It’s the time of year that I go on a baking frenzy. If it can turn into a batter of some sort I’m making it. Today my mom and I had a sweet tooth, we looked in the pantry and we had, corn starch, baking powder, cocoa powder, and flour. We looked at each other and automatically knew what we were going to make!
Usually to make a Pan di Spagna, you’d need Pane degli Angeli 
It’s really not that difficult. We had to play around with the ingredients a few times before we got it right. Seven years of experimenting, and we finally perfected it. I have to admit, my mom is smart. The two of us in a kitchen together, can really start a kitchen war! We have so many different ideas, and trying to combine them into one is a little difficult. Eventually though we get things done.
Today was no different that’s for sure! I wanted to poach the peaches, she wanted to just slice them up. I wanted to candy the oranges, she wanted to zest them. She finally said, “Fine I’ll bake, and you poach and candy!” Thanks Mom! And so we did. We put on some Italian music, ok some OLD Italian music, we danced, sang, and baked! We had fun!
So are you ready for the recipe? Thought so!
- 4 Large Eggs - Separated
- 3/4 cup sugar - Divided
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- Pinch salt
- 1/2 Cup Flour
- 1/2 Cup Cornstarch
- (For Chocolate Pan Di Spagna)
- 1/4 Cup Flour
- 1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
- In a medium mixing bowl, begin to whisk the egg yolks with the vanilla extract.
- Add in half of the sugar and continue to beat until very light and froth begins to form.
- In a separate bowl or container, combine the flour and cornstarch and sift once to aerate.
- In another medium bowl beat the egg whites with the salt until they form soft peaks.
- Begin to beat faster, and add the remaining sugar slowly, beating until the egg whites form firm peaks.
- Slowly fold the yolk mixture into the egg whites.
- Sift the flour and cornstarch over the eggs and fold them in gradually.
- Pour the batter into a buttered and floured bundt pan.
- Bake the Pan di Spagna at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes
Want to see what the chocolate one looks like? As if I should really be asking such a silly question!
I made my own candied oranges and had some maraschino cherries in the fridge. I made a vanilla glaze and chocolate glaze. I love decorating cakes just as much as I love baking them!
Another argument me and mom had was over what kind of pan to use. She has this affinity for bundt pans
The best thing, I think, about these cakes is that you can dress them up however you’d like. Sprinkle some powdered sugar, add some fresh strawberries, or you can do what I did! It’s simple, fun, and delicious!
What are some of your favorite memories in the kitchen?
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Maria
Maria is a Writer, an advocate for Infertility and PCOS, and an avid baker and cook. Follow her adventures as an overworked work at home mom! Grab a cup of strong coffee, I recommend a nice espresso or a cappuccino and get ready to be entertained and educated.
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Sounds like a fun time in the kitchen! You really have been in a cooking/baking frenzy – I drool when I see your posts!
The chocolate looks so yummy!! I think I would place strawberries on top 🙂
My mom didn’t spend time with me in the kitchen, but my grandmother was a cake baker. So she always had icing and cake batter around. I use to love when she would finish a cake and let me lick the spoon lol Year later I’m shocked I never got samenela (Can’t spell that word to save my life) from raw egg
Yum! That chocolate one looks amazing! I’m too much of a klutz to actually bake things but I’m forwarding this to my neighbor so she can make it for us LOL!