Genoese Sponge Cake

Info
Prep Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 25 min
Makes: 2 round cakes or 1 jelly roll
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
1 cup (250 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup (250 ml) sugar
6 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted

Make It
1. With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Line two 23-cm (9-inch) round or springform pans with parchment paper. Do not butter the sides.
2. In a bowl, combine the flour with 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of sugar. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs, the remaining sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, triples in volume and forms a ribbon when falling of the beaters, about 10 minutes. Gently fold in the melted butter.
4. Sift the flour mixture over the egg mixture and fold it delicately using a spatula.
5. Pour the batter into the pans. Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
6. Let cool for about 10 minutes. Run a thin knife blade around the cake to detach it from the pan. Unmould and cool on wire rack. 



Note
1. Flour:
For a chocolate sponge cake, substitute 60 ml (1/4 cup) of flour with 60 ml (1/4 cup) of sifted cocoa powder.
2. Eggs:
You can temper the eggs (in their shells) by placing them in a bowl of hot water for 5 minutes.
3. Step 2:
The surface of the cake will be more even and the sides are less likely to collapse if the pan is not buttered.
4.  Step 5:
When ready, the cake gives off a scrambled eggs aroma.
5. For a jelly roll:
Line a 43 x 30-cm (17 x 12-inch) baking sheet (jelly roll pan with high edges) with parchment paper, letting it hang over two sides. Spread the sponge cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 12 minutes or until the cake is lightly browned. Sprinkle sugar on a sheet of parchment paper. Unmould the cake on the parchment paper and remove the backing that has baked with the cake. Roll the cake in the new parchment paper. Leave to cool. Unroll the cake and cover it with jam, buttercream, ganache, whipped cream, or other fillings. Roll the cake onto itself and sprinkle with icing sugar.

My Comments
I baked the round cake version. Yummy! Very simple, easy and quick recipe.