Pao De Lo
Indulge in the airy delight of Pão de Ló, a traditional Portuguese sponge cake celebrated for its simplicity and exquisite texture. Made with just six pantry staples—eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, butter, and parchment paper—this cake is a testament to the art of baking with minimal ingredients. Its hallmark lies in the delicate balance of stiffly whipped egg whites and creamy yolks, folded together to create a light, tender crumb. Zesty hints of lemon elevate its flavor, making each bite irresistibly fragrant. Perfectly golden and slightly crisp on the outside with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior, Pão de Ló is an elegant treat for any occasion. Whether dusted with powdered sugar or served plain alongside a warm cup of tea, this timeless dessert is sure to impress. Ready in under an hour, it's the ultimate go-to recipe for lovers of simple yet refined baked goods.
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Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 200 grams granulated sugar
- 150 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for greasing the pan)
- 1 sheet parchment paper
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Step 2
Line a round springform cake pan (approximately 9 inches or 23 cm in diameter) with parchment paper and grease the sides with butter.
Step 3
Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites into two large mixing bowls.
Step 4
Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat the egg yolks with the granulated sugar until the mixture is pale, thick, and doubles in volume (about 5 minutes).
Step 5
Gently fold the lemon zest into the egg yolk mixture.
Step 6
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. This means the whites should hold their shape and not fall over when the beater is lifted.
Step 7
Sift the flour over the egg yolk mixture in two or three additions, folding it in gently with a spatula to maintain the airy texture. Avoid overmixing.
Step 8
Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter in two or three additions. Be careful not to deflate the batter.
Step 9
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 10
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 11
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then remove it from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 12
Serve the Pão de Ló plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (667.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1833.4 |
| Total Fat 43.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 16.6g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 1146.4mg | 0% |
| Sodium 423.4mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 321.1g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 200.4g | |
| Protein 51.6g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 249.1IU | 0% |
| Calcium 196.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 13.0mg | 0% |
| Potassium 584.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories