Heavenly Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake Recipe

Heavenly Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake Recipe For All

Baking a delightful gluten-free angel food cake can turn an ordinary afternoon into a sweet celebration of culinary creativity.

This ethereal dessert with its cloud-like texture promises to dance on your taste buds without heavy wheat ingredients.

Delicate and light, the cake rises beautifully with simple techniques that anyone can master.

Whipped egg whites create a magical foundation that gives this treat its signature airy structure.

Each slice promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience that proves gluten-free baking doesn’t mean compromising on flavor or texture.

Whisked with precision and love, this recipe delivers a dessert that will impress even the most discerning palates.

Get ready to bake a showstopping gluten-free treat that will become your new favorite go-to dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 106 kcal

Servings: 13

Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake Ingredient List

For Dry Ingredients:
  • Cornstarch: Adds lightness and helps create a delicate, tender crumb in gluten-free baking.
  • Gluten-Free Flour: Provides structure and replaces traditional wheat flour for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the meringue, creating a glossy texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds extra sweetness and contributes to the cake's smooth, fine consistency.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Egg Whites: Create the signature airy, fluffy texture of angel food cake.
  • Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes egg whites and helps achieve perfect meringue peaks.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting flavor that complements the cake's delicate nature.
  • Almond Extract: Provides a subtle, nutty undertone that elevates the cake's taste profile.
For Preparation:
  • Butter Knife: Used to remove air bubbles and create a smooth cake surface.
  • Serrated Knife: Ensures clean, precise slicing without compressing the delicate cake.

Tools That Help with Gluten-Free Cake Perfection

  • Electric mixer: Essential for whipping egg whites to perfect meringue consistency.
  • Angel food cake pan (tube pan): 10-inch size with removable bottom for easy cake removal.
  • Large mixing bowl: Needed for beating egg whites and creating meringue.
  • Small mixing bowl: Used for combining cornstarch and gluten-free flour.
  • Spatula: Helps smooth batter in the pan and fold ingredients gently.
  • Butter knife: Used for creating circular motion in batter before baking.
  • Serrated knife: Perfect for clean cake slicing without crushing the delicate texture.
  • Heatproof funnel or bottle: Used for cooling cake upside down to maintain volume.
  • Measuring cups: Precise measurement of dry and wet ingredients.

How to Make Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake

  • Preparation Environment

Set up your kitchen workspace with all necessary tools and create a calm, organized baking atmosphere.

  • Egg White Transformation

Whip egg whites and cream of tartar into a fluffy, cloud-like meringue that becomes glossy and forms soft peaks.

  • Sugar Symphony

Gradually introduce sugar while continuing to beat the meringue, creating a smooth and elegant texture.

  • Flour Integration

Gently fold gluten-free flour mixture into the delicate meringue, maintaining the airiness of the batter.

  • Pan Performance

Transfer the light batter into an angel food cake pan, creating gentle swirls to ensure even distribution.

  • Baking Magic

Bake the cake until it develops a golden complexion and springs back with a gentle touch.

  • Cooling Technique

Invert the pan immediately after baking, allowing the cake to cool completely and maintain its ethereal height.

  • Serving Elegance

Carefully release the cake from the pan, slice with a serrated knife, and present as a delicate gluten-free dessert.

Baking Tricks for Light Gluten-Free Texture

  • Ensure absolutely zero yolk contamination when separating eggs, as even a tiny bit of fat can prevent whites from achieving proper volume.
  • Let egg whites sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before beating to maximize volume and create fluffier, lighter meringue.
  • Never grease the angel food cake pan, as a clean surface allows the delicate batter to climb and rise properly during baking.
  • Use a gentle folding motion with a rubber spatula when incorporating flour mixture to maintain the beautiful air bubbles created during whipping.
  • Experiment with different extract combinations like orange, lemon, or lavender to create unique flavor profiles while keeping the cake gluten-free and light.

Presenting Angel Food Cake Elegantly

  • Fruity Flavor Explosion: Top each slice with a vibrant mix of fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for a burst of natural sweetness and color.
  • Creamy Indulgence Pairing: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to complement the light, airy texture of the gluten-free angel food cake.
  • Decadent Drizzle Delight: Enhance the cake with a light drizzle of lemon glaze or chocolate sauce, adding an extra layer of flavor that perfectly balances the cake's delicate nature.
  • Breakfast-Brunch Celebration: Transform the cake into a stunning morning treat by adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar and serving alongside fresh fruit compote or a morning coffee.

How to Store Gluten-Free Cake Without Drying

  • Cake Freshness Guardian: Keep your gluten-free angel food cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum softness and flavor retention.
  • Chilled Delight Strategy: Refrigerate the cake for extended enjoyment, wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain its delicate texture for 5-7 days.
  • Freezing Magic Method: Slice the cake before freezing, placing parchment paper between layers in a sealed freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 months, perfect for future sweet cravings.
  • Room Temperature Charm: Allow refrigerated or frozen cake to reach room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving, restoring its original light and airy characteristics for the most delightful eating experience.
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Heavenly Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake Recipe

Heavenly Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Light-as-air gluten-free angel food cake delivers heavenly sweetness without wheat flour. Delicate crumb and cloud-like texture welcome dessert enthusiasts wanting a guilt-free indulgence you can savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 large egg whites (cold)
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup (90 g) all-purpose gluten-free flour with xanthan gum (Pillsbury gluten-free)
  • ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
  • 1 ½ tsps cream of tartar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsps pure vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp pure almond extract

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Position the oven rack at the lowest setting and preheat to 350°F, ensuring uniform heat distribution for optimal baking conditions.
  2. Flour Blend: Meticulously whisk cornstarch and gluten-free flour in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient base.
  3. Meringue Formation: Deploy an electric mixer to whip egg whites and cream of tartar, transforming them into a light, voluminous foam with increasing velocity.
  4. Sugar Integration: Gradually incorporate granulated and powdered sugars while elevating mixer speed, simultaneously introducing vanilla and almond extracts with a salt pinch until the meringue develops glossy, soft peaks.
  5. Batter Assembly: Gently disperse the flour mixture into the meringue, folding with precision and mixing at medium speed to ensure complete ingredient harmonization.
  6. Pan Preparation: Carefully pour the ethereal batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan, smoothing the surface and using a butter knife to eliminate potential air bubbles.
  7. Baking Process: Roast for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until the surface achieves a golden complexion and responds with subtle resilience when touched.
  8. Cooling Technique: Immediately invert the pan onto a heatproof funnel, allowing comprehensive cooling for two hours to preserve the cake’s delicate architectural structure.
  9. Serving Presentation: Delicately separate cake edges with a thin knife, gracefully transfer to a serving platter, and slice using a serrated knife to maintain its airy texture.

Notes

  • Whip with Precision: Egg whites must reach soft, glossy peaks without overbeating, which can deflate the cake’s signature airy texture.
  • Flour Fusion Technique: Sprinkle flour mixture gradually and fold gently to prevent dense, heavy cake and maintain delicate structure.
  • Cooling Crucial Step: Inverting pan immediately after baking prevents cake from collapsing and ensures maximum volume and lightness.
  • Equipment Essentials: Use an ungreased tube pan and clean, grease-free utensils to help egg whites achieve maximum volume and stability.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 106
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 37 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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