Never cook sponge cake this way: the main mistakes that prevent the base from rising are named

A sponge cake seems like an easy dish, but even experienced housewives can run into problems. It often turns out to be too dense, does not rise, or remains soggy inside. The main reason for this is common mistakes that can be easily avoided. It is important to prepare the ingredients correctly, stir the batter right and not violate the temperature regime during baking.

The FoodOboz editorial team shares the reasons for a bad sponge cake. There are several important points.

The main mistakes that prevent a sponge cake from rising

Cold ingredients

One of the most common mistakes is using eggs and milk straight from the fridge. Cold eggs do not whip well, and the batter turns out heavy and does not gain the desired volume. All ingredients used should be at room temperature, so take them out of the fridge in advance.

Stirring the batter too much

When preparing the base, you often want to make it perfectly smooth, but this can ruin the dish. Intensive mixing develops gluten in flour, which makes the sponge cake dense and rubbery. It is better to mix the ingredients with a spatula in smooth movements.

Incorrect oven temperature

Baking a sponge cake at too low or high a temperature can cause it to settle or rise unevenly. The optimal temperature is 170-180°C. Also, do not open the oven earlier than 30 minutes after the start of baking, otherwise the sponge cake may fall due to a sudden change in temperature.

Unprepared baking dish

If the baking dish is not properly prepared, the sponge cake may stick or rise poorly. The best option is to cover the bottom of the baking dish with parchment and leave the sides dry. This way, the sponge cake will rise evenly without losing its structure.

Removing the mold immediately

Many people take the sponge cake out of the mold immediately after baking, but this can cause it to fall. The best way is to leave it in the mold for 10-15 minutes and then carefully turn it out onto a wire rack, remove the mold and leave to cool it down.

How to make a sponge cake airy and tender:

• Use room temperature ingredients - take them out of the refrigerator in advance.
• Do not stir the batter for too long - mix gently with a spatula until smooth.
• Preheat the oven to 170-180°C and do not open it during baking.
• Prepare the mold properly - line the bottom with parchment without greasing the sides.
• Cool the sponge cake gradually so that it does not fall and remains fluffy.