Classic Sponge Torte Recipes

TRADITIONAL SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Sift flour and salt; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat yolks until slightly thickened. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating until thick and lemon-colored. Blend in water and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to yolk mixture; mix well. , In another bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Fold a fourth of egg whites into the batter, then fold in remaining whites., Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on the lowest oven rack until cake springs back when lightly touched, 55-60 minutes. Immediately invert the pan; cool completely. , Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate. If desired, serve with ice cream topping.

CLASSIC SPONGE TORTE

Steps:

• Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line two greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper; grease and flour the waxed paper. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks for 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup sugar; beat for 3 minutes or until mixture is thick and lemon-colored and falls in a ribbon from beaters. Beat in vanilla., In another large bowl and with clean beaters, beat egg whites and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Fold flour into egg yolk a third at a time. Stir in a third of the whites. Fold in remaining whites., Spread batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the butter, confectioners' sugar, chocolate, milk and vanilla until smooth. In a chilled small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold into chocolate mixture., To assemble, split each cake into two horizontal layers. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with grated chocolate if desired. Store in the refrigerator.

PINEAPPLE SPONGE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Coarsely chop the butter. Place in a large mixing bowl with the sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat together until pale and fluffy.
• Add the whole egg and the egg yolks and beat until thoroughly mixed. Beat in the rum.
• Sift the flour and baking powder into the mixture. Add the salt and mix thoroughly, using a wooden spoon or spatula.
• Grease a 10- to 11-inch baking pan with a removable bottom and sides about one-and-a-half to two inches high. Spread the batter over the bottom as evenly as possible. Set aside.
• Peel the pineapple. Cut it in half and remove the core. Cut in half again horizontally and peel the skin, removing any ''eyes.'' Slice the pineapple in quarter-inch pieces.
• Place pieces on top of the batter, leaving an inch around the rim. Bake 50-60 minutes, or till a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

HUNGARIAN SPONGE CAKE (PISKOTA TORTA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325F.
• Beat egg yolks until light yellow medium mixing bowl.
• Add sugar, lemon juice (or vanilla), and mix until thick.
• Add baking powder and flour gradually and mix well.
• In a clean bowl beat egg whites and salt until very stiff.
• Carefully fold egg whites into the yolk mixture.
• Grease and flour two 9" cake pans and pour batter evenly into them.
• Bake for one hour, remove from pans, and cool on cooling racks.