Super Simple Eggnog Angel Food 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.

SUPER SIMPLE EGGNOG ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Cream the butter and sugar; mix in the egg yolks one at a time. Blend well.
• Stir in the liqueor and 3/4 cup walnuts.
• Split the cake in thirds; spread filling on two layers. Stack with plain layer on top. Refrigerate cake for 24 hours.
• Just before serving, frost with the whipped cream; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of walnuts and the ground nutmeg. Serve with a steaming mug of dark roasted coffee or cup of hot mulled apple cidar.

EASY EGGLESS SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Sieve the flour, baking powder and baking soda together.
• Mix the flour mixture, condensed milk, melted butter, essence, and water and beat well.
• Pour the mixture into a greased and dusted 6 inch diameter round tin.
• Bake in a hot oven at 200 degrees C (400 degrees F) for 10 minutes.
• Then reduce the temperature to 150 degrees C (300 degree F) and bake for a further 10 minutes.
• The cake is ready when it leaves the sides of the tin and is springy to touch.
• When ready, take out from the oven and leave for 1 minute.
• Invert the tin over a rack and tap sharply to remove.
• Cool the the cake on a wire rack.