Description
Eggnog magic cake brings holiday cheer with its delightful layers of creamy custard and light sponge. Magical separation during baking creates three distinct textures that’ll make your Christmas dessert table sparkle with festive elegance.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups eggnog, lukewarm
- 4 eggs, room temperature, separated
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar (plus more for dusting)
- 3 tablespoons dark rum (or additional eggnog)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing and Seasoning:
- 1/8 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- Whole nutmeg (for grating on top) or ground nutmeg for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by preheating the oven to 325°F and coating an 8×8-inch pan with butter to prevent sticking.
- Gently warm the eggnog in short microwave intervals until it reaches a lukewarm temperature, ensuring even heating.
- Create a stable egg white mixture by combining room temperature egg whites with vinegar, then whipping at high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form that hold their shape.
- In a separate mixing bowl, transform egg yolks and confectioners’ sugar into a pale yellow cream by beating thoroughly, then gradually incorporate melted butter while mixing at low speed.
- Slowly introduce flour into the yolk mixture, blending carefully to maintain a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Enhance the liquid base by combining rum (or additional eggnog) and vanilla with the warmed eggnog, then gradually streaming this mixture into the batter while mixing at low speed.
- Delicately fold egg whites into the liquid batter in quarter portions, maintaining a slightly lumpy texture that promises a magical cake structure.
- Transfer the gossamer-like batter into the prepared pan, then bake for 50-55 minutes until the surface turns a tempting golden hue with a subtle jiggle indicating perfect doneness.
- Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack for approximately 3 hours, or expedite cooling by refrigerating for an hour after initial resting.
- Finish the dessert by dusting the top with a delicate layer of confectioners’ sugar and a whisper of freshly grated nutmeg before serving.
Notes
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature for optimal whipping and smooth batter consistency.
- Use a clean, dry bowl when whipping egg whites to achieve perfect stiff peaks.
- The extremely liquid batter is intentional and creates a unique layered texture during baking.
- Gentle folding of egg whites preserves the delicate air bubbles that contribute to the cake’s magical texture.
- High-altitude bakers might need to adjust ingredients slightly to maintain the cake’s delicate structure.
- Patience during cooling is crucial; allowing the cake to rest helps develop its distinctive creamy layers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Drinks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg