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Adjust the oven rack to the lower middle position and preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
• In a food processor or blender, pulse the sugar until fine and powdery. Remove 1 cup and set aside to use in step 3; keep the rest inside the food processor. Add the cake flour and salt to the food processor. Pulse 5-10 times until sugar/flour/salt mixture is aerated and light.
• In a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip egg whites and cream of tartar together on medium-low until foamy, about 1 minute. Switch to medium-high and slowly add the 1 cup of sugar you set aside. Whip until soft peaks form, about 5-6 minutes. See photo and video above for a visual. Add the vanilla extract, then beat just until incorporated.
• In 3 additions, slowly sift the flour mixture into the egg white mixture using a fine mesh strainer, gently folding with a rubber spatula after each addition. To avoid deflating or a dense cake, don't add the flour mixture all at once. Sift and very slowly fold in several additions. This is important! Pour and spread batter into an ungreased 9 or 10 inch tube pan. Shimmy the pan on the counter to smooth down the surface.
• Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through baking. The cake will rise up very tall while baking. Remove from the oven, then cool the cake completely upside-down set on a wire rack, about 3 hours. (Upside-down so the bottom of the tube pan is right-side up, see photo and video above.) Once cooled, run a thin knife around the edges and gently tap the pan on the counter until the cake releases.
• If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar. Slice the cake with a sharp serrated knife. Regular knives can easily squish the cake. Serve with whipped cream and fresh berries.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

BIRTHDAY ANGEL'S FOOD CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners and spray the liners lightly with cooking spray.
• Sift the flour, confectioners' sugar and salt through a fine sieve into a medium bowl; stir in the sprinkles and set aside.
• Combine the egg whites in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until frothy, about 2 minutes. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the granulated sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Increase the speed to medium-high, and continue beating until the peaks are stiff and very shiny, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and lemon zest. Remove the bowl from the mixer.
• Sprinkle 1/4 of the flour mixture over the egg whites and gently fold in with a rubber spatula. Fold in the remaining flour mixture in 3 additions.
• Divide the batter evenly among the lined muffin cups, mounding it so it's taller than the liners. Bake until the cupcakes spring back when pressed gently with your fingertip and a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, 14 to 16 minutes. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. (The cupcakes can be made a day ahead and stored at room temperature in an airtight container.)
• For the frosting: Put the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the heavy cream and vanilla and continue to beat until the mixture forms stiff peaks. (The frosting can be made and refrigerate up to 1 hour before serving.)
• When ready to serve, top each cupcake with a generous dollop of frosting. Use the back of a spoon to swirl the frosting a little. Decorate each cupcake with some sprinkles.

MY BIRTHDAY ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• NOTE~~All ingredients MUST be room temperature.
• Sift together the flour and 3/4 cup of the sugar about 3 times.
• Combine salt and egg whites and beat till foamy. Add Cream of tartar to egg whites and beat till stiff peaks form.
• Fold remaining 3/4 cup of sugar into egg whites, folding 2 tablespoons at a time till used up.
• Fold in vanilla and almond flavorings.
• Sift flour mixture in a few tablespoons at a time, folding carefully.
• Pour into angel food pan or tube pan (ungreased) and bake at 325° for 60 to 70 minutes, or till top of cake is golden brown.
• Turn pan upside down and let cool 1 hour before removing.