Lemon Chiffon Cake

Lemon Chiffon Cake

Kristina Vanni

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 70 mins
Total: 90 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Yield: 1 10-inch cake
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
398 Calories
14g Fat
61g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories 398
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 17%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 93mg 31%
Sodium 276mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 61g 22%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 36g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 2mg 10%
Calcium 103mg 8%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 140mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Chiffon cakes are not only tall, light, and airy but they are also incredibly rich and tender. The height comes from the whipped egg whites, and the moist crumb is the result of a few egg yolks and vegetable oil.

The key to a successful chiffon cake is perfectly whipped egg whites. When beating them, watch as they transform from a pale yellow to delicate white, and become smooth and shiny. When you lift the beater from the bowl they form peaks that yield with gravity. Once you have these beautifully whipped egg whites, make sure they retain air as you incorporate them into the rest of the chiffon cake batter.

Chiffon cakes are traditionally baked in a tube pan with removable bottom. It is important to use an un-greased tube pan. Make sure that there is no trace of grease in the pan, or your cake won’t rise. Once baked, the cake should stick to the sides of the pan. When you invert the pan and allow the cake to cool, it won’t fall out of the pan. When ready to ice and serve the cake, simply run a knife along the outside edge of the pan and it will release itself beautifully. 

Ingredients

For the Lemon Chiffon Cake:

  • 2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour

  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

  • 3 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 4 large egg yolks

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

  • 8 large egg whites, at room temperature

  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

  • Fresh lemon slices and mint, for optional garnish

For the Lemon Icing:

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar

  • 3 to 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 325 F.

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  2. In a medium bowl stir together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
    Kristina Vanni
  3. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the egg yolks, oil, water, 1/4 cup of the lemon juice, and the zest.

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  4. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Wash and completely dry the beater before the next step.

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
    Kristina Vanni
  5. In another large bowl combine the egg whites and cream of tartar and beat at high speed until very stiff peaks form. 

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
    Kristina Vanni
  6. Very gently fold the egg whites into the lemon batter in three batches, digging down to the bottom of the bowl and bring the two mixtures up and over one another. Fold the mixtures together just to the point when no white streaks remain.

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
    Kristina Vanni 
  7. Pour batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan with removable bottom. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched. 

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
    Kristina Vanni 
  8. If your pan has legs (similar to the pan shown here), invert and allow to cool completely, at least 1 hour. (If your pan does not have legs, invert the pan over a bottle to cool.) Once cooled, run a knife along the outside and carefully remove the cake from the pan. Place on a serving plate. 

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
    Kristina Vanni 
  9. In a small bowl stir together the confectioners’ sugar and fresh lemon juice, one teaspoon at a time, until you have reached desired drizzling consistency.

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
    Kristina Vanni
  10. Drizzle the icing over the cake, allowing it to run down the sides of the cake. 

    Lemon Chiffon Cake
    Kristina Vanni
  11. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and fresh mint, if desired. Serve and enjoy!