Traditional Cotton Cake with Condensed Milk

Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Traditional Cotton Cake with Condensed Milk — a soft, fluffy sponge cake with a hint of sweetness from condensed milk. This cake is popular in many Asian cuisines for its light texture and gentle flavor.

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🧁 Traditional Cotton Cake with Condensed Milk

Ingredients:

• 5 large eggs, room temperature (separated)

• 80 ml (about 1/3 cup) sweetened condensed milk

• 50 ml (about 1/4 cup) milk

• 40 ml (about 3 tbsp) vegetable oil (or melted butter)

• 80 g (about 2/3 cup) cake flour (or all-purpose flour, sifted)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar or 1 tsp lemon juice

• 60 g (about 1/3 cup) granulated sugar

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Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).

   • Line the bottom of a 7- or 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Do not grease the sides.

2. Make the Batter:

   • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, condensed milk, regular milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.

   • Sift in the flour and whisk until smooth and lump-free. Set aside.

3. Whip Egg Whites:

   • In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy.

   • Add cream of tartar or lemon juice and continue beating.

   • Gradually add the sugar in 2-3 portions, beating until stiff peaks form.

4. Combine:

   • Gently fold 1/3 of the whipped egg whites into the yolk batter to lighten it.

   • Then fold in the remaining egg whites in two more additions. Be gentle to avoid deflating the mixture.

5. Bake:

   • Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and tap it gently to release air bubbles.

   • Place the cake pan into a larger tray filled with hot water (bain-marie/water bath).

   • Bake for 60–70 minutes or until the top is golden and a skewer inserted comes out clean.

6. Cool:

   • Once baked, remove from the oven and drop the cake (in the pan) gently on the counter to prevent shrinkage.

   • Let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before removing. Use a knife to gently release the sides and invert onto a rack to cool completely.

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🍴 Tips:

• For extra softness, use cake flour.

• Don’t skip the water bath—it helps the cake bake slowly and stay moist.

• Best served plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar or whipped cream.

Would you like a version with flavor variations (e.g., pandan, chocolate, or matcha)?