Castella, or kasutera, came to Japan through Portuguese traders and became a Nagasaki specialty known for its fine, springy crumb and honeyed sweetness.
Warm eggs and sugar are whipped until very thick, then bread flour and a small honey mixture are folded in carefully to preserve the tall, even structure.
Line the pan neatly and tap it only once after filling; too much tapping deflates the foam that gives castella its height.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at room temperature in thick slices with green tea, black tea, or coffee.
Recipe Notes
Wrap the cooled cake tightly and rest it overnight before slicing. It keeps for four days at cool room temperature.
Japanese Castella Cake
A tall Japanese honey sponge with a smooth brown top and fine, moist, springy crumb.
Equipment
- 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan
- Parchment paper
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Instant-read thermometer
Ingredients
Cake
- 6 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup bread flour sifted twice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp warm water
- 2 tbsp whole milk warm
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
Instructions
Prepare:
- Heat the oven to 320 F (160 C). Line the loaf pan completely with parchment, leaving enough overhang to lift out the cake.
- Stir the honey, warm water, milk, and oil together until smooth.
Mix the Batter:
- Whip the eggs and sugar on high speed for 8 to 10 minutes until pale, very thick, and able to hold a ribbon on the surface.
- Sift in the bread flour in three additions, folding gently after each. Fold in the honey mixture just until no streaks remain.
Bake and Rest:
- Pour into the pan and run a skewer through the batter once to remove large air pockets. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until the top is evenly brown and the center reaches about 200 F (93 C).
- Cool for 5 minutes, lift out, and peel away the parchment. While slightly warm, wrap tightly. Rest for at least 12 hours before trimming and slicing.
Notes
- Bread flour gives castella its characteristic resilient crumb.
- Fold slowly from the bottom of the bowl so the dense flour and honey do not settle.
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 65mgSugar: 27g