Pao De Lo
Indulge in the airy delight of Pão de Ló, a traditional Portuguese sponge cake celebrated for its simplicity and exquisite texture. Made with just six pantry staples—eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, butter, and parchment paper—this cake is a testament to the art of baking with minimal ingredients. Its hallmark lies in the delicate balance of stiffly whipped egg whites and creamy yolks, folded together to create a light, tender crumb. Zesty hints of lemon elevate its flavor, making each bite irresistibly fragrant. Perfectly golden and slightly crisp on the outside with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior, Pão de Ló is an elegant treat for any occasion. Whether dusted with powdered sugar or served plain alongside a warm cup of tea, this timeless dessert is sure to impress. Ready in under an hour, it's the ultimate go-to recipe for lovers of simple yet refined baked goods.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 200 grams granulated sugar
- 150 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for greasing the pan)
- 1 sheet parchment paper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Line a round springform cake pan (approximately 9 inches or 23 cm in diameter) with parchment paper and grease the sides with butter.
Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites into two large mixing bowls.
Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat the egg yolks with the granulated sugar until the mixture is pale, thick, and doubles in volume (about 5 minutes).
Gently fold the lemon zest into the egg yolk mixture.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. This means the whites should hold their shape and not fall over when the beater is lifted.
Sift the flour over the egg yolk mixture in two or three additions, folding it in gently with a spatula to maintain the airy texture. Avoid overmixing.
Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter in two or three additions. Be careful not to deflate the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then remove it from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
Serve the Pão de Ló plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1833 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 43.1 g | 55% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.6 g | 83% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1146 mg | 382% | |
| Sodium | 423 mg | 18% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 321.1 g | 117% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.4 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 200.4 g | ||
| Protein | 51.6 g | 103% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.2 mcg | 31% | |
| Calcium | 196 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 13.0 mg | 72% | |
| Potassium | 584 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
