A
9 to 10-inch round cake pan with sides at least 3 inches high or a
10x4 inch tube pan (a removable bottom is helpful).
1½
cups egg whites
1¼
cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1
cup all-purpose flour
1
teaspoon ground cinnamon
1½
teaspoons cream of tartar
1 tablespoon
instant coffee powder
or
granules, preferably espresso
Prep
Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes
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1.
Check that one rack is in the middle of the oven and heat the oven
to 325 degrees. If the pan has a removable bottom, do nothing to
it. If it does not, lightly butter the bottom. Line the bottom with
waxed paper or parchment paper cut to fit, and lightly butter the
paper.
2.
Thoroughly mix ¼
cup of the sugar and the flour in a small bowl. Mix the 2 tablespoons
sugar and the cinnamon in a small dish. Have all ingredients and
tools at hand.
3.
Pour the egg whites into the bowl in which you will be making the
batter.
4.
Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed for about
2 minutes, until frothy and well broken up. Add the cream of tartar
and increase speed to medium-high. Beat until the whites lose their
yellow cast, greatly increase in volume, and start to turn white.
5.
With the mixer running, slowly sprinkle the remaining 1 cup sugar
over the whites. After 3 or 4 tablespoons, add the coffee powder.
Beat
until the whites become very thick, very glossy, and pale beige,
and the beaters leave a deep trail. Depending on the mixer, this
need only take about 3 minutes total. Reduce the speed to the lowest
possible. Quickly sprinkle the flour-sugar mixture over the whites.
As soon as it is all added but not completely mixed in, stop the
machine and remove the bowl. With a rubber spatula or a large metal
spoon, complete mixing in the flour by folding or gently stirring.
Stop just as soon as the flour seems blended in. With a rubber spatula,
scrape about half the 8 to 9 cups batter in the pan and spread evenly.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the surface. Drop spoonfuls
of the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar and spread fairly
evenly. Using the spatula, trace a circle deep in the batter to
release any large air bubbles.
6.
Bake until no moist patches remain in the surface cracks, the cake
springs back when touched, and a cake tester inserted in the center
comes out clean - about 50 minutes. Turn the pan upside down on
a wire rack. Let cool completely. Loosen the edges (and tube) with
a knife. Turn out the cake, loosen and remove the pan bottom, or
peel off the paper. Store airtight 1 day at room temperature before
serving or freezing. |