Lemon Chiffon Cake
Chiffon cake is a classic challenge for home bakers, but this foolproof method requires no repeated trial runs—beginners can master it on the first try. The finished cake is wonderfully light and refreshing, with bright lemon layered over a delicate black tea aroma, sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate. It rivals anything you'll find at the bakery. Let's get started.
Ingredients
low-gluten flour
53 g
eggs
3
fine granulated sugar
60 g
hot water
40 g
corn oil
35 g
black tea bag
1
fragrant lemon
1
Instructions
1
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients. Choose your preferred brand of black tea bag. For the lemon, use a fragrant lemon (perfume lemon) for a richer, more enchanting aroma. The quantities listed here fit a 6-inch chiffon tube pan from a baking learner, filling the mold exactly to the brim.
2
Step 2
First, rub a little salt over the surface of the lemon, then use a lemon zester to peel off the yellow part of the skin. Take the zest from one whole lemon — it has plenty of fragrance. Finally, add 1/4 of the lemon juice.
3
Step 3
Brew the black tea bag in hot water to release its flavor, then set it aside to cool for later use.
4
Step 4
Separate the egg whites and yolks. The bowls used must be completely free of water and oil. Place the yolks into the lemon zest, then pour in the cooled black tea.
5
Step 5
Sift the low-gluten flour into the tea-egg batter. Fold gently using a cutting-and-turning motion until evenly combined. The final consistency is shown in the picture.
6
Step 6
Add the fine granulated sugar to the egg whites in 3 batches and beat until short, stiff peaks form.
7
Step 7
Add the beaten egg whites to the yolk batter in 3 batches, folding gently yet quickly to avoid deflating the batter.
8
Step 8
Pour the cake batter into the mold and tap gently a few times to release any large air bubbles. The chiffon tube pan used here is the secret to a one-time success — because of the central tube, the cake clings firmly to it as it rises during baking, and won't collapse afterwards. Everyone who has tried it has succeeded on the first try.
9
Step 9
Preheat the ACA oven with both top and bottom heating elements to 150°C. Once preheated, place the pan on the lower-middle rack and bake for 43 minutes, then remove and invert to cool.
10
Step 10
Finished.
