Our Dreamy Cloud Cake Recipe: Light, Airy, and Simply Divine!

Have you ever dreamt of a cake so light and fluffy it feels like you’re biting into a cloud? Imagine a dessert that’s ethereally soft, with a delicate sweetness and a wonderfully jiggly texture that melts in your mouth. It sounds like pure magic, doesn’t it? Well, we’re here to tell you that this dream can become a delicious reality in your very own kitchen! We are thrilled to share our enchanting cloud cake recipe, a creation that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat. This isn’t just any cake; it’s an experience – a light, airy sensation that will have everyone asking for your secret. Get ready to float away on a cloud of deliciousness!

What Exactly is a Cloud Cake?

A cloud cake, sometimes known as a “cloud bread cake” or “jiggly cloud cake,” gets its name from its incredibly light, airy, and almost cloud-like texture. It became a viral sensation on platforms like TikTok for its mesmerising jiggle and seemingly magical composition. Unlike traditional dense cakes, a cloud cake recipe relies heavily on whipped egg whites (meringue) to provide structure and lightness, often using very little or no traditional flour.

The result is a cake that’s subtly sweet, incredibly soft, and has a delightful melt-in-your-mouth quality. It’s a unique dessert that’s both fascinating to watch bake (and jiggle!) and wonderfully satisfying to eat. We think its popularity stems from its whimsical nature and the surprisingly simple ingredients needed to create such an ethereal treat.

Gathering Your Ingredients: The Simple Magic Behind Our Cloud Cake Recipe

One of the most delightful things about our cloud cake recipe is its minimalist ingredient list. You might be astounded at how few items are necessary to create something so special. Here’s what you’ll need:

Core Ingredients for the Perfect Fluff:

• Egg Whites: 3 large, at room temperature. This is absolutely crucial. Room temperature egg whites whip up to a greater volume, which is essential for a light and airy cloud cake.
• Granulated Sugar (or Caster Sugar): 60g (about 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon). This sweetens the cake and stabilises the egg whites.
• Cornflour (Corn Starch): 10g (about 1 tablespoon). This helps to stabilise the meringue and gives the cake a tender, slightly chewy texture. It also makes this an **easy gluten-free cloud cake**.
• Cream of Tartar (Optional but Recommended): 1/4 teaspoon. This acidic ingredient helps to make the egg whites more stable and allows them to achieve their maximum volume and maintain it. If you don’t have it, a few drops of lemon juice or white vinegar can work as a substitute.

Optional Flavourings and Colourings:

• Vanilla Extract: 1/2 teaspoon. For a classic, delicate flavour.
• Food Colouring (Gel or Powdered): A few drops if you want to create a colourful cloud cake (e.g., blue for a sky-like appearance, or pink for a whimsical touch). Gel or powdered food colouring is preferred over liquid as it adds less moisture.
• Flavour Extracts: A few drops of almond, lemon, or strawberry extract can add a lovely twist.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Ethereal Cloud Cake

Now, let’s embark on the magical journey of making your very own cloud cake. Precision with the meringue is key, but don’t worry, we’ll guide you through it!

1. Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Tin and Preheat the OvenPreheat your oven to a relatively low temperature, around 150°C (130°C Fan / Gas Mark 2). This gentle heat is crucial for a successful cloud cake recipe. Line a small round cake tin (about 15cm or 6 inches in diameter) or a small loaf tin with baking parchment. Make sure the parchment extends up the sides, as the cake will rise significantly. You can lightly grease the tin before lining to help the parchment stick if needed.
2. Step 2: Prepare the Egg WhitesEnsure your mixing bowl and whisk attachments (preferably from an electric hand mixer or stand mixer) are impeccably clean and completely free of any grease or fat. Any trace of fat can stop the egg whites from whipping up correctly. Separate your eggs carefully, ensuring no yolk gets into the whites. Place the room temperature egg whites into your clean mixing bowl.
3. Step 3: Begin whipping the meringue.If using cream of tartar, introduce it to the egg whites at this point. Start whisking the egg whites on a medium-low speed until they turn foamy and opaque, resembling soft soap bubbles. This process generally takes a minute or two.
4. Step 4: Gradually Add the SugarOnce foamy, start adding the granulated sugar very gradually, roughly one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to whisk on a medium speed. Allow the sugar to dissolve before adding the next tablespoon. This slow addition is important for creating a stable and glossy meringue, the backbone of your **fluffy cloud cake**.
5. Step 5: Whip to Stiff, Glossy PeaksAfter all the sugar has been incorporated, increase the mixer speed to medium-high. Continue to whisk until the meringue is thick, glossy, and forms stiff peaks. “Stiff peaks” indicate that when you lift the whisk from the meringue, the formed peak maintains its shape and doesn’t droop. The meringue should appear smooth and shiny, not dry or curdled. If you’re adding vanilla extract or any other liquid flavourings/colourings, gently fold them in at this stage with a spatula, being careful not to deflate the meringue too much.
6. Step 6: Fold in the CornflourSift the cornflour over the stiff meringue. Using a large metal spoon or a flexible spatula, gently fold the cornflour into the meringue. Employ light, cutting and lifting actions, moving around the bowl and then through the centre. Be very careful not to overmix or be too vigorous, as this will force the air out of your carefully whipped meringue. Fold only until the cornflour is just incorporated and no streaks remain.
7. Step 7: Transfer to Baking Tin and ShapeGently spoon or pipe the meringue mixture into your prepared baking tin. You can either smooth the top for a flatter cake or create a more cloud-like, domed shape by mounding it slightly in the centre. This is where the artistry of your cloud cake recipe comes in!
8. Step 8: Bake Low and SlowPlace the cake tin in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25-40 minutes. The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven and the size/shape of your tin. The cake is done when it’s lightly golden on top (or the colour you’ve chosen), looks set, and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean or with just a few moist particles. It should yield slightly when gently pressed.
9. Step 9: Cool and Serve Your Cloud CakeOnce baked, switch off the oven and let the cake remain inside with the oven door slightly ajar for about 10-15 minutes. This procedure helps to stop the cake from deflating due to an abrupt change in temperature. Then, carefully remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the tin on a wire rack before gently removing it using the parchment paper overhang. This **jiggly cloud cake** is very delicate when warm. Serve it as is, or with a light dusting of icing sugar, fresh berries, or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Cloud Cake Recipe

Achieving that perfect cloud-like texture requires a bit of care, especially with the meringue. Here are our top suggestions for success with your cloud cake recipe:

• Cleanliness is Key: Ensure your bowl and whisks are scrupulously clean and free from any grease. Even a tiny speck of fat can ruin your meringue.
• Room Temperature Egg Whites: They whip up to a much greater volume than cold egg whites. If you forget to take them out, you can place the whole eggs in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 5-10 minutes.
• Gradual Sugar Addition: Introducing sugar too rapidly can hinder the meringue from achieving its maximum volume. Proceed slowly.
• Don’t Overwhip: While you want stiff peaks, overwhipping can cause the meringue to become dry, grainy, and eventually collapse. Stop when it’s thick, glossy, and holds its shape.
• Gentle Folding: When adding cornflour or any flavourings, use a gentle hand. The air you’ve whipped in is precious!
• Low and Slow Baking: Cooking at a reduced temperature for an extended duration aids the cake in baking through gently, without excessive browning or collapsing.
• Avoid Opening the Oven Door: Resist the urge to peek too often, especially during the first half of baking, as this can make the delicate cake fall.
• Cool Gradually: Allowing the cake to cool down slowly within the switched-off oven, with the door slightly open, assists in maintaining its volume.

Fun Variations to Elevate Your Cloud Cake

While the basic cloud cake recipe is delightful on its own, here are some fun ways to customise it:

• Rainbow Cloud Cake: Divide the meringue into a few bowls after folding in the cornflour. Gently colour each segment with a unique pastel food shade. Carefully spoon or pipe the different coloured meringues into the tin to create a marbled or layered rainbow effect.
• Chocolate Swirl Cloud Cake: Gently fold in a tablespoon or two of sifted cocoa powder with the cornflour for a light chocolate flavour. Or, drizzle a little melted (and cooled) chocolate over the meringue before baking for a swirled effect.
• Fruity Cloud Cake: Fold in a tablespoon of freeze-dried raspberry or strawberry powder along with the cornflour for a natural fruity flavour and colour.
• Coffee Cloud Cake: Dissolve a teaspoon of instant espresso powder in the vanilla extract before adding it to the meringue.
• Mini Cloud Cakes: Bake the mixture in a lined muffin tin for individual portions. Reduce baking time accordingly (start checking around 15-20 minutes).

Serving and Storing Your Heavenly Cloud Cake

Your beautiful cloud cake is best enjoyed on the day it’s made, as its delicate texture is at its peak freshness. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Simply Dusted: A delicate sprinkle of icing sugar is all it requires for an elegant presentation.
• With Fresh Berries: Serve alongside a bowl of fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.
• With Lightly Whipped Cream: A dollop of softly whipped cream (perhaps lightly sweetened) complements the airy cake beautifully.
• With a Fruit Coulis: A drizzle of raspberry or strawberry coulis adds a lovely tartness and colour.

Due to its delicate nature and high egg white content, a cloud cake doesn’t store as well as denser cakes. If you have leftovers, keep them in a sealed container at ambient temperature for a maximum of one day. It may lose some of its signature jiggle and become a bit chewier over time. We do not recommend refrigerating it, as this can make it weep or become sticky.

• Master the art of Perfect Meringue: Tips and Tricks .
• Explore more Dessert Recipes.
• Discover our Cakes recipes collection.
• For a deeper understanding of egg white chemistry in baking, a reliable resource like the American Egg Board can provide fascinating insights (search for “meringue” or “egg foams”).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Cloud Cake Recipe

Why did my cloud cake collapse or deflate?

There are several reasons this might happen: the egg whites weren’t whipped to stiff enough peaks; the meringue was overmixed or deflated when folding in other ingredients; the oven temperature was too high or fluctuated too much; or the cake was removed from the oven too soon or cooled too rapidly. Following the tips for meringue and baking carefully should help prevent this.

Is a cloud cake recipe gluten-free?

Yes, our core cloud cake recipe using egg whites, sugar, and cornflour (corn starch) is naturally gluten-free. Always ensure your cornflour is certified gluten-free if catering for someone with coeliac disease.

Can I use a sugar substitute in this recipe?

Sugar plays a crucial role in stabilising the meringue as well as providing sweetness. While some sugar substitutes might work, they can affect the texture and stability of the meringue. We recommend sticking to granulated or caster sugar for the best results with this particular cloud cake recipe unless you are experienced with meringue-making using alternatives.

My cloud cake is sticky on top. What happened?

Stickiness can sometimes occur due to humidity or if the cake absorbed moisture during cooling. Ensure it cools in a dry environment. A very light dusting of icing sugar can sometimes help absorb slight stickiness.

Can I make a larger cloud cake?

You can try scaling up the recipe, but meringue-based cakes can be a bit temperamental. If you double the recipe, you might need to adjust the baking time and be extra careful with the meringue stability. It might be easier to make two separate, smaller cakes.

Conclusion: Float Away on a Cloud of Sweetness!

We truly hope you feel inspired to try our enchanting cloud cake recipe! It’s a wonderfully whimsical dessert that’s sure to bring a touch of magic to your table. Despite its ethereal appearance, it’s surprisingly straightforward to make once you master the art of the perfect meringue. The light, airy, and jiggly texture combined with a delicate sweetness makes this cake an unforgettable experience.

This **fluffy cloud cake** is more than just a trend; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients, when treated with a little care and technique, can create something truly extraordinary. So, whip up those egg whites, get your oven preheated, and prepare to delight your senses with this heavenly creation. It’s a slice of pure joy!

We’d love to hear about your cloud cake recipe adventures! Did you try any fun colours or flavours? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below. And if you’re looking for more unique dessert ideas, be sure to explore our other delicious recipes!