Easy Ina Garten Lemon Angel Food Cake Recipe That’s Heavenly

Lemon angel food cake represents a cloud-like dessert that transforms simple ingredients into a heavenly culinary experience.

Ethereal and light, this confection whispers promises of delicate sweetness with bright citrus undertones.

Soft peaks of whipped egg whites create its signature airy texture, making each slice feel like a gentle embrace.

The cake delicate crumb melts effortlessly on your tongue, releasing vibrant lemon notes that dance across your palate.

Its pristine white appearance belies the complex flavor profile waiting to surprise you.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert bridges the gap between sophisticated baking and comforting home-style treats.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this recipe with a bit of patience and careful technique: prepare to indulge in pure culinary magic.

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Lemon Angel Food Cake

• Egg Whites: Fresh and room temperature whites are key for achieving the perfect fluffy texture.
• Superfine Sugar: Dissolves easily and creates a smooth, fine cake structure.
• Cake Flour: Ultra-fine flour ensures a delicate, tender crumb with soft texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic background flavor to complement the lemon.
• Lemon Zest: Provides bright, vibrant citrus notes and aromatic intensity.

• Salt, Cream of Tartar: Helps stabilize egg whites and create consistent, strong meringue structure.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Lemon Angel Food Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grab a 10-inch tube pan. Important note: do not grease the pan, as angel food cakes need to climb the sides while baking.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• Superfine sugar
• Cake flour

Sift this mixture 4 times to ensure ultimate smoothness and eliminate any potential lumps.

Step 3: Whip Egg White Foundation

• Egg whites
• Salt
• Cream of tartar

Blend on high speed until medium-firm peaks develop, typically taking 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Build Flavor Profile

• Vanilla extract
• Lemon zest

Blend for an additional minute to distribute flavors evenly.

Step 5: Delicately Incorporate Flour

Gently fold flour mixture into egg whites using a rubber spatula. Add flour in quarter portions, using a light folding technique. Avoid stirring or aggressive mixing to maintain air bubbles.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer batter to tube pan. Smooth top gently with spatula. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness by lightly touching the top – it should spring back immediately. Once baked, immediately invert pan on cooling rack to prevent cake from deflating.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Once completely cooled, carefully separate cake from pan edges using a knife. Serve with optional toppings like whipped cream or powdered sugar. Enjoy the light, zesty texture of your homemade lemon angel food cake!

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Lemon Angel Food Cake

• Whip with Precision: Start beating egg whites at low speed, gradually increasing to medium-high for stable, voluminous peaks that create a cloudlike texture.
• Prevent Flour Lumps: Sift dry ingredients multiple times before folding to guarantee a smooth, lump-free batter that guarantees an even, delicate crumb.
• Protect Cake Height: Never grease the angel food cake pan, as the ungreased surface allows the batter to climb and rise dramatically during baking.
• Cool Upside Down: Immediately invert the hot pan onto a wire rack after baking, letting gravity stretch the cake and maintain its impressive volume.
• Zest with Finesse: Use a microplane to extract only the bright yellow outer layer of the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith that can muddle the cake's delicate flavor.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Lemon Angel Food Cake

• Airtight Container Method: Seal the cake in a pristine, moisture-resistant container that protects its delicate texture. Prevent absorption of any lingering refrigerator odors by choosing a container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Freezer Preservation Method: Carefully wrap the cake in multiple layers of plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain. Add an extra protective layer of aluminum foil to guard against freezer burn and flavor contamination.
• Room Temperature Storage Method: Place the cake on a cake stand with a protective dome for short-term storage. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain its light, airy consistency.

Delicious Variations on Ina Garten’s Lemon Angel Food Cake

• Lavender Lemon Cloud: Infuse the cake with dried lavender flowers ground into the sugar, creating a delicate floral undertone that complements the bright lemon zest. The subtle lavender adds an elegant, aromatic dimension to the classic angel food cake.
• Citrus Medley Magic: Replace lemon zest with a combination of orange, lime, and lemon zests to create a vibrant, multi-dimensional citrus profile. This variation brings a complex, tangy flavor that dances across your taste buds with each light, airy bite.
• Berry Burst Brilliance: Gently fold in finely chopped fresh raspberries or blueberries into the batter just before baking. The berries will create pockets of juicy, fruity goodness throughout the cake, adding color and a burst of natural sweetness to the classic recipe.
• Almond Essence Escape: Mix in a teaspoon of almond extract alongside the vanilla, and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking. This nutty variation adds depth and a subtle crunch to the ethereal texture of the traditional angel food cake.

Ina Garten’s Lemon Angel Food Cake: A Refreshing, Fluffy Delight

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s lemon angel food cake, a celestial dessert that whispers sophistication.

Delicate layers of lemony brightness dance across palates with ethereal grace.

Bakers can unlock this heavenly recipe through patient technique and precise measurements.

Whisked egg whites transform into cloud-like pillows of sweet potential.

Kitchen alchemists discover pure elegance in each slice of this classic treat.

Soul-satisfying simplicity calls you to share this magical recipe, comment with your baking adventures, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms.

Why Ina Garten’s Lemon Angel Food Cake is Light, Fresh, and Flavorful

• Effortlessly Elevate Texture: This angel food cake offers an incredibly light, cloud-like texture that practically melts in your mouth, creating a delicate eating experience that feels like pure culinary magic.
• Burst with Bright Citrus Flavor: The zesty lemon notes transform a classic angel food cake into a refreshing dessert that tingles your taste buds with a bright, tangy twist perfect for sunny days and special gatherings.
• Master a Sophisticated Baking Technique: The precise method of sifting flour four times and carefully folding ingredients allows home bakers to develop professional-level skills, creating a restaurant-worthy dessert with minimal complicated steps.
• Create a Guilt-Free Sweet Treat: At just 304 calories per serving, this cake provides a lighter dessert option that doesn't compromise on flavor or satisfaction, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious sweet lovers.

Ina Garten Lemon Angel Food Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s lemon angel food cake brings elegant simplicity to classic dessert traditions. Delicate citrus notes and pillowy texture create a heavenly treat perfect for afternoon tea or special celebrations, promising pure culinary delight for those craving a light and refreshing sweet experience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups egg whites, at room temperature (10 to 12 eggs)
• 2 cups sifted superfine sugar
• 1 ⅓ cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising)

Flavoring and Enhancers:

• 1 ½ teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
• ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar

Seasoning:

• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 350°F (175°C), selecting an ungreased 10-inch tube pan for the angel food cake.
2. Create a precise dry ingredient mixture by combining 1/2 cup superfine sugar with cake flour, meticulously sifting the combination four consecutive times to eliminate any potential lumps.
3. Utilize a stand mixer with a whisk attachment to process egg whites, incorporating salt and cream of tartar, whipping at high speed until medium-firm peaks develop, typically requiring 2-3 minutes of continuous mixing.
4. Transition the mixer to medium speed, gradually introducing the remaining 1 1/2 cups of sugar in a delicate, consistent stream, continuing until the mixture transforms into a lustrous, thick consistency.
5. Infuse flavor by adding vanilla extract and lemon zest, blending for an additional minute to harmonize the aromatic elements.
6. Employ a gentle folding technique when incorporating the flour mixture, sifting approximately one-quarter of the dry ingredients over the whipped egg whites and carefully folding with a rubber spatula to maintain the batter’s airiness.
7. Transfer the gossamer-light batter into the tube pan, smoothing the surface with minimal manipulation, then bake for 35-40 minutes until the top responds with resilience when lightly touched.
8. Remove from the oven and immediately invert the pan onto a cooling rack, allowing the cake to suspend and cool completely, preventing structural collapse.
9. Once thoroughly cooled, delicately separate the cake from the pan’s edges using a thin knife, presenting a ethereal dessert that can be garnished with a light dusting of powdered sugar or accompanied by freshly whipped cream.

Notes

• Precision in whipping egg whites transforms this classic dessert into a cloud-like masterpiece of culinary elegance.
• Room temperature eggs are the secret weapon for achieving maximum volume and ethereal lightness.
• Sifting flour multiple times ensures an impossibly smooth texture that melts on your tongue.
• Gentle folding techniques protect the delicate air bubbles that give the cake its signature airy structure.
• A tube pan acts like a magical support system, allowing the cake to rise to spectacular heights during baking.
• Cooling the cake upside down prevents deflation, preserving its stunning height and delicate crumb.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 186
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg