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Peppermint Angel Food Cake

Source of Recipe


From "Simply Cakes" by Elizabeth Alston






List of Ingredients



• 1 cup sugar, divided
  
• 1-1/4 cups cake flour or 1 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 20 round red-and-white peppermint candies
  
• 1-1/2 cups egg whites (10 to 12 large eggs)
  
• 1-1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1 Tbsp powdered sugar
  






Instructions



1. Place oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees (F). Prepare a 10-inch angel-food cake pan by lining the bottom with wax paper or parchment paper to fit.
   
   
2. Measure all ingredients and have ready for mixing. Thoroughly mix 1/4 cup sugar with the flour. Finely chop the mints in a food processor -- or a few at a time, in a blender.
   
   
3. Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until frothy and well broken up. Add cream of tartar and increase the speed to medium-high. Beat until the whites lose their yellow cast, greatly increase in volume and start to turn white.
   
   
4. With the mixer running, slowly sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup sugar over the whites. Beat until the whites become very thick, very glossy and white, and the beaters leave a deep trail. Add the crushed peppermints and vanilla, beating just enough to mix.
   
   
5. Reduce speed to lowest possible setting. Quickly sprinkle flour mixture over the whites. As soon as it is all added, but not completely mixed in, stop the machine and remove the bowl. Complete mixing in the flour by folding in, stopping as soon as the flour seems blended in.
   
   
6. Transfer batter to the prepared pan. Using a spatula, inscribe a circle deep in the batter to release any large air bubbles. Bake in the preheated oven 50 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
   
   
7. Turn the pan upside down on a wire rack. Let cool completely. Loosen the outside edge and around the center tube with a knife. Turn out the cake and peel off the paper. Wrap airtight. (The cake can be frozen.) Sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving.
   
   Makes 12 to 16 slices.