Pão de Ló – Portuguese Sponge Cake

Pão de Ló – “Sponge Cake”  Just as the translation is easy, so is the recipe. This cake is so easy to make that you’ll find yourself making it again and again. The recipe uses no oil, butter or fats so it’s virtually fat free!

This classic dessert is so versatile that you can make it for all the holidays, special occasions, bring it to a pot luck diner as a dessert, or just make one when you’re craving a simple cake.  Enjoy!….. and…..Happy Holidays!

This is a Christmas photo of the classic – Portuguese – Pao de Lo which I give as home made Christmas gifts for my family and friends.

*Please note: There is Silk – Poinsettia in the center

(Do not use real Poinsettias with food items)

Pao de lo recipe:

You will need an extra large bundt pan to cook the cake. If you don’t have an extra large pan be sure to use parchment paper all around so the cake doesn’t over spill.

Here’s our youtube video cooking the recipe.

Please subscribe and like our page for the latest video postings!

 

Ingredients:

10 brown eggs (room temp)

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 cups sifted flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp (grated lemon peel – Optional)

Preparations:

Make sure your eggs are room temp or place them in a bowl of warm water for about 15 minutes.

In a large bowl beat the eggs until foamy. Add sugar and beat for at least 20 minutes until batter becomes very thick,  stiff peaks. (Add lemon at this point if desired)

Note: If using a kitchenaid mixer, mix for only 10-15 minutes until stiff peaks form.

While the sugar and eggs are beating, mix flour, salt and baking powder in a small bowl.

When the batter is ready, add the flour mixture very slowly 1/4 cup at a time on low speed or fold in with a spatula. 

This should only take about 3-5 minutes. (Don’t over beat, this is important) 

Grease a large tube pan. (Aluminum works best). If your pan is smaller, line the top few inches of the cake pan with parchment paper in case the batter rises over the top. Poor batter into the pan and shake slightly to spread evenly. 

Cook at 350 degrees F. for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes. Invert the cake pan right side up onto a serving dish.

(Note:  This cake freezes well so you can make it ahead of time. Slice into pieces for individual servings or freeze the whole cake. Make sure it’s completely cooled, wrap in saran wrap and heavy foil or in Freezer bags.)

Pao de Lo – Easter Decoration