Vanilla Chiffon Cake
Vanilla Chiffon Cake! “Chiffon” is a great word. It sounds pretty and it conjures up images of softness, airiness and luxury, like the namesake fabric. Those are all lovely traits for a cake, no? Who doesn’t want a cake that is soft, airy and luxurious?
Table of contents
What is Chiffon Cake?
What makes chiffon cake unique is the fact that it’s sort-of a cross between a rich buttery cake and an airy sponge cake. It’s got the best of both worlds.
The lightness comes from first whipping up the yolks with the other ingredients and then folding in whipped egg whites. There’s also a generous dose of baking powder in the batter to help expand all those air bubbles.
When baked in an ungreased tube pan, this cake puffs up super-high and is light as a cloud.
Because there’s oil in the cake, it stay soft even when refrigerated.
That means this is the perfect base for cakes that require refrigeration. One of my favorite ways to use vanilla chiffon cake is to make a spectacular cream-filled Strawberry Tall Cake. You could also fill this cake with light and airy Fresh Strawberry Mousse.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Cake Flour – Low protein cake flour makes a very tender cake. I prefer bleached cake flour for the softest crumb, but unbleached cake flour will work.
- Oil – The oil not only adds moisture to the cake, but also coats the flour which prevents gluten formation. Oil stays liquid when chilled, so the cake will stay soft, even when refrigerated.
- Eggs – The eggs form the structure for the cake. Since the eggs are whisked the cake is very light.
- Baking Powder – It looks like a lot of baking powder in the recipe. But this cake needs to rise high in the oven. The structure from the eggs will support the air in in the cake and the baking powder will expand those bubbles for the lightest cake.
Process Photos
See the recipe card for detailed measurements and instructions.
- Combine the eggs, oil, water and in a mixing bowl.
- Mix until the ingredients are emulsified.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
- Increase the speed to high and whip for 1 minute. Set the bowl aside.
- Whip the whites with sugar until the reach full peak.
- Fold the whites into the batter.
- Spread the batter into the pan. Bake until the middle of the cake springs back with lightly pressed.
- Cool the cake in the tube pan upside down so it doesn’t collapse.
- If you bake the batter in regular round pans cool right side up.
FAQs about Vanilla Chiffon Cake:
Chiffon cakes are traditionally baked in an angel food cake pan. The batter can also be baked in two 8 inch x 3 inch round pans to make a layer cake. This recipe can also be baked into a dozen cupcakes (use cupcake liners).
If the cake is baked in a tube pan, treat it like an angel food cake and cool it upside down. Cool layer cakes in the pans.
If you baked the cake in a tube pan and greased the pan the cake can sink. If you took the cake out of the pan before it was completely cooled, or if you didn’t cool it upside down, the cake could sink. If you overwhip the eggs your cake won’t rise as high as it could.
A chiffon cake will stay fresh at room temperature (if it doesn’t have a filling) for 3-4 days.
A cake without filling can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days. If the cake has a perishable filling, it should be refrigerated.
Yes, because it’s made with oil instead of butter, chiffon cake will be soft even if refrigerated.
Yes, wrap the cake in two layers of plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also freeze individually wrapped slices. Defrost in the wrapping at room temperature.
You also should try my Lemon Chiffon cake and Chocolate Chiffon cake recipes.
I have so many cake recipe for you to try. Vanilla Buttermilk Cake, White Cake, Vanilla Butter Cake, Chocolate Butter Cake, Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake, Genoise sponge cake, Angel Food Cake and Chocolate Genoise.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a star rating and a quick comment. Ratings and comments help my recipes show in search results. Thanks!
Vanilla Chiffon Cake
Ingredients
- 3 ½ oz vegetable oil (½ cup)
- 6 large eggs (room temp, separated)
- 6 oz water (¾ cup)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 10 oz cake flour (2 ¼ cups, see note)
- 12 oz granulated sugar (1 ½ cups, divided)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon table salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 °F. For a traditional chiffon cake, use an ungreased 10" tube pan. If you want to make a layer cake line two 8”x3" cake pans with parchment paper or butter and flour the bottom of the pans only.
- Combine 3 ½ oz vegetable oil, 6 egg yolks, 6 oz water and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract in a mixer bowl. Mix on medium speed until well combined.
- Sift 10 oz cake flour with 1 cup of the sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder and ½ teaspoon table salt. With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients to yolk mixture. Whip on high speed for 1 minute, then set aside
- Whip 6 egg whites on medium speed to soft peak. Gradually add the remaining ½ cup sugar, increase the speed to medium high and whip to full peak. Fold the whites into the yolk mixture in three increments.
- If making a layer cake, divide the batter between the two pans. If you're using a tube pan, pour all the batter into the pan. Bake until the middle of the cake springs back with lightly pressed, 30-35 minutes for the layers or about 50-60 minutes for the tube pan.
- Cool the cake completely in the pan. If using a tube pan cool the pan upside down.
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Hi
Done this cake with amount ingredients for a 7′ tube pan.
Can I double check that the amount of baking powder is actually 1 tablespoon?
It seems a lot. I have not found any chiffon cake with similar amounts of ingredients having a tablespoon of baking powder.
My cake has basically exploded!
Thank you
I halved the ingredients and left out quite a bit of batter to fill just over half pan. I couldn’t edit my initial post
Yes, I’ve made this cake many times and the amounts are correct. If you read through the post I note that I use a generous amount of baking powder to get a big lift along with the whipped eggs. I do this purposely to make a very, very light crumb. What height is your 7″ tube pan? The cake was tested in a 10″ angel food cake pan that is 4″ tall. The volume of that pan is 16 cups. The volume of a 7″ x 3″ tube pan would be 6 cups. So you’d need just 1/3 the batter of the full recipe in that pan.
(Posting a new comment because I don’t see a way to edit my first one.) I’m seeing in the comments that it actually is intended for layer pans with 3″ sides. So the pans listed are probably correct after all. Noting the layer pan height on the recipe would be helpful. 🙂
I’ve edited the instructions to note the pan height.
Delicious, airy cake. Took a while, but then good things do come to those who wait. Giving 4 stars instead of 5 because of the pan size instructions. The recipe calls for 2, 8-inch layer pans for a single batch. I made a double batch, but instead of taking 4, 8-inch pans, it took 3, 9-inch pans and a 9×13 inch pan (about the equivalent of two more layer pans). Otherwise a very good recipe!
Are the eggs room temperature or just out of the refrigerator? Thanks
Room temperature would whip up better. I’ll edit the recipe. Thanks.
I would like to make this cake recipe in cupcake form. How many do you think it would make? How long to cook?
I haven’t done it so I can say for sure, but I would estimate about 18 cupcakes. Time would probably be 10 minutes or so.
Can I bake this cake in a 10-cup Bundt pan? Thank you.
Yes, that should work ok.
Thank you.
Hi! Would I be able to bake this in two 10 inch pans?
Two 10″ pans would make fairly thin layers. It depends what you’re going for.
I’ve seen chiffon cakes with milk instead of water. Could this recipe be replaced with 2% milk?
I have 8 inch pans that are only 1 1/2 inches Or 9 inch pans also 1 1/2 inches.
Which would work better and how long would the bake time be?
I couldn’t say how substituting milk for water would affect the cake since I haven’t tried it. I like the texture of the cake as is so I’m not sure you need to use milk instead. If you only have shorter pans you may want to bake 3 or 4 layers since the cake would probably overflow the pans. Don’t fill the pan more than about 2/3 full.
Could I sub gluten-free flour for this recipe?
I would think a commercial gluten free flour would work.
Hello! I have these baking strips to put around the cake pans to prevent the domes from forming. Would I be able to use them to get even layers or would you not recommend them?
Thank you.
You can use the cake strips. They do work to make the cake bake more level.
Can I use two 9 inch x 2 inch pans? These are all the pans I have. Would the batter over flow?
I think you’d be pushing it with 2″ tall pans. I would divide the batter in 3. Bake the first two cakes. Then when the cakes come out of the oven reuse one of the pans for a third layer.
Could I use 4”,6” and 8” pans to make a tiered cake?
Yes. Since this recipe fills two 8″x3″ pans, you probably want to double the recipe to fill all three pans.
If I would want to make this a lemon chiffon cake, how would you suggest doing that; maybe with limoncello? Also, all I have is 8×2 pans, is that deep enough?
To flavor the cake with lemon, use finely grated lemon zest and lemon extract. You can use 8″x2″ pans but don’t fill them more than half way.
Can you sub out the water for lemoncello?
Yes, I think that would work.
I tried this cake, but when it came out of the oven and for me to hang it, it took 2 minutes and then fell out of the pan. Is that supposed to happen.
Did you grease the pan or use a non stick pan?
Could I make this into a chocolate chiffon? How much cocoa powder should I use? Thank you!
Yes, I do need to get on it to post a chocolate chiffon recipe. I haven’t tested it yet, but I would try replacing 1/2 cup of flour with cocoa.
Why aren’t my egg whites becoming “soft peak”
I don’t know. Maybe the bowl wasn’t clean enough or maybe some yolk got into the whites? Are you using fresh egg whites?
Hi Eileen,
If I wanted to make this into cupcakes, how many do you think it would make? Will it overfill as if rises? And around what temp?
Thank you in advance!
I would guess it would make 24 cupcakes. Don’t fill the cups more than 2/3 full to give it plenty of room to rise.
If I wanted to make this into a half sheet cake, would that be possible? Anyone know the exact measurements?
Thank you!
Hi Christina, you can bake the batter in two half sheet pans. The layers will be thinner. If you want one thick half sheet cake then you can bake the batter in one pan.
@Eileen Gray, do you know what temperature and for how many minutes? Thank you so much for responding back!
Same temp. But in a shallow sheet pan it will bake much faster. I would start checking on it after 10 minutes.
I gave this cake a 5 star rating as my go to recipe. Perfect everytime.
Please can you advise what filling you made with the fresh strawberries.
Thank you Gillian
Yes, this Strawberry Tall Cake uses the chiffon cake.
Hi Eileen,
I have tried many many chiffon recipe…none is as good as yours. I just made yours today and it became so nice and fluffy and quite high. Thank you for this easy recipe.
Regards
Shan
Hi Eileen,
I tried to find a response in previous comments but can’t
Ingredients says
2 ¼ cups = 10 oz, 280 g cake flour
1 ½ cups = 12 oz, 336g granulated sugar
Is there really more sugar than flour or is the conversation wrong?
Thank you
Sendrine
There is more sugar than flour by weight. The eggs do a lot of the structure building in this cake. More sugar makes a more tender cake. There’s more information in this post about cake formulas if you’re interested.
Can we use butter instead of vegetables oil while using this method of mixing? If yes, how much butter is to be used?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure what the result would be. You could replace with the same amount of melted butter.
I normally dont comment on recipes Ive tried but i HAD to for this recipe! It was amazing and super easy to make! Ive always been scared to make a chiffon cake but this recipe definitely eased my mind.
Guys, Thanks For sharing this Great Recipe. My Family Loved it. I am definitely sharing this recipe and this website with my friend. Hope they also love it. Thank you again for sharing such a great recipe.
Overall a great recipe! I was actually quite surprised by how fluffy the batter was and the cake in general. It’s pretty interesting that there are two leavening agents used in this recipe – fluffed-up egg white as well as the baking powder.
I’m also not sure why, but I my cake had a slightly bitter taste on the top of the cake that I presume is due to the tablespoon of baking powder. It wasn’t apparent within the cake, however, it was distasteful enough to me that I had to cut off the tops of my cakes. I’ll most likely adjust the baking powder next time to perhaps 2 teaspoons or so. Otherwise, a great recipe and very easy too!
Thank you for this 🙂
Can i use this recipe for 10x10x2 square pan? The first time i made a chiffon cake it was okay then the 2nd time i tried adding 1 egg because the recipe i followed says 6 large eggs but we only have small eggs, the upper part is kinda sticky, some parts of the cake are dry and other parts are moist. I just want my chiffoncake to be moist and not dry
Have you been using this recipe or another one? Regarding the eggs, 6 large eggs would weigh about 10.5 oz (without shell). I’m not sure of the weight of a small egg, but use enough that you have 10.5 oz total. Baking in a 10″ square pan should be fine. Don’t fill the pan more than about 2/3 full since it won’t bake from the center as it does in a tube pan. As far has the cake having dry spots, moist spots and sticky spots- that sounds like a mixing problem.
Hello, I baked the cake in a 12x12x2 inch rectangular pan for 33 minutes, sometimes they came out dry and i think it’s because I over baked them. Does the height of the batter in the pan changes the baking time? Thank you.
Yes, the height of the batter and the shape of the pan can make a big difference. Also, baking times are always just an estimate. How quickly the cake bakes can be affected by the material, weight and color of the pan, by the room temp and by the accuracy of your oven. Use the time listed in the recipe as a guideline but go more by the touch and toothpick test.
Thank you, your recipe always gives me great results every time I make them. It’s really delicious, soft and kind of melts in your mouth. I always used this for my cakes and got a good response from my friends and family even though it’s a little bit dry. They don’t mind but I do so thanks for the advice, I will keep this in mind. Thank you so much.
Hello Can I use 3- 6 inch pan for this recipe?
Yes, you might have some extra better which you can use to make cupcakes.
Hi.. May i know if the eggs should b at room temperature?
Yes, they will whip better.
Hi! Can I pour all the mixture in a 9×3 inch round bake pan instead of tube pan? Thank you!❤
I think it would probably bake OK in a 9×13, but I can’t say for certain since I haven’t tried it.
Hello, please can I use all purpose flour in the absence of cake flour as well as the substitute cornstarch.thanks
Yes. For each cup of cake flour use 3/4 cup of all purpose flour plus 2 tablespoon of corn starch.
Hi! I’m from the UK and we don’t have cake flour here. It’s only plain flour (all purpose) or self raising flour. Would plain flour work as a good substitute for cake flour? Thank you 🙂
As a replacement, for each cup of cake flour use 3/4 cup of “plain” flour plus 2 tablespoons of corn starch. There’s more information about cake flour in this post.
I loved this cake! Thank you so much. The only thing I found was that it was quite sweet. Can I reduce the Mount of sugar or will it affect the rise and texture?
Changing the amount of sugar will change the texture of the cake.
Hi could please tell me substitute for eggs I want to make it eggless version.
Sorry, I couldn’t give a good substitute without extensive research and testing. The eggs are an important part of the structure for this cake.
I made this a couple of weeks ago and it turned out so good! I wanted to use the same recipe for my daughter’s birthday cake but turn it into a confetti cake. Do you think the cake can support Jimmy sprinkles added to it? Any advice is appreciated!
I haven’t tried it, but I would think so. I would fold the sprinkles into the batter just before folding in the egg whites.
Hi Eileen!
Thank you for the posting this wonderful recipe. I baked this for my daughter’s birthday and it was delightful. I used two different sized pans to make it a tier cake.
I baked it a second time though using half the recipe in a 8*2 inch pan, my cake did rise but shrunk and deflated after taking out from the oven. And wasn’t light airy fluffy like the first time I baked it. It’s dense and flat 🙁 in your experience what could I have done wrong? An idea?
Thanks!
I couldn’t say for sure. Are you sure you halved all the ingredients, including the baking powder? Are you sure the cake was baked through?
Hi Eileen! Thank for replying, Yes I used exactly half the ingredients, including baking powder. I baked the cake for 30 mins and it was cooked through, I’ll try again I guess till it’s perfect 🙂
I made this cake using the suggested Grand Marnier…it was the BEST cake I’ve ever tasted…THE BEST!! I want to make this cake again but I’m out of strawberries and was wondering if I could substitute blueberries instead? If so, would I still use the Grand Marnier?
You could use any fresh berries in this cake. I like lemon and blueberry so Limoncello would be a nice pairing. But Grand Marnier would be good too.
Hi, please reply this asap! Do we use large eggs or small eggs for this recipe? Also can someone please explain the part about cooling it upside down? Thanks so much!
My recipes always use large eggs. I’ve updated the recipe card to note they are large eggs. If you bake the cake in a tube pan, cooling it upside down keeps it from sinking as it cools. If you bake the cake in round pans for a layer cake, cool the cake upright.
Can I use orange juice instead of water? The size of my tube pan is 8′.. How to reduce this recipe to fit in my 8′ tube pan? Please reply. Thank you.
Yes to the orange juice. If you want an orange cake I would also recommend putting the finely grated orange zest in the batter as well. The zest has the orange oil which has more orange flavor than the juice does. This is a big recipe, so if you have a smaller pan you can maybe do 2/3 of the batter or mix the entire batter and bake extra in cupcake pans.
If I wanted to make this is chocolate do I sub. Some flour for Dutch cocoa?
Cake flour: 226 + 54g cocoa=280?
Thanks regards
Yes, that should work.
Would you mind giving me the ratio of flour and cocoa in cups?
Do you want to know how much flour and cocoa to use (in cups) to make this a chocolate cake? If so, try using 1 3/4 cups of flour and 1/2 cup of cocoa.
If i want to bake this in cupcake form, how long should I bake them for?
I can’t say exactly, but I would start checking after 10 minutes. When you press the center of a cupcake and it springs back, it’s done.
Hi !
I was wondering if you did some testing about substituing some of the water for cream and/or buttermilk ?
I thought because in a chiffon cake we use oil for a super moist cake instead of butter. I was thinking using cream ínstead of water would give a nice taste. What do you think ? Would you recommand it ? If yes would you make any adjustment ? Can you still refrigerate if you do with cream, because cream is a liquid fat ?
I was also wondering why we put water ínstead of buttermilk, since buttermilk make moist and tender cake ?
Thank you 🙂
The oil contributes both fat and moisture to the batter. Using cream instead of water would add more fat to the recipe and might make the cake too dense. The chiffon cake just have a different flavor and texture profile than a Buttermilk Cake. It is supposed to be light and fluffy. Adding cream of buttermilk would change the texture.
Thank you for thé info 🙂
Hi, are these ingredients for two 8″ pan or for one 8″ pan only? Hope you notice my comment, thank you.
Two 8″ pans as shown in the video.
I made this for my mum for her birthday and the recipe was great! I didn’t have cake flour so did the cornstarch substitute and it seemed to work perfectly. I did my cakes in two 8” rounds, and cut each in half to make four tiers, and it was the perfect amount. I also cooled my cakes in the tin upside down since that seems to be the thing to do with chiffon cakes and it did the trick. Absolutely perfect recipe – the cake was light, fluffy, and super tasty!!! Definitely will continue using this recipe and definitely would recommend!!!!!!
It’s like eating a cloud, isn’t it?