Genoise Sponge Cake

If you are looking for the perfect cake base to create a cake to your taste, the genoise (jen-nu-iz) sponge is the way to go. Although the crumb is light and airy it has a great structure that absorbs and holds any kind of flavors you would like to add. It only consists of 4 main ingredients which come together with ease. And yes, this can be made as a chocolate sponge too.

You might be wondering, what is a sponge cake? and how does it differ from a pound cake? When most of the cakes leavening is given by whipping the eggs that can be considered a sponge. Pound cakes have a bigger fat content making them denser and gives a finer structure to the crumb. Whereas a sponge has a lot of air incorporated into it, making it lighter and delicate.

This particular sponge recipe origins in Italy and was named after the port city of Genoa. Although we do not know who exactly made it first, it is dated all the way to the year 1500. Turns out it was served to the nobles at large banquets. Oh my, how fancy!

Let's get baking!

Quick tutorial

Recipe card