Lime Angel Food Cake with Pistachios and Lime Glaze
Pittsburghers! Don’t forget about the National Food Blogger’s Bake Sale this Saturday from 10-2pm! If you are still interested in helping out, contact me at merchant.jessica@gmail.com.
Mother Lovett made a great angel food cake.
Until this weekend, I had never tried my hand at one. And I figured it was simple as can be.
Sure, Mother Lovett seemed rather particular about it – suggesting that it was a bit time consuming and a cake that required perfection. I thought that was only because she was particular about most things – like the placement of the oatmeal cream pies that expired in 2006. Or the 16 bottles of hairspray in the linen closet – most of which were outdated by 1965.
Or the tissues, used and reused, that she stuffed up her shirt sleeve for easy access.
She was correct.
This light-as-a-feather angel food cake was practically the death of me.
(I probably should not joke about that, since Mother Lovett had a heart attack while hand-mixing a cake. Death by cake may run in the family. )
It was not simple.
There was the separation of the eggs, the folding of the flour, and the loss of my mind.
And it was so totally worth it.
Truth be told, I am not really a fan of plain ole’ angel food cake.
Sure, if you give me some sugar-laden strawberries, a bucket full of whipped cream and some chocolate sauce, I would eat up.
But I had never been tempted to bake an angel food cake on my own.
Until I saw this one in Bon Appetite.
Angel food cake meets sweet, tart lime and salty, crunchy pistachios.
It sounded like one fabulous dessert.
And fabulous it was.
I don’t know if I will ever be able to have regular angel food cake again.
Even without the pistachios, the fluffy cake peppered with lime zest is fantastic – a very refreshing and summery treat.
With the pistachios, it is basically heaven on a dish.
When I chopped the pistachios, I added a touch of sea salt. That, combined with the sugary lime syrup underneath, and the lime glaze on top, makes for the perfect combination.
My tastebud’s were more than pleased.
Lime Angel Food Cake with Pistachios and Lime Glaze
from Bon Appetite
1 cup cake flour
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 large egg whites, room temperature
2 teaspoons lime zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 350.
Sift flour, 1/2 cup superfine sugar, and salt into a bowl; repeat 3 times. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites, lime zest, and vanilla on medium until frothy. Add cream of tartar; increase speed to high and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.
Sprinkle 1/3 of the flour mixture over whites and gently fold in until incorporated. Fold in remaining flour in 2 additions until incorporated. Transfer to an ungreased 10-inch angel food cake pan, smooth top down.
Bake cake until pale and golden and tested inserted in center comes out clean – about 38-40 minutes. Immediately invert cake and cool completely.
Run a knife around the edges and remove cake from pan. Set cake on race over wax paper.
Lime Syrup
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup pistachios, chopped in food processor
Combine sugar and lime juice in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Brush syrup over cake and press pistachios onto cake.
Lime Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lime juice
Whisk together lime juice and sugar until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cake and let stand 10 minutes to set.
Just like Mother Lovett, I wrapped up this angel food cake in plastic wrap and foil and set it on the counter.
Unlike Mother Lovett, I do not plan on freezing it and eating a piece this time next year.
60 Comments on “Lime Angel Food Cake with Pistachios and Lime Glaze”
That looks heavenly. And this reminds that I haven’t eaten pistachios in so long!
Sounds like a really interesting flavor combination. I’m not sure I would have ever thought to put pistachios and lime together! The outcome looks gorgeous though. Hope you have a nice Monday :)
Oooh, I want a slice! Looks fantastic!
What a great combo! I would’ve never thought to pair pistachios and lime.
Looks delicious :)
That’s interesting. I’m normally not a huge fan of angel food cake, but it sounds good enough to try with the pistachios and lime glaze.
oh dear – that’s gorgeous!!! the last time i tried angel food cake i got my butt handed to me…whooped in my own kitchen! i broke down in tears and nate didn’t understand…
LOVE the snippets of your grandmother in this one. She sounds like she was quite a character. :)
That is one beautiful cake!
Not only does this sound delicious, it’s beautiful! Such a great springtime dessert. Or anytime meal, really…
Heavenly! Love angel food cake.
drool drool drool.
OHHHHH MAN this looks so good! just like you I am not a huge fan of angel food cake either! unless it comes in a form like THIS! wowza it looks so moist an delicious!! I hope Mr Sweet liked it too :)
remember before when i told you i had 10 photos? i now have 12. this is going to be a difficult decision, little miss can’t be wrong. [sorry- spin doctors is currently playing in my ear, i couldnt help it]
i have a serious question for you…
when i become rich, you know, for, well…ummm….being rambly…will you become my personal chef? please? PRETTY PLEASE?
i wont even offer to pay you in trident layers.
BAHAHAHA Trident Layers.
I saw this in Bon Appetite and wanted to make it, too! Thanks for testing it out first!
YUM!! I want this and I don’t even like cake!
Oh YUM! I was just talking about wanting some angel food cake! This one looks delicious!
Yowza!!! This looks + sounds like a winner…I bet coconut cool whip would go well w/the lime flavor. So pretty too…loooove GREEN!
What a unique flavor combination! I’m intrigued.
I’m pretty sure I’ve only ever had angel food cake from a box. Lame.
I’m sorry. I can’t stop staring at the blondies from last post.
This looks fantastic! Great recipe and pictures for sure. It does make regualr angel food cake look drab.
this sounds really tasty. my mom’s fav dessert is angel food cake so we always make it for her for her bday, but, like you, i find it kinda blah. i’m saving this recipe to see if we can entice her to try this one out for her big day!
that is so sweet! moms loving angels is just a great thought!
I have always wanted to make angel food cake because it looks so soft and fluffy and I bet its light as a feather! This is so pretty. Pistachio wins me everytime.
I’m loving all the lime stuff over here lately, ma’am! This looks delicious! I don’t know that I’m skilled enough yet to take this on…but I will be saving the recipe if I ever get to brave…I mean, skilled :)
mmmm pistachios are a fav for sure :-)
Anything with that many pistachios has to be fantastic
This looks amazing girl! The lime glaze is such an interesting flavor. I’m sure I would have a nervous breakdown over the cake baking portion, but I’m always ready with my fork in case you want to share!
This looks amazing! Love the contrast of the outer “crust” and the white inside…yumm.
i.need.this.now.
haha omg you are describing my mammie to a T, tissues and all!
I’ve made boxed (the horror!) angel food cake with a lemon glaze in the past and it was a delightful change to the usual cake with frosting. This version looks so delish – I will definitely be giving it a try!
I so so wish I could drive up to PA and help you out with the bake sale. One of these days we must meet!
What a beautiful cake! I love angel food cake, so fluffy and heavenly!! :)
Angle food cake is my favorite! I used to ask for it every single year for my birthdays. If only I thought to ask for it with pistachios on top!
I’m with you, I am not really a fan of plain old angelfood cake either. But WOW, this sure isn’t plain! I bet the pistachios and the lime go so well together.
Hi…
thanks for the post! the cake looks absolutely delicious… I can’t wait to try it!
Lindsay
A Design Story
http://www.adesignstory.com
ohh yum!! Pistachio and lime?? sounds delish. i’m not really big on angel food cake but this?? this is definitely worth a try!
i am so happy u like ultramet too! LOVE IT!! and you will love the carrot fries-promise!
Ah, that looks heavenly! I LOVE angel food cake and I bet lime is such a lovely additional flavor. But I think I’d need to improve my baking skills before trying out that one. If YOU think it’s hard, it must be!
Angel Food cake used to be one of my favorites!! Your recipe sounds amazing…as usual!! Your are so creative!!
Can I please come live with you?
Wow! Looks great! You have amazed me once again ha!
What an interesting cake! The only way I have ever had angel food is with whip cream and strawberries, but this sounds even better!
Get some experimenting! ((Angel food cake dipped in fondue is the only way I’ve had it come to think of it))
Katherine
I have never really liked angel food cake, but my mom who is visiting loves it and just asked me to print your recipe! I think your cake is awfully pretty!
Wow! This is so creative!!
here’s to a successful sub 25 challenge. sub 20 would be better but 25.
as im about to go leave 40…
sigh.
xoxo
you make so many wonderful treats, your husbands belly must be happy all the time!
Funny, I JUST polished off a piece of Angel Food Cake. I can’t believe you don’t like it solo? It’s like, the perfect cake in my mind. I guess we know which one of us is going to go into a sugar coma first.
This recipe would totally satisfy my sweet and salty tooth in one hit. I lovett. ;-)
That cake looks AMAZING! I love pistachio, I love lime, I love cake ummm why have I never made this cake before? Beautiful picture! I can’t wait to try this recipe out.
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This looks absolutely amazing! I love citrus desserts, so this is on the top of my “to make” list!