Vanilla Bean Angel Food Cake

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 45 min. + cooling

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
Angel food cake is everyone’s favorite blank slate for making awesome desserts. Serve it with a simple glaze or pile on fresh fruit, chocolate sauce or nutty sprinkles. —Leah Rekau, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Vanilla Bean Angel Food Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 12 large egg whites (about 1-2/3 cups)
  • 1 cup cake flour
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
  • 1 vanilla bean (see Editor's Note) or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • GLAZE:
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

  1. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°. In a small bowl, mix flour and 3/4 cup sugar until blended.
  3. Add seeds from vanilla bean (or extract if using), cream of tartar and salt to egg whites. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until soft glossy peaks form. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time.
  4. Gently transfer batter to an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on lowest oven rack until top springs back when lightly touched, 45-55 minutes. Immediately invert pan; cool completely in pan, about 1-1/2 hours.
  5. Run a knife around sides and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate.
  6. For glaze, in a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, seeds from vanilla bean (or extract if using) and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Spread glaze over cake, allowing some to drip down sides.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 177 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 80mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.