Name: French sponge – basic recipe for a delicate and fluffy cake base
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 4 eggs; 120 g granulated sugar; 120 g plain flour; 30 g melted butter (optional); a pinch of salt

French sponge – basic recipe for a delicate and fluffy cake base

French sponge – basic recipe for a delicate and fluffy cake base recept

Easy to prepare
1 serving
45 minutes

Jan, 19. 12. 2025

The French sponge called Genoise is a popular base for cakes, roulades and delicate desserts. Unlike ordinary sponge batters, it does not contain baking powder – it gains its volume solely from thoroughly whisking the eggs with sugar. The result is a light, elastic batter that slices well and holds its shape nicely.

For 1 serving

Ingredients

4 eggs
120 g granulated sugar
120 g plain flour
30 g melted butter (optional)
a pinch of salt

Preparation procedure

Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Grease a cake pan with butter and dust with flour, or line with baking paper.
Crack the eggs into a stainless steel bowl, add the sugar and a pinch of salt. Place the bowl over a bain-marie and whisk with a whisk or an electric mixer until a thick, pale foam forms (approx. 10 minutes).
Then remove from the heat and continue whisking off the bain-marie until the mixture cools and firms up.
Gently fold in the sifted flour with a spatula. If you want a moister sponge, add the melted butter at the end.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden. After baking, let the sponge cool in the pan, then remove.

Servings: 1 cake sponge (for a 20–22 cm pan)
Total preparation time: 45 minutes

Recipe conclusion:

The French sponge Genoise is a perfect choice for anyone who wants to create a light and airy cake base without using baking powder. Thanks to its elasticity, it is ideal for layered cakes and roulades. You can flavor it with lemon zest, cocoa, or vanilla depending on the dessert. Once you try it, it will become a staple in your baking.

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