Lime Angel Food Cake

How My Sister-in-Law Taught Me to Make Angel Food Cake

When my family came to visit, we spent an afternoon making gelato and ice cream. We had plenty of egg whites left over, so my sister-in-law suggested we make a lime angel food cake. She is the angel food cake expert in the family, so I happily stepped aside and took notes. We made a lime version to please my husband Josh, who loves anything citrus. I had made lemon angel food cupcakes before, but never a full cake. I am glad she gave me a lesson because now I make this cake all the time.

Why You’ll Love This Lime Angel Food Cake

• The bright lime flavor makes it a refreshing light dessert, great for warm weather.
• It uses only egg whites, so it is low in fat and cholesterol.
• No cream of tartar needed, the lime juice does the job of stabilizing the egg whites.

Key Ingredients for a Citrus Angel Food Cake

• Egg whites: Use fresh egg whites at room temperature for the best volume. You can separate them yourself or use carton egg whites, but fresh gives a better texture.
• Lime zest and juice: Fresh lime is important. Bottled juice won’t give the same bright flavor, and the zest adds essential oils. The lime juice also replaces cream of tartar to stabilize the whites, so you don’t need to add any other stabilizer.
• Powdered sugar: Also called confectioners’ sugar. It dissolves more easily than granulated sugar and helps create a tender crumb. Do not substitute with granulated sugar.

Kitchen Tools for Making Angel Food Cake

• A 10-inch angel food cake pan (ungreased), the tube pan is essential for the cake to climb and cool upside down.
• A stand mixer or hand mixer with a whisk attachment, beating egg whites to soft peaks takes time and a mixer is much easier.
• A fine-mesh sieve for sifting the flour three times and for adding flour to the batter.

Tips for a Light and Fluffy Lime Angel Food Cake

The most important step is beating the egg whites to soft peaks. This took about 10 minutes with a stand mixer. If you overbeat, the cake can turn out dry. Also, sift the flour three times before adding it to the batter. That extra air makes the cake lighter.

Expert Tips for a Perfect Angel Food Cake

When folding the flour into the egg whites, use a rubber spatula and cut through the center, then sweep around the side. Turn the bowl as you go. Stop as soon as the flour disappears. Overmixing will deflate the batter. After baking, cool the cake upside down. This prevents the cake from collapsing under its own weight. If your pan has feet, just invert it. Otherwise, set it on the neck of a bottle or a cooling rack. Let it cool completely before removing from the pan.

Lime Angel Food Cake Variations to Try

If you want to change the citrus, swap the lime for lemon or orange. Use the same amount of zest and juice. For a tropical twist, add 1/2 cup of toasted coconut flakes to the batter before folding. You can also fold in 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries or raspberries for a fruity version. Just be gentle so the berries don’t break. If you prefer a more intense lime flavor, add an extra teaspoon of zest.

How to Serve This Light Citrus Cake

This cake is wonderful on its own, but a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream takes it over the top. Fresh berries, especially raspberries or blueberries, add a nice tart contrast. For a more decadent dessert, drizzle a simple lime glaze over the top. You can also serve it with a scoop of coconut sorbet or vanilla ice cream.

How to Store Leftover Angel Food Cake

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to 5 days. The cake may dry out slightly in the fridge, so bring it to room temperature before serving. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a cake keeper.

Can You Freeze Lime Angel Food Cake?

Yes, you can freeze this cake. Wrap the whole cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours. The texture will be slightly softer after freezing, but it still tastes great.

Best Way to Reheat Angel Food Cake

Angel food cake is best served at room temperature. If you have refrigerated it, let slices sit out for 15-20 minutes before serving. Reheating in the microwave or oven can dry out the cake quickly. If you really want it warm, microwave a single slice for about 10 seconds, but watch it closely.

Lime Angel Food Cake FAQs