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Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Recipe Book Recipe Reviews => Topic started by: Amanda on April 06, 2010, 02:12:28 am

Title: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Amanda on April 06, 2010, 02:12:28 am
I gave this one a try yesterday, despite having misgivings about the likelihood of an airy sponge being the result.
Boy was I right! :(
Despite following the recipe to the letter, when pouring the mix into the tin I found a gluggy mass stuck under the blades.  This was a serious bummer as I had already poured most of the mix into the prepared tin, so I just mixed it in as best as I could.
The cake baked well and rose beautifully with no gluggy lumps in inside when I sliced it.  Inside it looked spongy and airy, but more like a dishwashing sponge and the texture was very similar too.
This was rubbery and chewy and bears no resemblance to the delightful wispy sponges made by my CWA baking aunts.

Also, it uses 6 eggs!  Just as well our chooks are serious about their job! :o
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: cathy79 on April 06, 2010, 02:19:34 am
Thanks for reviewing Amanda - good to know to try a different recipe.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Thermomixer on April 06, 2010, 02:29:21 am
Oh dear - do you have a solution for Tenina ?
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Amanda on April 06, 2010, 02:37:36 am
Oh dear - do you have a solution for Tenina ?

My only solution is not to try, sorry.
I have said before that I have reservations about the ability of the TM to properly aerate things like egg whites for pavlova and completely creaming butter and sugar - I think that this is another example.
Perhaps it can be done by someone more patient than me, but I am just as happy to get out my Kitchen Aid.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: cookie1 on April 06, 2010, 04:19:09 am
Sorry folks but I have to agree with Amanda when it comes to things that need aerating. I'm now unwilling to risk losing eggs by my flops-I don't have any chooks-wish I did. :'(
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: cathy79 on April 06, 2010, 04:28:54 am
And for those without a Kitchen Aid, hand beater, mix master etc?  There must be a solution somewhere.....
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: judydawn on April 06, 2010, 04:35:45 am
Some things are just better done the old fashioned way.  It was worth all the trouble an old neighbour used to go to to make the tallest sponges I have ever seen (still didn't work for me though).  She could cut a cake into 4 layers!!  Funny how some people can make sponges, scones or pavlovas and others can't - at least I have conquered the scones and my pavlovas done the old way are pretty good too.  Sponges - still working on that one. Thanks for the review Amanda, these things are nice to know. :-*
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Amanda on April 06, 2010, 09:59:29 am
And for those without a Kitchen Aid, hand beater, mix master etc?  There must be a solution somewhere.....

If you are keen to bake great cakes or make anything that needs lots of air then I think that is is worth investing in a cheap electric mixer or at least some electric handbeaters!
They are really quite cheap.
I know that others have been satisfied with the creaming results in the TM, but if you really, properly cream butter and sugar for 5 minutes or so with electric beaters it makes a massive difference to a cake.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: maddy on April 06, 2010, 10:06:40 am
Totally agree with you Amanda.
I was really wanting all the cakes I make to work in the TM, but some cakes are just not the same.  Some do work well though.
I guess I can look past it, as bimby makes up for it in lots of other areas ;D
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: achookwoman on April 06, 2010, 10:31:39 am
Amanda,  Tmx is a wonderful machine but it doesn't do everything.  I have to agree with you,   I worked for days trying to get a good Pav recipe to work,  (just as well the chooks were laying well)  In the end I had moderate success,   well covered in cream.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Amanda on April 06, 2010, 10:37:36 am
I agree with Chookie and Maddy.
It is a wonderful machine which I still love passionately after 2 1/2 years and will never regret buying, however like me and most others I know, it does have it's limits!  So I just work out what I will or won't use it for!
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: maddy on April 06, 2010, 11:02:11 am
Well my 2nd favourite appliance is my pink kitchenaid......(which is called Rizzo)......the best mixer for cakes IMO   ;)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IMJq7wgj2GY/R_ZjphULgtI/AAAAAAAAAB4/VyQipgOap8w/s400/pink-kitchenaid-artisan-mixer.jpg)
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Gralke on April 06, 2010, 11:32:31 am
I wonder if anyone has tried the tip from Cristina Galliano to make a airy sponge: Pulverize sugar until really fine, put butterfly in place, add eggs (yolk and white) and beat for 6 minutes! with temperature 37º open speed 3,5 and repeat for another 6 minutes same speed, no temperature. NO MICROCUP in place to let air into the TM. It always surprises me the amount of air that is incorporated this way. Then add the flour gently for 10 seconds on speed 3, so not to disturb the air in the dough. I sometimes incorporate the flour with a whisk by hand and do not bother to turn the TM on.

I have translated the tips and tricks from Cristina Galliano on cake making http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3375.0

On the notes I have translated the beating times are a little different and have no temperature, I can't really explain why, sorry.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Ceejay on April 06, 2010, 03:33:49 pm
Thanks for translating Barbara!  :-*

I have to admit that I still go back to my old favourite, my nearly 40yo Kenwood Chef that I picked up at a garage sale and had serviced.  It isn't used anywhere near as much as TiM but I still wouldn't part with it!  :-))
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Moonmobile on April 06, 2010, 10:26:27 pm
Dear everyone

Thank you for such a useful discussion - it is so good having such a great forum to help with cooking and the thermomix!  :) :)


Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: cathy79 on April 06, 2010, 11:15:36 pm
I gave my small hand mixer away to my sister when she moved out of home and was setting up home.

Barbara, will have to try your translated method sometime.  So many things to cook! 
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: trudy on April 07, 2010, 04:22:31 am
I also have to agree with you Amanda.  After several flops re pavs exc I also now use my kitchen aid.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: meganjane on April 07, 2010, 07:15:58 am
I (http://www.thedishforum.com/smilies/love-friendship-drool/beatingheart.gif) my KA and wouldn't be without it.
When making sponges, something that I do very well, I never mix the flour in with the beater whisk, rather I remove the whisk and use it to incorporate the flour. My recipe uses only 4 eggs, but the eggs are beaten for 3 minutes, then sugar added, then another 5 minutes.
Perhaps just try the egg and sugar beating for longer and then remove to a bowl to sift in and incorporate flours?
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: containergirl on April 07, 2010, 07:47:38 am
Great thread to read.  Some recipes seem to be temperamental.  Thank goodness we can share tips to the common problems.  It is soooooo frustrating when you follow a recipe and it flops.  Following recipes isn't my strong point so I feel really miffed when I do and it doesn't work

I haven't tried the sponge but one friend swears by the recipe.  She had never made a sponge before and thought it would flop but was brilliant and she keeps turning them out.

My sister (who lives further south) has been making top ricotta but following the same recipe but I made buttermilk.  I think I might get some answers when I go back over the thread on ricotta making.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Amanda on April 07, 2010, 09:10:20 am
I (http://www.thedishforum.com/smilies/love-friendship-drool/beatingheart.gif) my KA and wouldn't be without it.
When making sponges, something that I do very well, I never mix the flour in with the beater whisk, rather I remove the whisk and use it to incorporate the flour. My recipe uses only 4 eggs, but the eggs are beaten for 3 minutes, then sugar added, then another 5 minutes.
Perhaps just try the egg and sugar beating for longer and then remove to a bowl to sift in and incorporate flours?

That may work, but doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose of the TM as you would then end up with 2 dirty things to wash? ???
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: gertbysea on April 08, 2010, 07:02:31 am
I just found this recipe from  my consultant and remember making it last year. I am not a cake baker so was dubious but I do remember that it worked for me.

4 large eggs room temp separated
125 gms raw sugar
125 gms corn flour

Pre heat oven 180 degrees
Place raw sugar into *: mill for 6 seconds on Speed 9 and set aside
Attach butterfly and place egg whites into  *: whisk  4-6 minutes on speed 4
Add sugar through hole in lid and whisk for 2 minutes  speed 4
Add egg yolks and whisk for 2 minutes on speed 4
Add cornflour gradually  through hole in lid over 1 minute on speed 1-2
Remove butterfly and continue folding in cornflour with spatula assistance  through lid for 30 seconds  on speed 1

Pour batter ihnto greased 24 cm spring form pan and bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown.

My consultans calls this her never fail recipe.


I'd be interested to now from you bakes if this is really a never fail recipe.


Gretch
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: meganjane on April 08, 2010, 08:08:57 am
I (http://www.thedishforum.com/smilies/love-friendship-drool/beatingheart.gif) my KA and wouldn't be without it.
When making sponges, something that I do very well, I never mix the flour in with the beater whisk, rather I remove the whisk and use it to incorporate the flour. My recipe uses only 4 eggs, but the eggs are beaten for 3 minutes, then sugar added, then another 5 minutes.
Perhaps just try the egg and sugar beating for longer and then remove to a bowl to sift in and incorporate flours?

That may work, but doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose of the TM as you would then end up with 2 dirty things to wash? ???

Well, at least one is easy to wash!!
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Thermomixer on April 08, 2010, 11:08:01 am
Thanks Gerty - sounds good.  might have to put in the cakes section.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Moonmobile on April 08, 2010, 11:09:06 pm
Hi Gretch

Fantastic - a gluten free recipe too! I'm also still experimenting with sweeteners to find what I'm not allergic too. I'll try rapadura and also try Jo's formula for substituting honey for sugar.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: gertbysea on April 09, 2010, 06:42:34 am
Hi Gretch

Fantastic - a gluten free recipe too! I'm also still experimenting with sweeteners to find what I'm not allergic too. I'll try rapadura and also try Jo's formula for substituting honey for sugar.

Duh, now why didn't I think of that! :-[

Clever you moonmobile. I hope someone tries it and it works.

Gert
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: Moonmobile on April 11, 2010, 12:09:19 am
Gert, I will definitely be trying it soon - will let you know how it turns out.
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: meganjane on April 24, 2010, 01:59:31 pm
Rather than try Gretchen's, I used my own No Fail Recipe and it worked fantastically! See this thread (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3483.0).
Title: Re: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: jakodai on March 27, 2013, 10:49:01 am
I made the EDC sponge cake yesterday, but used my bench mixer instead, and it turned out great. I used the whisk attachment to whip the egg whites and also for the yolks & sugar, then used the paddle attachment on low speed to mix in the flour. I was a little sceptical when I made it that a cake with so few ingredients would turn out well, but it did! The oven had a very strong cooking eggs smell, though... Lol

I filled it with jam and whipped cream and iced it with strawberry flavoured icing and topped it with sprinkles.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/27/ysu9u4e7.jpg)
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: CreamPuff63 on March 27, 2013, 02:55:13 pm
Looks like there is abit of height, I will look up this recipe as sponge cake is G.O.O.D.
I have a couple of no fail recipes...
Title: Re: EDC Sponge cake - Don't bother
Post by: MEP on March 28, 2013, 01:26:00 pm
I agree with others, TMX is good but KA will always win when it comes to cakes etc. the other day I used TMX for pancakes and there was a gluggy blob at the bottom that hadn't mixed properly so never again for me.