Go Back

Raspberry Angel Food Cake

A light, fat-free angel food cake marbled with a tangy fresh raspberry swirl. An elegant, impressive dessert that's surprisingly simple to make.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Summer
Calories: 180

Ingredients
  

Raspberry Swirl
  • 6 oz fresh raspberries about 1 1/2 cups, plus extra for garnish
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
Angel Food Cake
  • 1 cup cake flour 120g, sifted
  • 1.5 cups superfine sugar 300g, divided
  • 12 large egg whites at room temperature (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1.5 tsp cream of tartar
  • 0.25 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp pure almond extract optional

Equipment

  • 10-inch tube pan (ungreased)
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Sifter
  • Rubber spatula
  • Fine Mesh Sieve
  • Small saucepan

Method
 

  1. Make the raspberry swirl: In a small saucepan, cook raspberries, 3 tbsp sugar, water, and lemon juice over medium heat for 5-7 mins, mashing often, until thickened. Press through a fine sieve to remove seeds. Let cool completely.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure oven rack is in lower third. Do not grease a 10-inch tube pan.
  3. Sift cake flour and 3/4 cup (150g) of the superfine sugar together three times into a medium bowl. Set aside.
  4. In a clean stand mixer bowl, whip egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt on medium until foamy. Gradually add remaining 3/4 cup sugar. Add extracts. Whip on high to stiff, glossy peaks.
  5. Sift 1/4 of the flour mixture over meringue. Gently fold with a spatula. Repeat in three more additions until just combined.
  6. Transfer 1/3 of batter to a separate bowl. Drizzle with half the raspberry puree; fold 2-3 times for swirl. Return to main bowl. Top with remaining puree. Fold entire batter 4-5 times for dramatic streaks.
  7. Gently spoon batter into ungreased tube pan. Smooth top. Run a knife through once to marbleize. Tap pan once on counter.
  8. Bake for 35-40 mins, until top is golden and springs back. Immediately invert pan onto its legs or a bottle. Cool completely upside-down, 2-3 hours.
  9. Run a thin knife around edges and center tube. Invert onto a plate to release cake. Slice with a serrated knife and serve.

Notes

Ensure all tools are completely grease-free for best egg white volume. Cooled puree is essential to prevent deflating the batter. Cooling upside-down is non-negotiable for structure. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.