GF Angel Food Cake
(from Mainergirl’s recipe box)
Source: King Arthur Flour
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 180 minutes
Serves 10 people
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup King Arthur Gluten-Free Multi-Purpose Flour or 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons brown rice flour blend*
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup Baker's Special Sugar** or superfine sugar
- 1 1/2 cups egg whites (10 to 11 large eggs, separated, yolks discarded or reserved for another use)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract or Fiori di Sicilia, optional
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons Baker's Special Sugar** or superfine sugar
- **Can you substitute regular granulated sugar? Yes; it'll take much longer for the egg whites to attain their require volume, and the cake's texture won't be as fine.
Directions
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1) Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the oven rack in its lowest position.
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2) Whisk together and then sift the flour, cornstarch, and 3/4 cup sugar. Set aside.
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3) In a large, clean (grease-free) mixing bowl, beat together the egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar until foamy.
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4) Add the flavorings. Gradually increase the speed of the mixer and continue beating until the egg whites have increased in volume, and thickened.
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5) Gradually beat in the 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar, a bit at a time, until the meringue holds soft peaks.
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6) Gently fold in the sifted flour/sugar blend ¼ cup at a time, just until incorporated.
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7) Spoon the batter into an ungreased 10" round angel food pan. Gently tap the pan on the counter to settle the batter and remove any large air bubbles.
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8) Bake the cake until it’s a deep golden brown, and the top springs back when pressed lightly, about 45 minutes.
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9) Remove the cake from the oven and invert the pan onto the neck of a heatproof bottle or funnel, to suspend the cake upside down as it sets and cools, about 2 hours.
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10) Remove the cake from the pan by running a thin spatula or knife around the edges of the pan, and turning the cake out onto a plate.
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11) Cut the cake with a serrated knife or angel food cake comb. If it’s difficult to cut, wet the knife and wipe it clean between slices.
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12) Serve with whipped cream and fruit. Wrap any leftovers airtight, and store at room temperature.
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Yield: one 10" cake, about 12 to 16 servings.