Angel Food Cake with Lemon Curd and Blueberry Compote
There’s nothing quite like a homemade dessert that looks like it belongs in a bakery window. This Angel Food Cake with Lemon Curd and Blueberry Compote isn’t just a treat—it’s a show-stopper! The fluffy cake, rich lemon curd, and sweet-tangy blueberry compote come together beautifully, making this a dessert to remember.
It’s light yet indulgent, striking the perfect balance between tart and sweet. Whether it’s for a special celebration or just because, this cake is bound to wow your family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fluffy & Light: The angel food cake is perfectly airy and rises beautifully in a tube pan.
- Tart & Sweet: The homemade lemon curd and blueberry compote bring the ultimate flavor combination.
- Impressive Presentation: With its glossy toppings and vibrant colors, this dessert steals the show.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece:
Angel Food Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup cake flour, sifted
- 12 egg whites (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup warm water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
Lemon Curd:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup lemon juice (use fresh lemons!)
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter (cut into tablespoons)
- ⅛ tsp salt
Blueberry Compote:
- 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries
- 3 cups tart cherry juice
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 cup sugar
- Zest and juice of 2 oranges
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Angel Food Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and position your oven rack in the middle.
- Process the sugar in a food processor for 2 minutes to make it fine. Set aside half the sugar to mix with the sifted flour and salt.
- In an electric mixer, beat egg whites, water, cream of tartar, and vanilla extract until foamy. Gradually add the remaining sugar and beat until you get medium peaks.
- Fold in the flour mixture gently, ⅓ at a time. Do not overmix.
- Spoon the batter into an ungreased tube pan (don’t grease the pan—it helps the cake rise). Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Once baked, invert the pan onto a bottle or stand to cool completely before removing the cake.
2. Make the Lemon Curd
- Combine eggs, lemon juice, zest, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Lower the heat and add the butter, a few tablespoons at a time, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Strain the curd through a mesh sieve to ensure it’s silky smooth. Cool completely in the refrigerator before using.
3. Make the Blueberry Compote
- Add blueberries, cherry juice, ginger, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and salt to a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until reduced to about ⅓ inch of liquid in the pan.
- Stir in cornstarch and cook for an additional minute to thicken.
- Let the compote cool to room temperature.
4. Assemble the Cake
- Carefully remove the cooled angel food cake from the tube pan.
- Spread a layer of lemon curd over the top and drizzle with blueberry compote.
- For extra flair, garnish with fresh mint or additional lemon zest.
Pro Tips
- Egg Whites: Make sure no yolks sneak into your whites, or they won’t whip properly.
- Don’t Grease the Pan: The cake needs to stick to the sides to rise tall and fluffy.
- Cooling: Let the cake cool upside down to maintain its structure.