Description
This Italian inspired citrus chiffon cake is a light and fluffy dessert that will disappear from your kitchen table quicker than you can say “cake time”.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup + ¾ cup granulated sugar, separated
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup milk
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of ½ orange
- 1 teaspoon Fiori di Sicilia essence (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 egg yolks
- 6 egg whites
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
Instructions
Cake Batter Preparation:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Have an ungreased tube pan or angel food cake pan ready.
- Dry Ingredients Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and ½ cup sugar together.
- Wet Ingredients Mixture: Stir in egg yolks, milk, vegetable oil, lemon zest, orange zest, Fiori di Sicilia (if using), and vanilla extract until well combined.
Meringue Preparation:
- Whip Egg Whites: In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar, then gradually incorporate ¾ cup sugar, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form and the texture resembles thick meringue (about 7-8 minutes).
Combining and Baking:
- Fold Meringue into Batter: Carefully fold the meringue into the cake batter with a spatula to keep the air in the egg whites.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the ungreased pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool: Immediately invert the pan to cool completely. Use a knife to loosen the cake before unmolding.
Notes
- Fiori di Sicilia Substitute: If Fiori di Sicilia is unavailable, combine equal parts vanilla extract and orange extract to mimic its unique citrus and floral notes.
- Pan Preparation: Do not grease the pan; the cake needs to cling to the sides to rise properly.
- Cooling: Inverting the pan helps the cake maintain its volume as it cools.
- Serving Suggestion: Dust with powdered sugar or serve with fresh whipped cream for added decadence.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 60 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian Inspired