Castella Japanese Sponge Cake
Delight in the delicate, honey-infused goodness of Castella Japanese Sponge Cake, a traditional and irresistibly fluffy dessert that's perfect for any occasion. Crafted with just six simple ingredients—including eggs, bread flour, and a touch of honey—this sponge cake is known for its soft, moist texture and beautifully golden, slightly caramelized crust. Achieving its signature airy structure involves a no-fail technique of whipping eggs to perfection and folding the batter gently, ensuring every bite melts in your mouth. Baked to golden perfection and wrapped to retain moisture, this cake benefits from a resting period that enhances its flavor and texture. Perfectly paired with a cup of tea or coffee, Castella cake is a delightful treat that embodies the art of Japanese baking.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 80 g bread flour
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp warm water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for greasing)
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Grease a 7x3-inch rectangular loaf pan using vegetable oil, then line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2
In a small bowl, combine the honey and warm water. Stir until fully integrated. Set aside.
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and beat them using a hand mixer or stand mixer on high speed for about 5 minutes, until the mixture is pale, thickened, and tripled in volume.
Step 4
Gradually add the granulated sugar to the eggs in small increments, continuing to beat on high speed for another 8-10 minutes. The batter should form ribbons when dripped from the whisk.
Step 5
Sift the bread flour into the egg mixture in 2-3 additions. Gently fold the flour into the batter using a spatula. Ensure not to deflate the air bubbles.
Step 6
Add the honey-water mixture to the batter and fold gently to combine, ensuring the mixture remains airy.
Step 7
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to remove large air bubbles, then smooth the surface with a spatula.
Step 8
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 9
Remove the cake from the oven and immediately tap the pan gently on the counter to minimize shrinkage. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
Step 10
Carefully lift the cake out using the parchment paper and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap while still slightly warm. This helps retain the cake's moisture.
Step 11
Refrigerate the wrapped cake for at least 12 hours to develop its signature texture and flavors.
Step 12
To serve, slice the Castella into thick pieces using a sharp knife. Enjoy with tea or coffee!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (500.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1387.2 |
| Total Fat 34.8g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 8.2g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 744mg | 0% |
| Sodium 283.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 249.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 2.2g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 184.6g | |
| Protein 33.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 160IU | 0% |
| Calcium 126mg | 0% |
| Iron 7.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 378mg | 0% |
Source of Calories