Are you looking to prepare a genoise sponge cake at home? Then these basic baking tips while making genoise sponge cakes will definitely help you get the best cake.
A genoise sponge is a fluffy, soft cake that is known for its melt-in-mouth texture. Apart from that, it is made by using simple ingredients that are easily and widely accessible, such as cake flour, eggs, vanilla, butter, salt, and sugar. The cake is enjoyed in many countries and is generally served after being sliced with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and jam filling to elevate its flavor even further.
The cake gets its name from the Italian city of Genoa. The cake is also called Genovese cake or Genoese cake, so don't get confused if you read these names; it's the same genoise cake. Making your own genoise cake at home is a rewarding process, and it is perfect for your weekend breakfast or brunch. But to ace the genoise cake, you will need to follow these tips in order to get the best cake every single time.
Use Bain-Marie
A bain-marie is an essential tool that you must have if you are someone who loves to bake or cook. The use of a bain-marie is recommended due to the fact that using a bain-marie to whip the eggs will help you get a larger volume while also allowing the sugar to dissolve properly and quickly.
Be Careful With Butter
When you are going to fold the melted butter into the whipped egg and sugar mixture, be extremely careful. This is an important step, as you should not reduce the volume of the mixture when incorporating the butter into it. So take extra caution while folding the butter.
Use Ingredients At Room Temperature
Another important step that you need to consider is to use ingredients at room temperature to get the best and most favorable outcomes. This is especially true in the case of eggs, as using eggs at room temperature will help you get the most volume when they are whipped to create a mixture with sugar. Simply take out your eggs from the refrigerator if you have stored them there and put them in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes so that their temperature gradually increases.
Incorporate Flour
Using flour is a great way to maintain the volume of the mixture. Add a little flour in batches to the mixture. Sifted flour is recommended since it mixes and blends well and evenly.
Use A Stand Mixer Or A Whisk
Using gadgets like a stand mixer or an electric whisk is a wonderful way to make the best genoise, as beating the mixture using these tools will help incorporate more air into the mixture, which will greatly enhance the finished product.
Avoid Opening The Oven Door Midway
This is a basic yet crucial step. When the cake is baking in the oven, make sure you don't open the door, as it may cause the cake to sink in the middle. Make sure you have beaten the eggs and sugar properly to have thickened till the ribbon stage so that when you pull out the beater from the mixture, it leaves a trail on the surface for 5–10 seconds.