Have you ever fantasised about a cake so feather-light and delicate it feels like you are tasting a cloud? A dessert that dissolves on your tongue, leaving just a whisper of sweet contentment? Your fantasy is about to become a reality. We are here to walk you through the entire process of creating the ultimate Heavenly Light Cloud Cake, a confection that is as enchanting to eat as it is to prepare.

This recipe is far more than a simple list of directions; it is an open invitation to craft something genuinely remarkable. Whether you are a seasoned baker seeking a rewarding new challenge or a beginner keen to make an impression, we assure you the final result will be worth every single moment. Get ready to be utterly captivated by this wonderfully wobbly and feather-light creation.

What Exactly Is a Heavenly Light Cloud Cake?

The Heavenly Light Cloud Cake is known by several names, including Japanese cotton cheesecake, souffle cheesecake, and sometimes just ‘jiggly cake’. In contrast to a rich and dense New York-style cheesecake, this cake is famed for its extraordinary texture. It represents a wonderful hybrid, blending the subtle tang of cream cheese with the airy lightness of a chiffon cake and the moist, delicate crumb of a souffle. Its secret lies in the meticulously whipped egg white meringue and a specific baking method known as a water bath, or bain-marie. This technique steams the cake while it bakes, which results in a uniform, soft texture and helps to prevent cracks from forming on top. The outcome is a breathtakingly light and fluffy cake that is delicately sweet and completely irresistible.

Why You’ll Fall in Love With This Recipe

We are absolutely devoted to this cake, and we feel certain that you will be, too. Here is why it truly deserves a place in your go-to baking collection:

• Made with Simple Staples: It calls for common, everyday ingredients that you most likely already have in your kitchen cupboards and fridge.
• A Truly Unforgettable Texture: The melt-in-the-mouth, cloud-like consistency is a genuine showstopper and quite unlike any other cake you have tried.
• Effortlessly Beautiful: With its perfectly smooth, golden-brown surface and even sides, it is a simple yet sophisticated dessert that requires very little decoration.
• Wonderfully Versatile: You can enjoy it plain, with a light dusting of icing sugar, or serve it with fresh berries and a dollop of cream.
• A Rewarding Baking Experience: Although it demands precision, successfully creating a cloud cake is an immensely satisfying achievement for any home baker.

Essential Tools and Equipment

To set yourself up for success, having the correct tools readily available is a great help. You will not need a professional-grade kitchen, but the following items will certainly make the process run more smoothly. Before we start, let’s assemble our equipment:

• An 8-inch (20cm) round cake tin that is at least 3 inches (7.5cm) deep.
• A stand mixer or a reliable electric hand mixer (this is vital for the meringue).
• Parchment paper to line the cake tin.
• A few large mixing bowls.
• A flexible silicone spatula.
• A fine-mesh sieve to ensure your flour is free of lumps.
• A large roasting tin, bigger than your cake tin, to create the water bath.
• A kettle for boiling the water for the bain-marie.

Ingredients for Your Cloud Cake

The quality of your ingredients truly makes a difference in this delicate cake. We suggest using full-fat products to achieve the best possible flavour and texture. Please ensure your eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature, as this helps them to combine into a smooth mixture.

• For the Cream Cheese Batter:
  • 250g (8.8 oz) full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 6 large egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 60g (1/2 cup) plain flour
  • 20g (2.5 tbsp) cornflour
  • 60ml (1/4 cup) whole milk
  • 60g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • A pinch of salt
• For the Meringue:
  • 6 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 130g (2/3 cup) caster sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions: Baking Your Heavenly Light Cloud Cake

For a flawless result, follow these steps with care. The secret to a perfect cloud cake is a combination of good technique and patience, so let us take our time and savour the creative process.

1. Preparation is Paramount: To begin, preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F/Gas Mark 3). Grease your 8-inch cake tin well and line the base and sides with parchment paper. Ensure the paper for the sides extends about 2 inches above the rim of the tin; this will support the cake as it rises. Wrap the outside of the cake tin securely with two or three layers of heavy-duty aluminium foil to stop any water from getting inside during baking.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Base: In a medium-sized, heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of gently simmering water (a bain-marie), melt the cream cheese, butter, and milk together. Stir constantly with a whisk until the mixture becomes completely smooth and silky. Take it off the heat and let it cool for several minutes.
3. Incorporate the Yolk Mixture: When the cream cheese base has cooled a little (it should feel warm, not hot), whisk in the egg yolks one by one until they are fully blended. Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Sift the plain flour, cornflour, and salt directly over the bowl and whisk until you achieve a smooth, glossy batter.
4. Whip the Meringue to Perfection: In a separate, spotlessly clean large bowl, use an electric mixer on a medium speed to beat the egg whites until they start to look foamy. Begin to add the caster sugar gradually, one tablespoon at a time, continuing to beat as you go. After all the sugar has been added, turn the speed up to high and whip until the meringue forms stiff, shiny peaks. This is the most vital stage for a perfect meringue. A good test is to turn the whisk upside down; the peak should hold its shape firmly without collapsing. For a more detailed look at this method, mastering meringue is a brilliant skill for any baker to acquire.
5. Gently Fold Everything Together: Add about a third of your finished meringue to the cream cheese batter and fold it in with a spatula. This initial step helps to lighten the batter. Next, carefully fold in the rest of the meringue in two more batches. Use a “cutting and folding” motion, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl so everything is well combined, but be very gentle so you do not knock out the air you just incorporated. The finished batter should look light and voluminous.
6. Bake in a Water Bath: Pour the batter into your prepared tin and tap it gently on the worktop a few times to help release any large air pockets. Set the cake tin inside the larger roasting tin. Carefully pour boiling water from your kettle into the roasting tin, so that the water level comes about halfway up the sides of the cake tin. Bake for 20 minutes at 160°C (320°F), then lower the oven temperature to 140°C (285°F) and continue to bake for another 60 minutes, or until a skewer pushed into the centre comes out clean. The top should be a lovely golden brown, and the cake should have a gentle wobble.
7. Allow it to Cool Down Slowly: Switch off the oven but leave the cake inside with the door propped slightly ajar for 30 minutes. This gradual cooling is essential to stop the cake from sinking or cracking. After this time, take the cake out of the water bath and the tin, peel away the parchment paper, and leave it to cool completely on a wire rack.

Visual Guide: Watch How It’s Done

Sometimes, a visual demonstration makes all the difference! Watching a video can help clarify more complex techniques, such as how to fold the meringue correctly. We have found this fantastic, beginner-friendly video that demonstrates the method for making a very similar Japanese souffle cheesecake. It should give you the confidence you need to create your own Heavenly Light Cloud Cake.

Our Top Tips for a Flawless Cloud Cake

Through our own baking trials, we have discovered a few tricks that can make a huge impact. Keep these pointers in mind for guaranteed success.

• Room Temperature is a Must: Cold cream cheese can lead to a lumpy batter, while cold egg whites will not whip up to their maximum volume. Be sure to allow them to sit on the worktop for at least an hour before you begin.
• Avoid Overmixing the Batter: As soon as you start combining the meringue with the yolk base, your main aim is to preserve as much air as possible. Fold gently and stop as soon as the mixture is streak-free. Overmixing will deflate the meringue and result in a dense cake.
• The Water Bath is Essential: Do not be tempted to skip the bain-marie. It creates a moist, gentle heat that is crucial for the cake’s signature texture and stops it from becoming dry or cracked.
• Patience is Key (Especially When Cooling): A sudden change in temperature from a hot oven to a cool room is the primary reason why cakes shrink and collapse. The slow cooling period inside the switched-off oven is your best defence against a sunken cake.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

The charm of this Heavenly Light Cloud Cake is rooted in its simplicity. It requires very little embellishment. We enjoy serving it with a light dusting of icing sugar, which beautifully accentuates its perfect, golden surface. For an extra touch of indulgence, a side of fresh berries—raspberries or strawberries are a wonderful choice—and a spoonful of softly whipped cream is simply divine.

To store your cake, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Its texture will alter slightly when chilled, becoming a little denser and creamier, but it remains just as delicious! For another kind of sweet indulgence, why not give our Blueberry Heaven Cookies The Definitive Recipe For Soft Chewy Perfection a try next?

Frequently Asked Questions about Heavenly Light Cloud Cake

Why did my cloud cake develop cracks on top?

A cracked surface is typically caused by one of two issues: either the oven temperature was too high, or the cake cooled down too rapidly. Check that your oven temperature is accurate and be sure to follow the slow cooling instructions to avoid this.

Why is my cake dense instead of fluffy?

A dense cake is almost always due to a deflated batter. This can occur if your meringue was not whipped to stiff peaks, or if you were too forceful when folding the meringue into the cream cheese mixture. Always remember to be gentle!

Can I make this Heavenly Light Cloud Cake gluten-free?

You could certainly try substituting the plain flour and cornflour with a good-quality, gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum. The final texture might be slightly altered, but it should still result in a delightful cake. We suggest experimenting to find what works best with your chosen brand of flour.

What is the difference between a cloud cake and a standard cheesecake?

The key differences are found in the texture, the ingredients, and the baking method. A standard cheesecake is dense, rich, and creamy, relying heavily on cream cheese and usually featuring a biscuit base. A cloud cake is a type of souffle which uses whipped egg whites for lift, creating a light, airy, and spongy texture. It is baked in a water bath to develop this unique consistency. For an even simpler version of this style of cake, you can also have a look at our basic Cloud Cake Recipe.

Is it possible to add other flavours to the cake?

Of course! This recipe can be easily adapted. For a chocolate variety, sift in two tablespoons of high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder along with the flour. For a matcha twist, add one tablespoon of culinary-grade matcha powder. You could also try replacing the vanilla extract with almond or orange extract for a different flavour profile.

Your Invitation to Bake a Slice of Heaven

Baking a Heavenly Light Cloud Cake is a journey that requires precision and care, but the final destination is a moment of pure delight. There is truly nothing like the feeling of pride when you take a perfectly risen, unblemished cake from the oven, or the joy of seeing friends and family enjoy their first blissful mouthful. It is so much more than a dessert; it is an experience to be shared.

So, what are you waiting for? It is time to gather your ingredients, set aside an afternoon, and prepare to bake a genuine slice of heaven. We cannot wait to hear all about your baking adventures. Do let us know how you get on and share your beautiful results in the comments below!