foam cake savvy
eggs separate more easily when cold but whip up better when at room temperature. separate the eggs as soon as you take them from the refrigerator, then let the whites sit out in a bowl for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature before beating them.
if a recipe calls for whisking the eggs or egg whites over hot water, do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water or the eggs will cook.
lift the beaters or whisk from the whites and turn them upright to determine if they have formed soft or stiff peaks. soft peaks will gently fall over onto themselves, while stiff, dry peaks will stand straight up.
overbeating eggs will cause them to clump and look somewhat chalky, and the cake will not rise as successfully.
before baking the cake, gently run a kitchen knife or small rubber spatula through the batter to deflate any large air bubbles.
a foam cake is done when the top is golden and the cake springs back when gently pressed with a fingertip.