Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • Cooking spray
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 4 large egg whites (, at room temperature)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ice cold water
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (, melted)
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
  • 2 cups whole milk (, half-and-half, or heavy whipping cream)
  • 1 tablespoon Singing Dog Vanilla Extract or Singing Dog Vanilla Bean Paste (or vanilla of choice)
  • Optional: Powdered sugar (, fruit)

Instruction

  • Coat an 8-inch square pan that is 2 inches deep with cooking spray.
  • Cut 2 (8- by 12- to 16-inch) sheets of parchment paper. Lay one sheet in the pan, leaving an overhang of at least 2 inches on each side.
  • Lay the second piece on top, across the first, leaving an overhang on the other sides. These will be your "handles" when you take the cake out of the pan; set aside.
  • Heat the oven: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 325°F.
  • Mix the yolk, sugar, and water until pale and fluffy using a mixer and until the sugar is dissolved, very fluffy, light in texture, and the mixture is a very pale whitish-yellow, 5 to 6 minutes. Do not undermix.
  • Drizzle in the melted butter into the egg yolk mixture, while still mixing and mix until it is well-incorporated.
  • Add in the flour and salt and mix until fully combined, scraping down the bottom and side of the bowl as needed.
  • Add the milk or cream and vanilla and mix them in gently and on a slow to medium speed until fully incorporated.
  • Using a mixer, beat egg whites on high speed until the egg whites hold stiff peaks, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the whipped egg whites to the egg yolk and flour mixture and mix gently with a large spoon or a whisk only, about a dozen stirs, making sure to leave a distinct layer of fluffy lumps and clumps remaining at the top. Do not overstir or overmix.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake until the edges are set, the top is a warm to deep brown, and the center still wiggles when the pan is jiggled, 50 to 55 minutes.
  • Let the cake sit in the pan at room temperature until completely cooled.
  • Loosely cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours before serving.
  • Add powered sugar or fruit