Simple and easy one-bowl sponge cake recipe

Sponge cake

Blanche Clark

Posted May 05, 2022


Novice cooks, children and those who despair over their lack of culinary skills can whip up this easy sponge cake for any special occasion or afternoon tea.

That special day is looming, and you haven’t bought a gift? How can you redeem the situation in a quick and easy way? This one-bowl sponge cake could be the answer.

All you need to do is grease a couple of baking tins, mix two of the dry ingredients in a bowl, add the wet ingredients, and then gently fold in the baking powder. Job done.

Bake the resulting mixture in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, and you’ll have two cakes ready to sandwich together with jam and cream.

The team at Le Petit Gâteau patisserie say this sponge cake recipe is easy to make at home, and perfect for kids to have a crack at. You can sprinkle the finished sponge with icing sugar and berries or cover it with chocolate icing and grated mint chocolate. 

If you want something more elaborate for a special occasion, then explore the delectable selection of exquisite-looking cakes at Le Petit Gâteau.

Every year the high-end patisserie in Little Collins Street creates new cakes for special occasions, such as Mother’s Day and Christmas. The 2022 Mother’s Day cake incorporated a deliciously tart lemon curd, lovely poached rhubarb and raspberry compote, and a white chocolate mousse with a hint of rose water.

 

Special cake

 Le Petit Gâteau create exquisite cakes for special occasions, such as Mother's Day. Photo: Matt Harvey


Le Petit Gâteau's tips for a light sponge

 

Sift the flour

This helps to get rid of any foreign particles and breaks up any lumps.

Eggs at room temperature

Make sure the eggs are room temperature before making the sponge. This creates better aeration.

Don't overmix batter

If you beat the batter too hard it will lose its aeration, and the sponge may go flat and dense.

Keep it moist

Place a bowl of water on the bottom rack in the oven. This will provide the moisture while baking and keep the sponge moist.

Preheat oven

Make sure the oven has reached the desired temperature before putting the sponge in the oven. This helps it rise evenly.

Don't open oven door prematurely

Do not open the oven door for at least the first 10-15 minutes. This will let the cold air inside and the sponge will sink.

Flour and eggs in bowl

Crack eggs directly into bowl with flour and sugar. Photo: Unsplash


Easy one-bowl sponge cake recipe

Serves

6-8

Time to make

45 minutes

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

  •  1½ cups flour, sieved
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • 50g butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 2 tsp baking powder

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 190ºC. Grease two round 20cm sandwich tins with butter, and line the bases with baking paper.
  2. Place the flour and sugar into a large mixing bowl and combine well.
  3. Crack eggs straight into bowl, followed by melted butter and milk.
  4. Beat hard for 3 minutes until the mixture is pale and smooth.
  5. Gently fold in baking powder.
  6. Pour into prepared tins and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cakes spring back when lightly touched.
  7. Leave in tins for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.
  8. When cool, fill with jam and whipped cream. Top with chocolate icing or dust with icing sugar.