Cotton cake, also known as Japanese cotton cheesecake, is a light, fluffy, and soft cheesecake that has a delicate texture, similar to a soufflé. Here’s a step-by-step recipe for making a perfect cotton cake.
Ingredients
For an 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pan:
- 250g (9 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 50g (3.5 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 100ml (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) milk
- 6 large eggs, separated
- 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 60g (½ cup) cake flour (or all-purpose flour sifted with cornstarch)
- 20g (2 tbsp) cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, for extra tang)
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).
- Line the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper. Wrap the outside with aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping in during the baking process.
- Prepare a water bath by placing a large baking dish in the oven and filling it with hot water.
Step 2: Melt Cheese Mixture
- In a heatproof bowl, melt cream cheese, butter, and milk over a double boiler (or microwave in short bursts). Stir until smooth.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Whisk in the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Sift in cake flour and cornstarch, and mix until well combined.
Step 3: Make the Meringue
- In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with salt using an electric mixer until frothy.
- Gradually add sugar in batches while beating until soft peaks form (do not overbeat).
Step 4: Combine and Bake
- Gently fold one-third of the meringue into the batter to lighten it.
- Carefully fold in the remaining meringue using a spatula until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Tap the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles.
- Place the pan into the water bath and bake at 150°C (300°F) for 60–70 minutes, until the top is golden brown and set.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Turn off the oven and leave the cake inside with the door slightly open for 10–15 minutes to prevent sudden collapse.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely before removing from the pan.
- Serve plain or dust with powdered sugar.
Enjoy your soft, fluffy cotton cake! 😊🍰
