Fluffy yellow cake

Sometimes simplicity is the best when served in the form of a humble yellow cake. This cake is one modest recipe that can be played up or down dependent on how you wish to serve it. For a simple accompaniment to afternoon tea, bake in a loaf tin and cut slices straight to go on the side of the tea and for a more indulgent affair coat the cake in a generous layer of chocolate ganache. The cake can also be filled with fresh whipped cream and summer fruits and topped with more whipped cream to make for a delicious fruit cake. So, here is my go to recipe. It may sound a bit complicated but trust me, line all ingredients and utensils up and there should be no fuss at all.

Ingredients -

2 cups plain flour

1/4th teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2  teaspoon baking soda

2 tsp vanilla

3 egg whites

4 egg yolks

3/4th cup milk

1/4th cup curd / plain yogurt

1 and 1/2 cup finely powdered sugar (if you are going to top with ganache or buttercream, reduce sugar to 1 and 1/4th cup, to balance out the sweetness)

1 cup butter 

Method -

Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees

In a mixing bowl, mix together, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

Mix milk and yogurt in a jar and keep ready.Beat egg whites, with a clean hand blender until it forms soft peaks and keep aside

Beat eggs yolks lightly lightly and keep aside

In another mixing bowl, beat sugar, and butter until peaks form.  Now we are going to mix the flour mix (dry) and the mix-yogurt mix (wet) to the butter mixture alternatively till all the ingredients are incorporated.Once this is done, add 2 generous teaspoons of vanilla and mix lightly

Gently add the fluffy egg whites and fold in. At this point, do not use electric blender. Use a spatula and fold in until just incorporated.Pour the mixture into lined baking tins.

This batter is enough for 2 x 8 inch pans or 1 loaf tin and small 6 inch cake

Bake for 25-35 mins depending on tin and oven used

Remove when toothpick inserted comes out clean

In case, the cake starts browning on top, but is not done yet, cover with foil paper and move to a lower shelf in the oven, continue baking for 5-7 mins, checking intermittently