Indulgent Chocolate Angel Food Cake with Fluffy Marshmallow Frosting
This delightful Chocolate Angel Food Cake, adorned with an extra-thick layer of fluffy marshmallow frosting, is a truly enchanting dessert that promises to captivate your taste buds while maintaining a light and airy texture. The best part? It is nearly fat-free, boasting just a whisper of fat from the cocoa powder and chocolate shavings, allowing you to indulge guilt-free. Perfect for special occasions or simply as a treat to elevate your brunch gatherings, this cake offers a rich chocolate experience without overwhelming heaviness.
Recipe Overview
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Recipe Category: Dessert
- Servings: 8
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 from 2 reviews)
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 228 |
Total Fat | 0.9 g |
Saturated Fat | 0.4 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 149.9 mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 51.9 g |
Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g |
Sugars | 44.2 g |
Protein | 6.5 g |
Ingredients
Quantity | Ingredient |
---|---|
1 cup | Cake flour |
½ tsp | Salt |
¼ tsp | Cream of tartar |
1 cup | Superfine sugar |
½ tsp | Vanilla extract |
8 | Egg whites |
⅓ cup | Unsweetened cocoa powder |
¼ cup | Granulated sugar (for frosting) |
⅓ cup | Water (for frosting) |
1 tsp | Cream of tartar (for frosting) |
Chocolate shavings (for garnish) |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Angel Food Cake
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by positioning your oven rack in the bottom third of the oven, then preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This setting ensures even cooking and allows your cake to rise beautifully.
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Sift Sugar: On a clean piece of wax paper, sift ⅔ cup of the superfine sugar and set it aside for later use. This step is crucial to create a light, airy cake.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the remaining ⅓ cup of superfine sugar with the cocoa powder, cake flour, and salt. This mixture will add richness to the cake while keeping it light.
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Whip the Egg Whites: In the large bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg whites at medium speed until they become foamy, signifying the start of the meringue process.
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Add Cream of Tartar: Once foamy, add the cream of tartar to the egg whites and continue beating until the foam turns white and holds the lines of the beater—this indicates the right consistency for the meringue.
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Incorporate Sugar Gradually: Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and gradually add the sifted superfine sugar, one tablespoon at a time, ensuring it is completely incorporated before adding the next. Continue beating for an additional 30 seconds until soft peaks form, creating a glossy meringue.
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Fold in Dry Ingredients: Gently remove the bowl from the mixer and sift the dry ingredients into the beaten egg whites. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the dry mixture carefully to avoid deflating the meringue. The goal is to maintain as much volume as possible.
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Prepare the Cake Pan: Pour the batter into a 10-cup angel food cake pan or a bundt pan, smoothing the top gently without deflating the mixture. This helps in achieving a flat, even surface for the frosting later.
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Release Air Pockets: Lightly bang the pan on the counter once (be gentle!) to release any large air pockets that may have formed.
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Bake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating that the cake is baked through.
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Cool the Cake: Once baked, invert the cake pan over a narrow-necked bottle to allow it to cool completely in the pan, which should take about 1 hour. This cooling method helps the cake retain its height and airy structure.
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Release the Cake: After cooling, run a thin knife around the edges and center tube of the pan to loosen the cake. If necessary, jiggle the pan gently to help release the cake from the sides.
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Serve the Cake: Invert the cake onto a serving platter, revealing the beautiful structure of your Chocolate Angel Food Cake.
Step 2: Make the Marshmallow Frosting
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Prepare the Egg Whites: In the large bowl of a stand mixer, place the egg whites that will be used for the frosting.
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Cook the Sugar Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and ⅓ cup of water, stirring to combine. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
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Beat the Egg Whites: As the sugar syrup heats, start beating the egg whites in the stand mixer at medium-high speed. When they become foamy, add the cream of tartar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form, indicating that the meringue is ready.
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Monitor the Syrup: Insert a candy thermometer into the sugar syrup, ensuring that the bulb is completely submerged. Cook until the syrup reaches 242°F (116°C), which is the soft-ball stage for candy.
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Combine Syrup and Egg Whites: Once the syrup reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the heat. With the mixer still on, slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the egg whites in a thin stream, ensuring it incorporates smoothly.
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Whip the Frosting: Increase the mixer speed to high and continue to beat the mixture for about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure even mixing.
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Add Vanilla: Once the frosting is thick and glossy, add the vanilla extract and beat for an additional minute. The frosting will still be slightly warm at this point, which is perfectly fine.
Step 3: Frost the Cake
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Prepare the Cake for Frosting: Begin by spreading a thin layer of the marshmallow frosting over the entire surface of the cake. Be sure to cover the inside of the center opening as well; this will help to adhere any crumbs and provide a smooth base for the final frosting.
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Frost Generously: Next, coat the cake generously with the remaining marshmallow frosting, ensuring every inch of the cake is enveloped in this sweet, fluffy topping.
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Garnish: For a beautiful presentation, decorate the top of the cake with chocolate shavings, which add an elegant touch and an extra hint of chocolate flavor.
Step 4: Serving the Cake
To serve, carefully slice the cake using a serrated knife or an angel food comb, which is designed specifically for cutting these delicate cakes. Enjoy each light and airy bite, reveling in the rich chocolate flavor combined with the sweet, pillowy frosting. This Chocolate Angel Food Cake with Marshmallow Frosting is perfect for any gathering or simply as a treat to brighten your day.
Enjoy Your Baking Adventure!
Creating this Chocolate Angel Food Cake is a delightful journey that combines the joy of baking with the satisfaction of serving a beautiful and delicious dessert. Share it with friends and family, or savor it as a personal indulgence. Either way, this cake is bound to leave a lasting impression!
Keywords
Chocolate angel food cake
Marshmallow frosting
Healthy dessert
Low cholesterol dessert
Brunch cake
Chocolate dessert
Light cake recipe
Fat-free cake recipe
Oven-baked dessert