Here’s a dreamy, light-as-air recipe for a Cloud Cake — soft sponge layers with a whipped cream-based topping that’s pillowy, not too sweet, and melts in your mouth like, well… a cloud.
☁️ Cloud Cake (Light & Fluffy Version)
🍰 What Is Cloud Cake?
“Cloud Cake” usually refers to a super-soft sponge or chiffon cake layered with whipped cream or mousse, often chilled for a refreshing, airy texture. Think Japanese-style sponge, angel food, or a no-bake mousse cake.
✨ Option 1: Baked Vanilla Cloud Cake (Fluffy Sponge with Whipped Cream)
Ingredients:
For the Sponge Cake:
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1/2 cup sugar, divided
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar (or 1 tsp lemon juice)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup milk (room temp)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup cake flour (or all-purpose flour sifted with 1 tbsp cornstarch)
- Pinch of salt
For the Cloud Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (cold)
- 2–3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
🧑🍳 Instructions:
1. Make the Sponge:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8-inch round pan (don’t grease the sides).
- In a bowl, whisk yolks with half the sugar until pale. Add oil, milk, and vanilla.
- Sift in flour and salt. Mix just until smooth.
- In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add remaining sugar and whip to stiff peaks.
- Gently fold the whites into the yolk batter in 3 additions.
- Pour into pan, tap gently to release air bubbles.
- Bake for 35–40 min until golden and springy.
- Cool upside down on a rack to keep the sponge from collapsing.
2. Make the Cloud Topping:
- Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla to soft peaks.
- Keep chilled until ready to use.
3. Assemble:
- Slice cake into 2–3 layers.
- Spread whipped cream between layers and over top.
- Optional: top with berries, edible flowers, or powdered sugar.
- Chill for 1 hour before serving for best texture.
💡 Variations:
- Lemon Cloud Cake: Add lemon zest to the batter and whipped cream.
- Chocolate Cloud Cake: Use cocoa in the sponge, or layer with chocolate mousse.
- No-bake version: Use crushed graham crust + whipped cream + mousse/fruit layers.
Would you prefer a no-bake mousse-style Cloud Cake, individual cups, or a Korean milk cloud cake version? I can tailor it!