Cloud Cake – Recipe

Here’s a dreamy, light-as-air dessert: Cloud Cake — soft, airy, and subtly sweet, it’s often described as a cross between angel food cake, chiffon, and mousse. There are different styles, so let’s go with the classic vanilla cloud cake that’s fluffy, creamy, and cloud-like in both texture and taste.

🍰 Cloud Cake (Classic Vanilla)

🕒 Total time: 45–60 minutes (plus chilling)

🍽️ Serves: 8

🌥️ What is Cloud Cake?

A “cloud cake” usually refers to a cake that’s:

Ultra-light and airy (like chiffon or sponge)
Filled or topped with whipped cream or mousse
Often flour-light or flourless
Soft enough to melt in your mouth

🧄 Ingredients:

For the Cake Base:

4 eggs, separated
½ cup sugar, divided
¼ cup cake flour (or all-purpose, sifted)
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract

🧁 Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prepare Pan:

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Line the bottom of a 9-inch round or springform pan with parchment (do not grease the sides — this helps the cake rise evenly).

2. Make the Cake Batter:

In a bowl, whip egg whites with cream of tartar and salt until frothy.
Slowly add ¼ cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
In another bowl, beat egg yolks with remaining ¼ cup sugar until pale and thick.
Add vanilla, then gently fold in sifted flour.
Carefully fold in egg whites in batches, using a spatula, until just combined.

3. Bake:

Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly touched and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and let cool completely.

4. Whip the Cream:

Beat cold whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.

5. Assemble:

Once cake is cool, top with whipped cream.
Optional: dust with powdered sugar, add berries, or drizzle with honey or lemon glaze.

✅ Optional Variations:

Lemon Cloud Cake: Add 1 tsp lemon zest to batter, and use lemon curd between layers.
Chocolate Cloud Cake: Use ¼ cup cocoa powder in place of flour (flourless style).
Japanese-Style Soufflé Cloud Cake: Steam-bake the cake for a jiggly version.