What Is Magic Cake?

Oh my goodness, let me tell you about magic cake. It’s this incredible dessert that separates into 3 different layers while it bakes! I couldn’t believe it when I first tried it, over 10 years ago when I first shared it with you, and ever since then it’s been one of the most popular recipes on the blog. Magic cake is a fascinating confection that defies the laws of physics and leaves us in wonderment. With its 3 distinct layers, it’s a testament to the power of chemistry and the magic of baking. The way it separates into a dense layer, a custard-like layer, and a light sponge layer is truly a marvel of culinary science. It’s remarkable to think that such a delicious and visually stunning cake can be made with simple ingredients like flour, eggs, milk, sugar, and butter. But it’s the precise combination of these ingredients, along with the proper baking technique, that makes magic cake truly magical. Each layer is a perfect balance of texture and flavor, creating a symphony of taste sensations that dance on the palate.

Eggs – You will need some fresh large eggs that are at room temperature. They will also need to be separated.  Sugar – Simple white granulated sugar is used to sweeten the batter.  Butter – Always use unsalted butter in baking to control the amount of added salt.  Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. Flour – Basic all-purpose flour is all you need.  Milk – Any kind of milk will work including dairy-free but it must be lukewarm. Powdered Sugar – It’s used to dust the cake at the end. 

This recipe is super easy and the batter comes together quickly. All you have to do is follow a few simple instructions and your cake will turn out terrific! To begin, you need to preheat your oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) to get it ready for the magic cake! Then grease an 8-inch square baking pan. You can also line it with parchment paper if you like to make it easier to remove from the pan.  To make the simple batter, start by separating all the eggs. Then beat the egg yolks together with the sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. Next, add the melted butter and vanilla extract and continue beating the mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes. Then add the flour and mix it into the batter until it’s fully incorporated.  You need to take your time doing this next step. So just slowly start adding the milk and beating it into the batter until it’s fully mixed in. The texture of this cake will not turn out properly if you just dump the milk into the batter all at once. Whipping the egg whites until they form stiff peaks is another important component of this recipe. For the best results, use an electric mixer or stand mixer, but you can also do it by hand with a whisk and a lot of elbow grease! And if you are having trouble getting your whites to go from soft peaks to stiff peaks you can add ½ teaspoon cream of tartar. Now, use a rubber spatula to very gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter just until they are about 90% combined. You still want to see some streaks of white at the top of the batter. You can also whisk the egg whites into the batter if you like, which is a lot faster. But again, do not mix them completely into the batter.  After the egg whites have been blended into the batter, pour it into the prepared cake pan. Then transfer it to the oven to bake for 40 to 70 minutes or until the top is lightly golden brown in color. You should check the cake after 40 minutes, but the baking time can vary a lot depending on the oven. When the cake is done, it should only jiggle slightly but still feel firm to the touch. Once the cake is ready, remove it from the oven and let it completely cool. Then dust it with some powdered sugar and serve! 

Storage

Leftover magic cake will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. However, this cake does not freeze well.

Other Magic Cake Recipes To Try

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