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What is Sponge Cake?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A sponge cake is a cake which is made with flour, sugar, and eggs, but no shortening. As a result, the cake is distinctly light and fluffy when it is prepared well. These cakes are also very porous, marked with distinctive holes that make them look rather a lot like sponges. In addition to being served on its own, sponge cake is used as the base for many desserts, since it is a very sturdy, durable cake. Its absorbency makes it ideal for desserts that call for cake soaked in syrup or alcohol, since the cake will soak up the flavor without falling apart.

Making this type of cake properly does require some skill. It relies on eggs for its leavening, along with a small amount of baking powder in some recipes. The eggs need to be well beaten to integrate air, and the ingredients have to be carefully mixed to ensure that the air bubbles are not forced out. Sponge cake also has to be carefully cooled, as rapid cooling can cause it to collapse and become very heavy. Bakers sometimes make several attempts before they manage to succeed.

Gâteau is a type of French sponge cake.
Gâteau is a type of French sponge cake.

Base sponge cake recipes are very easy to modify with additions of extracts like lemon, almond, chocolate, coconut, orange, and vanilla. The clear, light flavor of the cake allows these flavors to come through without obscuring or overwhelming them. The cakes can also be frosted with light, delicate frostings or jam; Victoria sponge, a classic version, is made by sandwiching jam and whipped cream between layers of cake. The versatility of the sponge makes it very popular with bakers who want flexibility in their finished goods, since it allows them to play around with flavors without the risk of messing up the cake.

Sponge cake is very light and fluffy.
Sponge cake is very light and fluffy.

There's another unique attribute to sponge cake that makes it popular with bakers. The cake remains flexible as it cools, so bakers can make it in a sheet and then roll it up with ingredients like jam, chocolate spreads, and custard. Numerous rolled cakes use a sponge as the base as a result. Rolled cake is surprisingly forgiving for cooks who are just beginning to experiment, so once a baker masters the art of the sponge generally, he or she can achieve quick gratification with a rolled one.

Sponge cake -- though porous and fluffy -- is also durable and often used as a base for desserts.
Sponge cake -- though porous and fluffy -- is also durable and often used as a base for desserts.

Culinary historians believe that sponge cake probably emerged around the early 19th century, because this is when it first started appearing in recipe books. The cake quickly became popular since it was so versatile, and the basic principle of a light, fluffy cake spread across much of the Western world, where various regions developed their own versions. The French Genoise and American chiffon cake are two examples of regional derivatives.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

DentalFloss

Another positive about sponge cake is that most sponge cake recipes are very low in alories and fat, especially compared to other cakes. A lot of pre-made sponge cake mixes, though, can be a lot more fattening, but in general sponge cake is a nice, light alternative to other, richer cakes.

BambooForest

I really enjoy sponge cake with other things added to it, like chocolate sponge cake or having it with fresh fruits. It tastes good with so many different things, it's so versatile.

anon21256

I have made my first 2 sponge cakes and on both occasions they have burned on the bottom, I was leaving them in oven for recommended time and cooking them at 180* Celsius

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    • Gâteau is a type of French sponge cake.
      By: Oran Tantapakul
      Gâteau is a type of French sponge cake.
    • Sponge cake is very light and fluffy.
      By: Berna Şafoğlu
      Sponge cake is very light and fluffy.
    • Sponge cake -- though porous and fluffy -- is also durable and often used as a base for desserts.
      By: torsakarin
      Sponge cake -- though porous and fluffy -- is also durable and often used as a base for desserts.