cloud cake recipe

There’s something magical about biting into a dessert that feels like you’re tasting a piece of the sky. That’s exactly what you get with this Cloud Cake recipe—a simple, 4-ingredient, flourless wonder that is super soft, light, and fluffy—exactly like clouds. The subtle hint of lemon brightens each bite, while the unique water bath baking method ensures a texture that’s unlike any cake you’ve tried before.

I stumbled upon this recipe during a particularly hectic week when I needed something impressive yet effortless to serve unexpected guests. What began as a desperate attempt to create something delicious with minimal ingredients in my pantry has since become one of my most requested desserts. The delicate lemon flavor is my personal favorite, but as you’ll see, this versatile cake can be adapted to suit various taste preferences.

Why This Cloud Cake Will Become Your New Favorite

Before we dive into the recipe, let me share why this cloud cake deserves a permanent spot in your baking repertoire:

Unlike traditional cakes that require flour, baking powder, and a laundry list of ingredients, this cloud cake relies on just four simple components that you likely already have in your kitchen. The magic happens in the technique—particularly in how the eggs are handled and the gentle baking process.

The texture is what truly sets this cake apart. Imagine the lightest soufflé meeting the creamiest cheesecake, resulting in a dessert that quite literally melts in your mouth. It’s rich without being heavy, sweet without being cloying, and impressive without being complicated.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or someone who feels intimidated by complex desserts, this recipe welcomes all skill levels. The simplicity of ingredients doesn’t compromise the wow factor of the final product, making it perfect for both weeknight treats and special occasions.

The Essential Ingredients

For this heavenly cloud cake, you’ll need just four main ingredients (plus an optional dusting of powdered sugar for decoration):

• Eggs: 4 large eggs, at room temperature. This is absolutely crucial—cold eggs won’t achieve the volume and structure needed for that cloud-like texture.
• Yogurt: Greek yogurt is preferred for its thickness and tanginess, but plain yogurt works wonderfully too. The subtle acidity complements the lemon and adds a lovely depth to the flavor profile.
• Condensed Milk: This ingredient pulls double duty, providing both sweetness and richness to the cake. The concentrated milk solids create that dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes this cake so special.
• Lemon: Both the juice and zest are utilized, infusing the cake with a bright, refreshing flavor that cuts through the richness perfectly. The natural acidity also helps stabilize the egg whites for a better structure.
• (Optional) Powdered Sugar: A light dusting just before serving adds a touch of elegance and additional sweetness if desired.

The exact quantities are listed in the recipe card at the end of this post, but the beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—just four ingredients transform into something extraordinary.

The Science Behind the Fluffiness

Before we get to the detailed instructions, it’s worth understanding why this cake achieves such an incredible texture. The secret lies in the egg whites.

When egg whites are whipped to stiff peaks, they create a structure of tiny air bubbles surrounded by protein. This protein network stabilizes during baking, resulting in that distinctively light texture. Meanwhile, the egg yolks, condensed milk, and yogurt provide richness and moisture, creating the perfect balance between airy and creamy.

The water bath (or bain-marie) is equally important. This gentle cooking method ensures even heat distribution and adds humidity to the oven environment, allowing the cake to cook slowly and rise beautifully without cracking or collapsing.

Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s break down the process into manageable steps to create your perfect cloud cake:

1. Preparation

Preheat your oven to 160°C (340°F). This lower-than-usual temperature is intentional and crucial to the success of your cloud cake. The gentle heat prevents the cake from cracking or deflating during the baking process.

Take a 20cm (8-inch) springform pan and line it with parchment paper, making sure to cover both the bottom and sides. The parchment will make removing the delicate cake much easier after baking.

Pro Tip: Spray a little cooking oil on the pan before placing the parchment paper to help it stick in place while you pour the batter.

2. Egg Separation

Separate the egg whites from the yolks into two different mixing bowls. Be extremely careful not to get any yolk in the egg whites, as even a tiny amount of fat can prevent them from whipping properly.

Pro Tip: The best method for separation is to crack the egg and pass the yolk back and forth between the shell halves, letting the white fall into a bowl. Then place the yolk in a separate bowl. Alternatively, you can use an egg separator tool if you have one.

3. Yolk Mixture Preparation

In the bowl containing the egg yolks, add the condensed milk, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and Greek yogurt. Mix these ingredients until they’re well combined but not overmixed. The consistency should be smooth and somewhat thick. Set this mixture aside while you work on the egg whites.

Pro Tip: Room temperature ingredients mix more easily than cold ones, so take your yogurt out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before starting.

4. Whipping the Egg Whites

This step is where the magic happens. Using an electric stand mixer (highly recommended) or hand mixer, begin whipping the egg whites on medium speed. As they start to become frothy, increase the speed to high and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.

Pro Tip: Ensure your mixing bowl is completely dry and clean before adding the egg whites. Even a tiny residue of fat or water can prevent proper whipping. Also, remember that room temperature egg whites whip up better than cold ones, which is why we specified room temperature eggs in the ingredients list.

How do you know when you’ve reached stiff peaks? If you lift the beater out of the egg whites, the peaks that form should stand straight up without flopping over. The mixture should look glossy and feel smooth, not grainy or dry (which would indicate over-beating).

5. The Gentle Fold

This step requires patience and a light touch. Gradually add the whipped egg whites to the yolk mixture in three portions. Using a large spatula, gently fold the ingredients together with a down-and-up motion, rotating the bowl as you go.

Pro Tip: The goal is to incorporate the egg whites without deflating them. Avoid stirring in a circular motion, as this will knock out the air you’ve worked so hard to incorporate. Instead, cut down through the middle of the mixture with your spatula, scrape along the bottom of the bowl, and fold up and over. Rotate the bowl a quarter turn and repeat until just incorporated.

Ensure there are no large lumps of egg white visible, but don’t overmix. The batter should look light and airy with a uniform color.

6. Baking Setup

Pour the batter into your prepared springform pan, gently smoothing the top with your spatula. Now for the crucial water bath setup: Place the springform pan inside a larger baking dish or roasting pan. Pour normal tap water into the outer pan until it reaches a height of about 3cm (just over an inch) up the sides of the springform pan.

Pro Tip: Springform pans aren’t typically watertight, so wrap the outside of your pan with aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping in. Start at the bottom and work your way up the sides, pressing the foil firmly against the pan.

7. Baking and Cooling Process

Carefully transfer the setup to the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. This may seem like a long time for such a delicate cake, but the water bath and low temperature create a gentle cooking environment.

Important: Do not open the oven door during baking! This sudden temperature change can cause the cake to collapse dramatically. Once the 45 minutes are up, turn off the oven but keep the cake inside with the door closed for an additional 30 minutes.

After this initial cooling period, crack the oven door open and allow the cake to continue cooling in the oven for another 30 minutes. This gradual cooling helps prevent the cake from sinking too much as it cools.

Once the cake has cooled to room temperature, refrigerate it for 2-3 hours or, ideally, overnight. This chilling period allows the cake to set properly and develops the flavor beautifully.

8. The Perfect Serve

When you’re ready to serve, carefully remove the cake from the springform pan by running a thin knife around the edges before releasing the clasp. Transfer to a serving plate and, if desired, dust lightly with powdered sugar for a finishing touch.

Pro Tip: For clean slices, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it dry between cuts. The cold cake will slice beautifully with a warm blade.

Important Considerations for Success

While this recipe is straightforward, a few key points make the difference between a good cloud cake and an exceptional one:

• Ensure there are no lumps in your batter: Lumps usually indicate that the egg whites haven’t been fully incorporated, which can lead to an uneven texture in the finished cake.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Once the egg whites are folded in, handle the mixture minimally to preserve as much air as possible. Overmixing will deflate the batter and result in a denser cake.
• Temperature matters: From room temperature eggs to the low oven setting, each temperature specification is intentional and important for achieving the perfect texture.
• Patience during cooling: The three-stage cooling process (closed oven, open oven, refrigerator) might seem excessive, but it’s essential for maintaining the cake’s structure and preventing collapse.

Flavor Variations

While the lemon version presented here offers a perfect balance of brightness and richness, this cloud cake can be adapted in numerous ways:

• Vanilla Bean: Replace the lemon juice and zest with 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste for a classic flavor profile.
• Orange: Substitute orange juice and zest for the lemon for a slightly sweeter citrus note.
• Coffee: Add 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the yolk mixture for a sophisticated coffee flavor.
• Chocolate: Fold in 2 tablespoons of sifted cocoa powder to the yolk mixture before adding the egg whites.

Each variation maintains the cloud-like texture while offering a new flavor experience.

Nutritional Information

For those mindful of dietary considerations, here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (assuming 8 servings per cake):

• Calories: 185
• Protein: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fat: 6g
• Sugar: 24g
• Sodium: 75mg

This dessert is naturally gluten-free, making it perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

About the Recipe Creator

This cloud cake recipe comes from Radwa, a passionate home cook who specializes in creating and testing simple, approachable recipes with maximum impact. After years of experimenting with complex desserts, Radwa developed this cloud cake as part of her mission to prove that extraordinary results don’t require extraordinary effort or ingredient lists.

“I believe the best recipes are ones that can be passed down through generations without intimidating new cooks,” says Radwa. “This cloud cake exemplifies that philosophy—it’s sophisticated enough for special occasions but simple enough for beginners.”

Community Feedback

The Recipe Tale community has embraced this cloud cake with enthusiastic reviews:

“I’ve made this three times now, and each time my family thinks I’ve spent hours in the kitchen. I’ll never tell them it only took me 15 minutes of active preparation!” – Maria

“As someone with celiac disease, finding delicious gluten-free desserts can be challenging. This cloud cake has become my go-to recipe for birthdays and celebrations. Thank you for this gem!” – Thomas

“The texture is unlike anything I’ve ever baked before—truly like eating a cloud. The lemon version is perfect, but I’ve also tried the coffee variation which was divine with after-dinner espresso.” – Sophia

Related Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you love this cloud cake, you might also enjoy these other popular desserts from our collection:

• Japanese Cheesecake: Another light and fluffy cake with a similar texture but different flavor profile
• Lemon Soufflé: For those who can’t get enough of that bright citrus flavor
• Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta: A simple, elegant dessert that uses two of the same ingredients
• Three-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse: Another impressive dessert with minimal ingredients

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Cloud Cake Recipe Card

Cloud Cake

A heavenly, 4-ingredient flourless cake with the texture of clouds

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Additional Time: 3 hours (cooling and chilling) Total Time: 4 hours Servings: 8 Calories: 185 per serving

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (125g) Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt)
• 1/2 cup (150g) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 160°C (340°F). Line a 20cm (8-inch) springform pan with parchment paper.
2. Separate eggs, placing whites and yolks in different bowls.
3. Mix egg yolks with condensed milk, lemon juice, zest, and yogurt until combined.
4. Whip egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
5. Gently fold whites into yolk mixture in three additions until just incorporated.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan. Place this pan in a larger pan and add water to create a 3cm-deep water bath.
7. Bake for 45 minutes. Without opening the door, turn off oven and let cake cool inside for 30 minutes. Then crack oven door open and cool for another 30 minutes before refrigerating for 2-3 hours or overnight.
8. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.

Notes:

• Ensure eggs are at room temperature for maximum volume.
• Do not open the oven during baking to prevent collapse.
• The cake will naturally sink somewhat as it cools—this is normal and creates the characteristic dense, custardy bottom layer.

Enjoy your slice of cloud heaven!

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