Genoise sponge cake is one of the most famous French desserts. Its light and delicate texture makes it ideal for many types of desserts. The recipe was invented over 300 years ago, meaning it's truly time-tested.

Recipe with step-by-step photos

Classic Genoise sponge cake

A standard version of the dessert, as originally conceived by the French. If you're looking for a balanced sponge cake without any excess, then this recipe is for you.
Nutritional value per serving
266.7 kcal
  • Proteins: 8.2 g
  • Fats: 5.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45.6 g
*Nutritional value is calculated per 100g of ingredients
  • Total time:
  • Complexity:
    It's easy and straightforward to prepare, but it does require some experience. Not everyone can do it right the first time.
  • Number of servings: 1

Ingredients

Servings
  • Starch
    40 G
  • Egg C1
    6 pcs
  • Flour
    140 G
  • Butter
    80 G
  • Vanilla extract
    10 G

Preparation

Step 1

Add eggs and sugar to the mixer bowl and turn on at low speed.

Step 2

Add cornstarch and vanilla extract to the egg mixture.

Step 3

Turn the mixer to maximum speed until a soft, airy mass is formed.

Step 4

Turn on low speed and gradually add flour with a spoon, and also pour in melted butter.

Step 5

Beat the dough until it becomes a smooth, light consistency.

Step 6

Pour the batter into the molds and bake in a preheated oven at 175 degrees Celsius for 40-45 minutes. Periodically check the cake's doneness with a toothpick.

Step 7
Classic Genoise sponge cake - photo

The dish is ready!

Genoise sponge cake with vanilla extract

Vanilla extract can add a fresh, slightly sweet note to a dish. If you're tired of regular sponge cake, you might want to try this variation.

Ingredients

  • Flour - 150 g
  • Eggs - 5 pcs.
  • Sugar - 150 g
  • Vanilla extract - 1 tsp.
  • Butter - 75 g
  • Salt - to taste

Cooking time: 45–55 minutes

Servings: 1 (20 cm)

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Add eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix thoroughly with a whisk.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake with Vanilla Extract - Step 1

Step 2

Place the resulting mixture in a water bath, continuing to stir continuously until it reaches a homogeneous, warm state.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake with Vanilla Extract - Step 2

Step 3

Beat the mixture with a mixer at maximum speed until a soft and airy dough forms.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake with Vanilla Extract - Step 3

Step 4

Sift flour and salt into the bowl with the dough. Mix everything thoroughly with a spoon.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake with Vanilla Extract - Step 4

Step 5

Pour melted butter into the dough and continue to mix gently so that the mixture does not lose its airiness.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake with Vanilla Extract - Step 5

Step 6

Pour the batter into a baking pan and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) before baking.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake with Vanilla Extract - Step 6

Step 7

Cut off the top and bottom of the sponge cake, leaving the center. The dish is ready!

Chocolate sponge cake Genoise

Compared to the classic recipe, chocolate Genoise has a sweeter and more tart flavor. Although it loses some of its smoothness, its flavor profile more than makes up for it.

Ingredients

  • Egg yolks - 2 pcs
  • Eggs - 6 pcs.
  • Flour - 130 g
  • Butter - 80 g
  • Vanilla extract - to taste
  • Cocoa powder - 40 g
  • Sugar - 180 g

Cooking time: 1 hour

Servings: 1 (22 cm)

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Add eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt to the bowl. Mix everything thoroughly with a whisk.

Recipe - Chocolate Genoise Sponge Cake - Step 1

Step 2

Place the container in a water bath and whisk continuously until the sugar dissolves.

Recipe - Chocolate Genoise Sponge Cake - Step 2

Step 3

Beat the resulting mixture intensively with a mixer until a smooth, homogeneous mass is formed.

Recipe - Chocolate Genoise Sponge Cake - Step 3

Step 4

In another container, mix flour and cocoa powder to form a dry mixture.

Recipe - Chocolate Genoise Sponge Cake - Step 4

Step 5

Slowly add the dry mixture to the soft mass, sifting it over the entire surface.

Recipe - Chocolate Genoise Sponge Cake - Step 5

Step 6

Pour melted butter into our container and mix all ingredients as carefully as possible.

Recipe - Chocolate Genoise Sponge Cake - Step 6

Step 7

Pour the resulting dough into a baking pan.

Recipe - Chocolate Genoise Sponge Cake - Step 7

Step 8

Place the pan in the oven preheated to 180 degrees Celsius for 40-45 minutes, checking for doneness with a skewer. The dish is ready!

Recipe - Chocolate Genoise Sponge Cake - Step 8

Genoise sponge cake recipe by Julia Small

A delicious Genoise sponge cake recipe from a renowned food blogger. Thanks to a special approach to preparation, the sponge cake is not only tender and delicious, but also visually beautiful.

Ingredients

  • Flour - 140 g
  • Butter - 80 g
  • Starch - 40 g
  • Salt - to taste
  • Vanilla extract - 1 tsp.
  • Sugar - 180 g
  • Eggs - 6 pcs.
  • Egg yolk - 1 pc

Cooking time: 50-60 minutes

Servings: 1 (22 cm) or 2 (18 cm)

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Place a deep container in a water bath and pour sugar, egg yolks and salt into it.

Recipe - Julia Small's Genoise Sponge Cake Recipe - Step 1

Step 2

Heat the container over low heat, stirring vigorously with a whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Recipe - Julia Small's Genoise Sponge Cake Recipe - Step 2

Step 3

Remove the container from the water bath and begin to beat the resulting mixture with a mixer until you get a soft and airy mass.

Recipe - Julia Small's Genoise Sponge Cake Recipe - Step 3

Step 4

Add flour and starch to the soft mass, and then mix gently with a spatula.

Recipe - Julia Small's Genoise Sponge Cake Recipe - Step 4

Step 5

Place a small amount of dough in a separate bowl and pour in the melted butter. Stir.

Recipe - Julia Small's Genoise Sponge Cake Recipe - Step 5

Step 6

When ready, pour the creamy mixture into the main container and mix carefully.

Recipe - Julia Small's Genoise Sponge Cake Recipe - Step 6

Step 7

Pour the sponge cake batter into the baking pans and bake them in the oven. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for 25-30 minutes. Test the batter with a skewer.

Recipe - Julia Small's Genoise Sponge Cake Recipe - Step 7

Step 8

The dish is ready!

Recipe - Julia Small's Genoise Sponge Cake Recipe - Step 8

Genoise sponge cake without separating the eggs

A practical version of Genoise sponge cake with just the right amount of ingredients. It's relatively easy to make, and the taste is in no way inferior to other, more extensive recipes.

Ingredients

  • Corn starch - 40 g
  • Flour - 140 g
  • Butter - 80 g
  • Salt - to taste
  • Vanilla extract - 10 g
  • Eggs - 6 pcs.

Cooking time: 45-50 minutes

Servings: 1 (22 cm)

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Sift flour and starch into a deep bowl. Mix with a whisk.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake Without Separating Eggs - Step 1

Step 2

Take a mixer bowl and mix eggs, vanilla extract, salt and sugar in it.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake Without Separating Eggs - Step 2

Step 3

Place the bowl with the egg mixture in a double boiler and whisk vigorously until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake Without Separating Eggs - Step 3

Step 4

Using a mixer, beat the heated mixture until smooth and airy.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake Without Separating Eggs - Step 4

Step 5

Pour the dry ingredients from the container into the bowl with the airy mixture. Mix gently and quickly with a spoon.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake Without Separating the Eggs - Step 5

Step 6

Add a little dough to the melted butter and stir.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake Without Separating the Eggs - Step 6

Step 7

Pour the creamy mixture into the overall dough mass, stirring vigorously with a whisk.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake Without Separating the Eggs - Step 7

Step 8

Pour the prepared dough into a baking pan and place in the oven.

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake Without Separating the Eggs - Step 8

Step 9

Bake the dough for 25-30 minutes at 175 degrees Celsius. The dish is ready!

Recipe - Genoise Sponge Cake Without Separating the Eggs - Step 9