Taiwanese Castella Cake Recipe

If you have a soft spot for light, fluffy desserts that almost melt in your mouth, then you are absolutely going to adore this Taiwanese Castella Cake. This charmingly airy sponge cake, with its delicate golden crust and tender crumb, is a true masterpiece from Taiwanese bakeries that has captured dessert lovers worldwide. It’s moist without being heavy, subtly sweet with a hint of vanilla, and so simple to make that you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe time and again to brighten up any afternoon or special occasion. Let me take you step-by-step through crafting your very own Taiwanese Castella Cake—a dessert guaranteed to become a favorite in your kitchen!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Creating the perfect Taiwanese Castella Cake means gathering just a handful of simple yet crucial ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in achieving that famous lightness and beautiful texture—whether it’s the richness of butter, the fluffiness from eggs, or the gentle sweetness from sugar. Here’s what you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the cake and ensures a tender crumb.
• Baking powder: Gives just enough lift to keep the cake airy without over-rising.
• Salt: Balances flavors and enhances the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture, making the cake beautifully soft.
• Whole milk: Blends with butter to give the batter a silky texture.
• Large eggs: The star ingredient for fluffiness and structure.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens without overpowering, helping achieve that delicate balance.
• Vanilla extract: Infuses the batter with a warm, inviting aroma.
• Powdered sugar (optional): Perfect for dusting to add a pretty finishing touch.

How to Make Taiwanese Castella Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to a mild 320°F (160°C), which is key to that slow, even baking that results in the cake’s characteristic golden top. Grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper—this will ensure your cake releases cleanly without any sticking troubles.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This blend forms the base that supports the cake’s airy structure while keeping it from collapsing. Set this aside for the moment as it waits to be folded in gently.

Step 3: Warm the Milk and Butter

Gently warm the milk and butter together over low heat just until the butter melts. This step is crucial to avoid shocking the eggs with cold liquids later and helps the cake stay tender. Once melted, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely fragrant note that makes the Taiwanese Castella Cake so comforting.

Step 4: Beat Eggs and Sugar Until Fluffy

In a large bowl, beat the 6 large eggs and granulated sugar until the mixture triples in volume and turns pale and thick—this is where the magic happens. This airy foam is the secret behind the cake’s famously light texture, so don’t rush this step.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients Gently

Start by folding the dry flour mixture into the beaten eggs carefully, maintaining as much air as possible. Then gradually add the warm milk and butter mixture, stirring gently to combine everything into a smooth, luscious batter.

Step 6: Bake with Patience

Pour your batter into the prepped pan and smooth the top evenly. Place it in your preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. The cake is ready when it turns a gorgeous golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before transferring it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve Taiwanese Castella Cake

Garnishes

A simple dusting of powdered sugar on top of your Taiwanese Castella Cake is a classic way to add a light finish and an inviting look. You can also get creative by drizzling a bit of honey or serving it with a dollop of whipped cream for an even more indulgent touch.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries, mangoes, or a handful of berries. A cup of green tea or black coffee on the side complements the subtle sweetness perfectly, turning your slice into a delightful afternoon snack.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not get creative and turn your Taiwanese Castella Cake into a layered dessert? Slice it horizontally and fill with whipped cream and fresh fruits, or lightly toast the slices before serving to add a unique texture contrast. It’s a versatile cake that invites fun presentation ideas!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Taiwanese Castella Cake covered at room temperature for up to two days to preserve its softness. Store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out, which can sometimes happen with sponge cakes.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen Taiwanese Castella Cake will maintain its flavor and texture for up to two months, perfect for batch baking ahead of time.

Reheating

To enjoy your Taiwanese Castella Cake after freezing, gently thaw the slices at room temperature. If you like a slightly warm treat, a brief 10-15 second zap in the microwave will revive the softness without drying out the cake.

FAQs

What makes Taiwanese Castella Cake different from regular sponge cake?

While similar to sponge cakes, Taiwanese Castella Cake is uniquely moist and fluffy with a custard-like texture, thanks to the particular balance of eggs, butter, and milk as well as the slow baking temperature.

Can I use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, cake flour can be used for an even lighter, softer texture, but all-purpose flour works wonderfully well too, especially if you don’t have cake flour on hand.

Do I need a special oven to make this cake?

No special oven is necessary—just a conventional oven set at a relatively low temperature. The slow baking process is what ensures the perfect rise and moist crumb.

Is it important to beat the eggs and sugar until very thick?

Absolutely! This step creates the air bubbles that give Taiwanese Castella Cake its iconic fluffy and light structure. Rushing this will compromise the texture.

Can I add flavors or fillings to the cake?

Definitely! Vanilla is classic, but you can experiment with citrus zest, matcha powder, or even swirl in some fruit preserves for a fun twist on the traditional Taiwanese Castella Cake.

Final Thoughts

Making a Taiwanese Castella Cake at home is like inviting a little piece of Taiwanese bakery magic into your kitchen. It’s a cake that feels both fancy and cozy, perfect for sharing or savoring on your own with a warm cup of tea. Give this recipe a try—you might just find your new favorite dessert that everyone will keep asking for again and again.

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