Light as air and delicately sweet, angel food cake is a classic dessert that feels almost ethereal with every bite. Known for its soft, cloud-like texture and subtle vanilla flavor, this beloved cake is made without butter or oil, relying instead on whipped egg whites to achieve its signature fluffiness. The result is a dessert that’s not only beautifully airy but also surprisingly light, making it perfect for spring and summer gatherings or as a refreshing finish to a rich meal. Its pale golden crust and snowy white interior give it a simple elegance that makes it equally at home on a casual picnic table or a formal dessert spread.
What sets angel food cake apart is its unique structure. Beaten egg whites create a stable meringue that gives the cake its height and tender crumb, while a touch of cream of tartar helps stabilize the foam. The addition of cake flour keeps the texture fine and soft, and sugar balances the flavors while giving the cake a subtle sweetness. Because it contains no fat, angel food cake has a melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes each slice feel almost weightless.
Its neutral flavor and airy texture make it incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate or fruit sauce. For a summery twist, try serving it with macerated strawberries and a dollop of vanilla ice cream, or layer it with lemon curd and blueberries for a simple trifle. It also absorbs syrups and sauces beautifully, allowing you to play with different flavor combinations.
Angel food cake is more than just a dessert, it’s a nostalgic favorite that evokes memories of family gatherings, celebrations, and sunny afternoons. Its lightness and elegance have kept it a timeless classic, loved for generations. Whether enjoyed plain or dressed up with toppings, each bite is a reminder of how simple ingredients can create something truly heavenly.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cake flour sifted
- 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar divided
- 12 large egg whites room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour and 3/4 cup of sugar. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add the remaining 3/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt into the egg whites.
- Sift the flour mixture over the beaten egg whites, a little at a time, folding gently until incorporated.
- Pour the batter evenly into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched.
- Invert the pan immediately and let cool completely before removing the cake from the pan.
Nutrition
Took me 3 tries to get it right. What’s the deal with stiff peaks?!
Angel food cake? More like devilish fitness when I eat all of it in one go! 😋
This cake is just heavenly! So light and fluffy, I can’t get enough!
Is is normal for it to rise so much? Mine was like a giant meringue.
Yeah, mine did that too! I think it’s just how the egg whites work in this recipe. It’s awesome, right?
Hmm, I don’t think it should rise that much… Maybe you whipped the egg whites too much? Just a thought.
I tried this recipe but my cake fell flat. Maybe I overbeat the egg whites? Not sure what went wrong…
Why do I need cream of tartar? Can I skip that?
INVERT?? What does that even mean? 😕
I thought invert meant like turn upside down? I dunno, sounds weird to me.
Inverting means flipping the cake upside down after baking. It’s to cool it without it collapsing!
Angel food cake is supposed to have eggs, right? So why no yolks? Fattening!
I didn’t have almond extract… just used more vanilla. Still turned out great!
Yum! I love adding fresh strawberries on top, makes it even better!
I totally agree! Strawberries just make everything better. Can’t wait to try that next time!
Too much sugar. I think it taste better with less sugar. :/
I don’t think there’s such a thing as too much sugar in a cake! It’s supposed to be sweet! Maybe you just need to try it again? 😊
I totally agree! I think the cake can be delicious with half the sugar. Sugar makes it too sweet and masks the flavor of the almond! 🍰
Ain’t no cake like an angel food cake. Glad I learned to make it! <3
This was a flop for me! It didn’t rise at all. Followed recipe tho!
Easy recipe! My kids helped, and it was fun. Will make again!
Angel food cake is my favorite! This recipe made it even better.
Yum, but why is it called angel food? Is there some kind of angel inside?! 😂
I’m no baker, but this seems easy enough. Gonna try it this weekend!
Idk, this seems too complicated with all that folding and stuff. Can’t I just use a box mix?
I get where you’re coming from! Box mixes are super easy, but there’s something about homemade that just tastes better! Plus, it’s fun to try new things! 😊
Looks pretty and all, but who has time for all this folding? 🥱
I dunno, why use so much sugar? It just seemed too sweet for me. Next time, I’ll cut the sugar by half.
This is the best angel food cake recipe ever! So fluffy and light.
Fluffy? Really? I’ve tried so many angel food cake recipes and they just never come out right.
I totally agree! This recipe turned out amazing for me too! Perfectly fluffy.
This is the easiest cake recipe ever! Just follow the steps, peeps!
Angel food cake is not a real cake. It’s just glorified egg whites! Why not just make a regular cake?
Honestly, Angel food cake is unique! It’s super light and fluffy, perfect for summer. Give it a try before dissing it!
Cake flour? Is that even a real thing? Why can’t I just use regular flour?
Cake flour is definitely a real thing! It’s finer and has less protein than regular flour, which helps make cakes lighter and fluffier. Using regular flour could make your cake dense.
Didn’t like it. Too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time?
Un-greased tube pan is non-negotiable, right? I forgot and used parchment… okay not exactly, but I was nervous. It came out flatter than I wanted. Flavor is fine.
I tried this and it didn’t rise at all! What did I do wrong?
This cake is heavenly! So fluffy and light, perfect for a summer dessert.
I totally agree! This cake is so light and tasty, I could eat the whole thing in one sitting!
I used whole eggs instead of just whites…oops. Is that why it failed?
Oops is right! Whole eggs will make it dense. Just use the whites next time. Good luck!
Yeah, using whole eggs instead of just egg whites can totally mess it up! The fat in the yolks makes it hard to get those fluffy peaks. Don’t worry though, you’ll nail it next time!
Really nice cake!! Can anyone tell me if I can use regular flour instead of cake flour?
Yummy! My kids loved it. We might even try different flavors next time!!!
Yummy? Really? I found it a bit too sweet. Everyone’s taste is different, I guess.
That sounds great! Trying different flavors is a fun idea. Maybe lemon or strawberry next time?
Made this for a dinner and it turned out *so* light. The folding part is key—didn’t overmix, and the texture was perfect. Vanilla + almond is a great combo.
Best recipe ever! I baked this cake for my daughter’s birthday and it was a hit!! 🥳
I dunno, isn’t angel food cake supposed to be hard to make? I tried once and it flopped. 🤷♂️
That’s so awesome! 🎉 Glad it was a hit! I love making this recipe too! It’s so light and fluffy.
This cake turned out amazing! So fluffy and light, just like I remember from my childhood. Will definitely make it again!
I’m so glad to hear that! Angel food cake is like a cloud on your plate. What’s your secret? 😊
I followed the recipe step by step, but it didn’t rise well, any tips?
I dunno, I tried this recipe too and mine came out flat. Did you use cake flour? Maybe that’s why. 😕
Maybe the egg whites weren’t beaten enough? They need to be really stiff to help the cake rise! Good luck!
Angel food cake rocks! It’s my go-to for parties. Always a hit with the fam!
I tried this but forgot the sugar. It was a disaster. No one warned me! 😭
Why didn’t you just add sugar after? That’s what I would do. 🤷♂️
Oh no! I feel ya! Sugar is super important in cakes! Next time, don’t forget it! 😅
This cake is light as a cloud! Perfect for summer parties.
Easy to make and tastes great! I added some strawberries on top.
Strawberries sounds yummy! I bet it added a nice flavor. Can’t wait to try it! 🥰
I dunno, can a cake really be easy with all them egg whites? Seems complicated to me.
I tried making this but my egg whites didn’t get foamy. Not sure what went wrong. Any tips?
Make sure your bowl is super clean! Even a tiny bit of grease can stop the egg whites from getting foamy.
I had the same problem once! Maybe your eggs were too cold? They should be at room temp for best results.
Kinda dry for my liking. Did I overbake it? Somebody help!
Yeah, overbaking can definitely make it dry. Did you check it a bit before the time was up? Usually, it’s better to err on the side of underbaking with angel food cake.
Not bad, but mine came out a little dry. I think I baked it closer to 40 minutes and maybe my oven runs hot. Taste is still sweet and nice though.
Totally makes sense—angel food can dry out fast if the oven runs hot or if it goes closer to the upper end of the range. I’m glad it still tasted sweet though! Next time try checking around 30–35 min and make sure you’re not overbaking once it springs back.
I dunno about this. Egg whites are tricky, and mine flopped, literally. 🙁
I totally understand your struggle! Egg whites can be so temperamental. Maybe next time try using fresh ones at room temp? It can make a difference. 😊
I had a similar problem before! I think if you overbeat the egg whites, it can also cause issues. Gotta be gentle! 🙄
Easy and delicious! I topped mine with strawberries and whipped cream. It was a hit at the party!
I dunno, isn’t angel food cake supposed to be hard to make? I always end up with a flat one. 🤔
Sounds amazing! Strawberries and whipped cream are such a classic combo. I need to try this for my next gathering!
Cake? More like a cloud! This wasn’t filling at all, I need a real cake to satisfy my hunger!
Angel food cake is super light! It’s not meant to be heavy, so maybe try something else if you want more substance. It’s great for a dessert after a big meal though!
Wow! So light and airy! I added some strawberries on top, perfection!
That sounds amazing! Strawberries are a great touch. Can’t wait to try this!
I don’t know… didn’t you find it a bit bland? I mean, cake without chocolate? Really?
Can y’all please tell me what cream of tartar is? Never heard of it before.
Just okay. A little bland without frosting. 🤷♂️
Yum ✨✨
Followed the recipe to a T, but my cake fell flat! What did I do wrong?
Sooo good! I topped it with strawberries and whipped cream… yumm!
I agree! Strawberries and whipped cream are the best toppings. This cake is so light and fluffy!
Mine turned out chewy, not sure what happened. Followed the recipe. Sad!
Angel food cake is my favorite! I add berries on top for an extra zing. Yum!
This cake was so light and fluffy! A total hit at my party! Will make again.
I’m glad to hear it was a hit! I’ve always found angel food cake to be so light, perfect for summer parties! 🍰
Super delicious! I could eat this every day! 💖
I tried this but it didn’t rise much. Did I fold the batter wrong? I’m kinda confused.
Great recipe! I made a berry sauce to drench it in, super good combo! Will make again.
This cake is pure heaven! So fluffy and light, my kids devoured it! Can’t believe it’s so easy to make.
I’m glad you liked it! My kids enjoyed it too, but I found it a bit too sweet. Next time, I might reduce the sugar a little.
This is the best dessert ever! Sweet and fluffy, just like clouds! ☁️
No way this can be bad! Can’t wait to try it, sounds too good!
Boring! Why even have a cake with so few flavors? Needs chocolate!
I hear ya! Chocolate would totally make this cake way more exciting! Maybe try drizzling some chocolate sauce on top? 🍫
The almond extract made it too strong for my taste, maybe next time I’ll leave it out.
I thought the almond extract was the best part! But hey, everyone’s taste is different.
Angel food? More like sponge! This is just fancy oatmeal haha.
I followed the recipe but my cake turned out flat. What did I do wrong?
I don’t think you did anything wrong, sometimes cakes just be like that ya know? 🤷♂️
Maybe you didn’t beat the egg whites enough? They need to be really fluffy for it to rise properly.
This is the best angel food cake I’ve ever made! Super fluffy and light. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so glad you loved it! Angel food cake is my favorite too. It’s like eating a cloud!
Too eggy! I don’t understand why you need so many egg whites. Never making this again!
Mine collapsed in the middle 😭 I probably underbeat the peaks or I folded too aggressively. Next time I’ll be more gentle and won’t open the oven door.
Honestly, it turned out a bit heavy for me. Not what I expected.
I’m not a baker at all, but this was surprisingly easy! Will definitely make again!
I made this exactly as written and the texture is seriously light and fluffy—true angel food vibes. The “unstated” key for me was making sure the egg whites were stiff before folding. Great recipe!
Totally agree—stiff peaks make or break this. I was nervous the first time and mine turned out kind of chewy, not airy. Great reminder to fold gently too!
Cake good, but I burnt it a little… still tasted fine tho!
You burnt it? I thought Angel Food Cake was supposed to be like, fluffy and white, not burnt! lol
Burnt or not, as long as it tastes good, that’s what matters! Great job!
This is a classic recipe! Made it for family, everyone loved it! Thanks!
I dunno, it seems hard to make. How do you make something like this without it falling? Sounds tricky!
That’s awesome to hear! Angel food cake is such a light treat. Did you serve it with any toppings?
I don’t even know what angel food cake is supposed to taste like, but this was good!
I dunno, but it sounds kinda fancy. How can a cake be made with only egg whites? That seems weird…
Angel food cake is super light and airy! Glad you liked it! You should try it with some fresh fruit next time. 😋
Fluffy cake! My great grandma used to make this but she didn’t use almond. Just vanilla!
This cake was so fluffy and delicious! I loved it!
I dunno, mine just didn’t rise… maybe it was too hot in my kitchen? Just saying.
Maybe it was the temperature! Sometimes just a bit off can mess up the rise. Did you check your oven with a thermometer?
I swear I did everything right and my peaks never got stiff. Maybe my mixer is weak? Cake was still edible but not that airy.
Ugh, that’s so frustrating 😩 If your peaks never got stiff, I’d suspect either the egg whites weren’t perfectly room temp, or there was *any* grease/oil in the bowl/whisk. Even a little residue can stop whipping. Also make sure you’re adding sugar gradually—not dumping it all at once.
I’m not a baker, and this seemed real complicated. Thought it would be more simple.
This ain’t too hard if ya take your time. Just follow the steps and you should be fine. Don’t give up!
I totally get it! Baking can be pretty intimidating at first. But once you get the hang of it, it’s actually really fun!
I don’t get why people like this cake. It’s just egg whites and sugar! Not my favorite.
This cake was so fluffy! I loved it. Can’t believe how easy it was to make.
This is the best angel food cake I’ve ever made! So fluffy and light. Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Angel food cake is such a classic and super satisfying to make. Have you tried adding any fruits on top?
Best? Really? I mean, I’ve made angel food before and it was just ok. Maybe I didn’t beat the eggs enough? Im not sure…
This recipe is missing something… maybe some chocolate or fruit in there? Just feels plain to me.
I think it’s perfect as is! Sometimes simplicity is the key. No need to drown it in chocolate.
Why does it have to be angel food if it uses so much sugar? Seems a bit misleading, lol.
But isn’t it kinda confusing? Like, shouldn’t it be called sugar cake then? Lol
I think the sugar is what makes it so fluffy! Angel food cake is light and sweet. It’s a dessert, after all!
Super easy to make, my kids loved it! Will definitely make again.
This is a classic and the recipe actually looks legit. Folding slowly until incorporated is the key. I served it with berries and it was perfect.
Angel food is always a little intimidating, but this recipe felt straightforward. My whites hit stiff peaks pretty quick (room temp eggs helped). Nice and airy—would make again.
Not gonna lie, I messed up the folding. It got kinda deflated and dense, but it still tasted sweet and good. Guess I’m not as gentle as I think lol.
Honestly, that happens to a lot of people—angel food cake is super sensitive. If it still tasted sweet and good, I’d call it a win. Next time just fold slower and stop as soon as the flour disappears.
Dense?? you sure you didnt overbeat the whites? I feel like angel food only works if you use powdered sugar not granulated. Also 350F seems low, should be like 375 so it sets faster 😅
I don’t have a tube pan, only a bundt. Can I use it? Also, do I need to grease that or keep it ungreased? Confused.
Pretty good. But I don’t think it’s worth all that beating. Just use a ready mix!
Yum!