Winter Spice Vanilla Cloud (Print Version)

An airy, spiced vanilla dessert blending almond flour and warm spices for a cozy delight.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup almond flour
02 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
03 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
05 - 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
06 - 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
07 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 4 large eggs, separated
09 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
10 - 1/4 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened almond milk)
11 - 2 tablespoons neutral oil (such as sunflower or canola)
12 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

→ Topping

13 - 1 cup heavy cream
14 - 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
15 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - Pinch ground cinnamon (optional, for dusting)

# Step-by-step Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper; avoid greasing the sides.
02 - Whisk together almond flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat egg yolks with half of the sugar until pale and thick. Incorporate milk, oil, and vanilla extract.
04 - Gently fold dry ingredients into the egg yolk mixture until just combined.
05 - Whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks develop.
06 - Fold one-third of the egg whites into the batter to lighten it, then gently fold in the remaining whites until homogeneous.
07 - Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the surface, and tap to release air bubbles. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges, invert onto a wire rack, and cool completely.
09 - Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
10 - Spread whipped cream over the cooled cake. Optionally dust with ground cinnamon. Slice and serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's naturally gluten-free, so you can serve it to everyone without worry or compromise on flavor
  • The texture is impossibly airy and cloud-like, yet sturdy enough to hold up to a generous dollop of cream
  • Those warming winter spices create a comforting embrace without feeling heavy or overly sweet
  • You can make it dairy-free with simple swaps, making it perfect for any gathering
02 -
  • Room temperature eggs are absolutely essential—they whip up into larger, more stable clouds. Cold eggs from the fridge simply won't perform the same magic
  • Don't grease those pan sides. I learned this the hard way when my first attempt slumped because the batter had nothing to hold onto as it rose. The ungreased sides are what create the height
  • The separation between the cloud-like top and the softer mousse-like layer underneath is intentional and beautiful. This cake is supposed to have that contrast. It's not a mistake—it's the point
  • Fresh spices make an enormous difference. If your cinnamon or nutmeg has been sitting in the cabinet for years, it's time to refresh them. Stale spices will make the cake taste flat and one-dimensional
03 -
  • If your cake cracks slightly on top during baking, don't worry—this is completely normal and part of the cake's charm. The whipped cream topping will cover it beautifully
  • The secret to perfect egg whites is making sure your bowl and beaters are absolutely grease-free. Even a tiny bit of oil will prevent them from whipping properly
  • If you're nervous about folding, go slowly. Deflating the egg whites is recoverable if you're careful and gentle with each fold

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