Best Angel Food Cake

Name: Best Angel Food Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 16 servings.
Ingredients: 1-1/4 cups egg whites (about 9 large); 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided; 1 cup cake flour; 1-1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Optional: whipped cream and fresh berries

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. + standing Bake: 35 min. + cooling YIELD: 16 servings.

For our daughter's wedding, a friend made this lovely, airy angel food cake from a recipe she's used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I've found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups egg whites (about 9 large)
1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 cup cake flour
1-1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional: whipped cream and fresh berries

Directions

1. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Sift 1/2 cup sugar and flour together twice; set aside.
2. Place oven rack in the lowest position. Preheat oven to 350°. Add cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time.
3. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake until lightly browned and entire top appears dry, 35-40 minutes. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour.
4. Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate. If desired, serve with whipped cream and fresh berries.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 115 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 68mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch.