Angel food cake Facts for Kids

Angel Cake is also the name of a doll in the Strawberry Shortcake series.

An angel food cake, with white frosting

Angel food cake is a super light and fluffy cake that became popular in the United States in the 1800s. It's also called angel cake. People say it's "food for the angels" because it's so airy!

To make this cake, you need to whip egg whites until they are stiff and foamy. These whipped egg whites are then gently mixed with other ingredients. This special way of mixing helps the cake rise and become very light. Using soft flour, like cake flour, also helps give angel food cake its unique, airy feel and taste.

When you cut angel food cake, it's best to use a special knife with a wavy edge, called a serrated knife. A regular, smooth knife might squish the cake instead of slicing it cleanly. Some chefs, like Alton Brown, even add yummy smelling spices to their angel food cakes.

What is Angel Food Cake?
- How to Cut and Bake Angel Food Cake
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What is Angel Food Cake?

Angel food cake is known for being very light and airy. This is because it uses lots of whipped egg whites. A special ingredient called cream of tartar is often added to the egg whites. This helps them stay strong and fluffy. After whipping, the other ingredients are carefully folded in.

For the cake to be super light, it's best to use flour made from soft wheat. This kind of flour, often called cake flour, helps create the cake's delicate texture. Angel food cake doesn't use any butter or oil, which also makes it very light and fat-free.

How to Cut and Bake Angel Food Cake

Cutting angel food cake needs a bit of care. Instead of a regular knife, you should use a serrated knife (one with a wavy edge). You can also use forks, special cutters, or even a strong thread to slice it without squishing it.

Angel food cake is usually baked in a special pan called a tube pan. This pan is tall and round, with a hollow tube in the middle. The tube helps the cake rise higher because the batter can cling to all sides of the pan. Unlike other cakes, you should not grease an angel food cake pan. This lets the cake "climb" up the sides as it bakes, helping it get tall and fluffy.

After baking, the pan is usually turned upside down while the cake cools. This stops the cake from sinking in the middle. Angel food cake is sometimes covered with frosting. More often, it's served with a sweet fruit sauce drizzled over it, or a simple sugary glaze.