In the realm of desserts, angel food cake has always stood out for its light, airy texture and subtle sweetness. Unfortunately, not everyone can indulge in the traditional version due to dietary restrictions on sugar. Enter the Sugar Free Angel Food Cake, a fantastic alternative that maintains the delightful essence of the classic treat without the added sugars. This blog will guide you through how to make angel food cake, the benefits and intricacies of making it sugar-free, its storage tips, and creative ways to serve it.

How to Make Angel Food Cake

Making angel food cake might seem daunting at first, but with the right steps and ingredients, anyone can achieve a bakery-quality result. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your cake comes out perfectly every time.

The backbone of any angel food cake is the whipped egg whites. Start by separating the egg whites from the yolks and placing the whites in a large, clean mixing bowl. Beat them using an electric mixer until they form soft peaks. This stage is crucial as it provides the cake with its proper light and airy texture. Soft peaks refer to the stage in beating egg whites where the whites are fluffy and hold their shape but still droop over slightly when the beaters are lifted. They form a peak that softly curls down, indicating that the egg whites are not overly stiff or dry.

Achieving soft peaks is vital for recipes like sugar-free angel food cake. It ensures the cake’s light and airy texture, making every bite a delight. Two things to look for are beating egg whites at a moderate speed and checking frequently to avoid overbeating. The perfect soft peak will look like a soft serve ice cream tip, gently folding over rather than standing upright. This visual cue is your green light to proceed with the rest of the recipe. When whipping egg whites for a sugar-free angel food cake, aiming for soft peaks rather than stiff peaks is essential. Soft peaks have a glossy appearance and gently fold over when the beaters are lifted. This ensures that your cake will be tender and airy. Using sugar substitutes can affect the whipping process, so it's important to monitor closely for the right consistency. Perfectly whipped soft peaks are crucial for the success of sugar-free angel food cake recipes. Achieving soft peaks ensures your cake isn't dense and chewy but light and fluffy. This step sets the foundation for a delightful baking experience and an even more delightful eating experience.

Once you have your stiff egg whites, the next step is to incorporate the dry ingredients carefully. Slowly fold in the sugar substitute you'll be using, flour, and other essential components like cream of tartar and vanilla extract. Gentle folding is key to maintaining the airiness of the batter. Overmixing can deflate the egg whites, resulting in a denser cake. Pour the batter into an ungreased tube pan. The ungreased surface allows the batter to cling to the sides as it bakes, enabling the cake to rise properly without collapsing. The design of the tube pan also ensures even baking. Place the cake in a preheated oven and bake until it turns a beautiful golden brown color. Typically, this takes about 45-60 minutes. You’ll know the cake is done when it springs back upon lightly touching the surface.

Creative Ways To Serve

The versatility of sugar-free angel food cake makes it suitable for any event. It can be dressed up for festive celebrations or kept simple for a cozy family dinner. The possibilities of how to serve this delicious cake are endless but 3 ways I love to serve are: In its original form with fresh whipped cream, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. Cut into squares inside of a coupe (or other glass serving bowl) topped with fresh whipped cream and berries. My personal favorite for a large group with differing taste buds is a mixed tray for guests to put together their own toppings of their choice. Angel food cake cut into slices with whipped cream and berries separately so they can add it as they wish. A few other ways can be create a trifle by layering with sugar-free whipped cream and fresh fruits. Top with a sugar-free chocolate drizzle for an indulgent touch. Lastly, serve with a scoop of sugar-free ice cream.

One of the best things about sugar-free angel food cake is its versatility. It can serve as a base for an array of flavorful dessert combinations, making it a staple for various culinary experiments. Top with fresh strawberries for a nutritional sweetness. A medley of berries adds a burst of flavor, vitamins, and antioxidants. Add a dollop of sugar-free whipped cream is always a delicious treat. Drizzle with a sugar-free lemon glaze, this adds a tangy zesty twist. These ideas are simple yet sophisticated, ensuring you can enjoy this dessert in multiple exciting ways.

Storage Tips

Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and texture of your sugar-free angel food cake. After the cake has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature if you plan to consume it within two days. This prevents the cake from drying out and keeps it tasting fresh. If you need to store the cake longer, consider refrigerating it. Ensure its well-wrapped to avoid drying out. The cool environment of the fridge keeps the cake fresh for up to a week.

Freezing is another great option for longer storage. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This double wrapping prevents freezer burn and ensures the cake retains its texture and flavor. Thaw frozen slices at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.

Substitutions

Making a sugar-free angel food cake involves some key substitutions to ensure it remains a healthier alternative without compromising on taste or texture. The sugar-free angel food cake offers a healthier alternative to traditional cakes, allowing those with dietary restrictions to still indulge guilt-free. Instead of sugar, natural low-calorie sweeteners like Splenda stevia is used in this recipe. These maintain the cake's light and fluffy texture while keeping it sweet. Stevia is a plant-based sweetener with no calories. Whether it’s a casual family meal or a festive celebration, the sugar-free angel food cake can be dressed up or down. Its adaptable nature makes it a perfect dessert choice for any event.

Understanding the differences between sugar-free angel food cake and its traditional counterpart can help you appreciate this healthier version. Sugar-free angel food cake, unlike the traditional version that relies on granulated sugar, is substituted with sweeteners like stevia or erythritol to achieve its sweetness. The absence of sugar obviously results in a lower calorie count for the sugar-free version, making it a healthier option for those watching their calorie intake. While both cakes are light and airy, the texture of the sugar-free variety may be slightly different due to the properties of sugar alternatives.

Creating a sugar-free angel food cake can seem like a detailed process, but the result is a dessert that is light, fluffy, and deliciously guilt-free. From mixing the batter to storing the cake and finally serving it in creative ways, each step is integral in achieving the perfect dessert. Whether you’re watching your sugar intake or just looking for a healthier alternative to traditional cakes, this lovely sugar-free angel food cake will meet your needs and delight your taste buds. You won't be disappointed. Experiment with the methods and tips provided, and enjoy this versatile, sweet treat at any time, for any occasion.

Ingredients

12 large egg whites, at room temperature

1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup Splenda Stevia

1 cup sifted cake flour

Instructions

In a bowl using an electric mixer, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla extract on high speed until soft peaks form.
Gradually add ¼ cup Splenda Stevia and cake flour with spatula, being sure not to over mix and loose the soft peaks.
Pour batter into an ungreased 10” tube pan and spread evenly. Run a knife through the batter to remove air bubbles or tap on table.
Bake on lowest rack in oven for 40–45 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
Set pan upside down on a cooling rack; cool cake in pan for 30–40 minutes. Run a narrow knife around sides to loosen cake; remove from pan and cool completely on the wire rack. Serve with whipped cream, fresh berries and enjoy!

Other Delicious Desserts You Will Love:

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A Deliciously Sweet Treat: Mini Key Lime Pies with Splenda

Banana Cake made with Brown Butter Frosting

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As Independence Day is quickly approaching, it’s time to start planning for your 4th of July festivities! To me, one of the most important aspects of any successful holiday gathering is a well-crafted tablescape. Whether you’re hosting the typical backyard barbecue, an indoor dinner party, or a picnic on the beach, you can create a stunning tablescape to show off your patriotism and honor America’s birthday. In this blog post, we’ll explore some fun and creative ideas for designing the perfect 4th of July tablescape. This 4th of July, make your table sparkle, boom, and be the talk of the town!

When it comes to planning your 4th of July tablescape, white is always a good go-to base color for a classic look. Feature a centerpiece of white flowers, with a hint of blue mixed in for good measure. Utilize white china dishes and glassware for a timeless look, or find a beautiful blue or red print to make a statement. For added patriotic flair, add a few American flags to the décor. Place a bowl of red, white, and blue candy at each place setting to satisfy any sweet tooth. Include a small favor at each seat, such as a mini flag, to send your guests home with as a special touch they will appreciate. Finally, top off the look with a few star-shaped decorations to really show your spirit. With these few simple touches, your 4th of July tablescape will be a hit!

Red, White, and Blue Place Settings

The 4th of July is the perfect time to show your patriotic side with a festive tablescape. Whether you’re hosting a smaller gathering of family and friends or a large party, you can easily create a festive 4th of July tablescape with a few simple decorations. Start by creating red, white, and blue place settings. For this place setting I used the Marlow Thomas dishes from William Sonoma. I also used blue chargers, floral print blue plates and floral appetizer plates in different designs. The appetizer and dinner plates also come in red so you can do an alternating color for a fun and festive colorful look. I opted for gold silverware, which I use frequently, to match the gold around the rim of the dishes.

For a more luxurious touch, opt for cloth napkins. I did a simple white with red edging to give a subtle hint of red and added a nice wow statement with the napkin holder. I found the cutest star-shaped napkin holders on Etsy, and they also come in blue and other designs. You can also embellish the napkins with patriotic charms or ribbons for a special touch. You can also get creative and match the theme of your tablescape by using napkins with designs that reflect the holiday, such as fireworks, sparklers, or of course stars and stripes. Whatever you choose, make sure to choose napkins that show off your American spirit and give your 4th of July table an added festive touch.

Red, White and Blue Centerpieces for Tables

A 4th of July tablescape is the perfect way to celebrate this Independence Day. With the right decorations, you can create a festive and inviting atmosphere for your guests. Add a centerpiece to your table for an extra special touch. Red, white and blue centerpieces can be as simple as an arrangement of candles or as elaborate as a bouquet of flowers. You can even purchase pre-made centerpieces or make one yourself using items such as American flags, star-shaped balloons, and sparklers. For these patriotic table centerpieces, I did a matching blue and white pot from Williams-Sonoma that will double with a plant after the holiday. I filled it with white hydrangeas and small American flags. This was a very simple centerpiece to do and is right on the theme! One thing to be wiery of is hydrangeas get hot and can die quickly because of that, so be sure to purchase the day before or the day off and to spray them with water before taking them outside so they stay plenty wet and hydrated.

Drink Station

I wanted to add a fun element to this 4th of July table and the best way to do that is also something that helps guests help themselves. A drink station or food area allows guests to grab what they want as needed so you aren't asking them nonstop what you can get for them. I did a 3 drink station with Splenda's new Pour Pouch's and I loved how it turned out! Pink lemonade (with lemons), peach mango (with fresh peaches) and fruit punch (with strawberries, watermelon and blueberries) were beautiful colors to pick for this but also gave a variety of flavors for guests to choose from. Helpful tip if doing a drink station like this is to fill the jars with ice before adding cold water. This gives lots of room for ice to melt while keeping the drinks nice and cold. Adding fruit into each one also helps distinguish the flavors inside of each jar or you can also add names onto each glass drink dispenser.

How Can I Make My 4th of July Tablescape Stand Out?

The 4th of July is the perfect time to get creative and throw together a tablescape that celebrates the spirit of America and the spirit of your creativity. To get started, incorporate the colors of the American Flag (red, white, and blue) into your design. Utilize rustic elements like natural wood, mason jars, and burlap to add texture and charm. Create a centerpiece with festive decorations like stars, stripes, and fireworks to really bring the spirit of the Fourth of July to life.

For food and drinks, serve up some festive and delicious Fourth of July favorites like red, white, and blue popsicles, iced teas+, and cupcakes. To add some sparkle and shine, incorporate glittery accents like star garlands and banners. Finally, don’t forget to use festive, Fourth of July-themed plates, cups, and napkins for a fun touch that matches your tablecloth. With these decorative items, you’ll have the perfect Fourth of July tablescape that celebrates the traditional spirit of America.