Bonjour! Here is a big, comprehensive recipe for the “Cloud Cake” or “Blender Cake,” presented with all the sections you requested. This dessert is so beloved that people make it multiple times a week .
The Ultimate Cloud Cake (Blender Cake)
The “Just Put Everything in the Blender” Dessert You’ll Make Twice a Week
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Introduction
Imagine a dessert so light and airy it melts in your mouth like a cloud, yet so simple you can make it without even pulling out a mixer. This is the “Cloud Cake,” a revolutionary dessert that has taken home bakers by storm. The magic lies in its incredible simplicity: you just put everything in the blender, press a button, and out comes a flawlessly fluffy cake that tastes like it came from a fancy bakery .
This recipe has become a twice-a-week staple in countless kitchens because it removes all the fear and fuss from baking. There is no need to cream butter, whip egg whites, or carefully fold ingredients. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute guests, or when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to turn your kitchen upside down . This guide will walk you through everything, from the history of this clever method to the nutritional benefits, ensuring your Cloud Cake is perfect every time.
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The History of the Blender Cake
While a traditional cake has a long and storied history, the “blender cake” is a modern innovation born out of mid-20th-century convenience. As electric blenders became a common household appliance in the 1940s and 50s, home cooks began experimenting with ways to simplify their time in the kitchen. The idea was simple: if a blender could crush ice and puree soup, why couldn’t it mix a cake batter? .
This method represents a shift from classic European baking techniques, which often require precise hand-mixing to incorporate air, to a more accessible, American-style convenience. The Cloud Cake, in particular, is a testament to this philosophy, proving that you don’t need decades of experience to create a dessert with a professional-quality texture. It’s a recipe born from the desire for comfort, community, and efficiency—a dessert meant to be shared without the stress .
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The Benefits of This Dessert
Why has this dessert become a global sensation? The benefits go beyond its incredible taste :
· Incredibly Easy & Fast: The most obvious benefit. With just a blender, you can have batter ready in under 5 minutes.
· Minimal Mess: Only one appliance to clean—the blender pitcher. No dirty mixing bowls, whisks, or beaters.
· Foolproof Texture: The blender perfectly emulsifies the wet ingredients (eggs, milk, oil), creating a stable, airy batter that rises evenly and results in an exceptionally tender, cloud-like crumb.
· Versatile & Customizable: This recipe is a blank canvas. You can easily adapt it with different extracts, zests, or mix-ins to create countless flavor variations .
· Budget-Friendly: It uses simple, pantry-staple ingredients that are easy to keep on hand .
· Beginner-Approved: It removes the “fear factor” from baking, making it the perfect recipe for children or first-time bakers to build confidence .
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The Formation: What Makes it a “Cloud”?
The unique, airy texture of this cake, its “formation,” is a direct result of the blender’s action. When you first blend the eggs and sugar, the blades incorporate millions of tiny air bubbles into the mixture, creating a pale and frothy base . This is the foundation of the cake’s lift.
Then, when you add the flour and baking powder and give it a final quick pulse, you’re distributing the dry ingredients evenly without knocking out all that precious air you just created. As the cake bakes, the air bubbles expand, and the baking powder releases carbon dioxide, working together to create the fine, even crumb that gives the cake its signature cloud-like softness. The key is not to over-blend at the end, as that would develop the gluten too much and result in a dense, tough cake .
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Who Are the Lovers of This Cake?
The lovers of this cake are as diverse as the variations it can inspire. They include :
· The Busy Parent: Who needs a quick and reliable dessert to satisfy their family’s sweet tooth without a lengthy cleanup.
· The Beginner Baker: Who wants to create something impressive but is intimidated by complex recipes.
· The College Student: With limited kitchen equipment and a tight budget, who can whip this up with a simple blender.
· The Experienced Home Cook: Who appreciates the elegance of simplicity and returns to this recipe again and again for its perfect, dependable results.
· The Health-Conscious Indulger: Who can control the ingredients, opting for less sugar or alternative milks, and knows exactly what’s going into their treat.
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The Recipe: Classic Vanilla Cloud Cake
Here is the complete recipe to make this beloved dessert.
Ingredients
Ingredient Quantity Notes
Large Eggs 4 Room temperature is best for volume .
Granulated Sugar 1 cup (200g) Provides sweetness and helps stabilize the batter .
Whole Milk 1 cup (240ml) Adds moisture and softness; any milk (dairy or plant-based) works .
Vegetable Oil 1/2 cup (120ml) Keeps the cake moist for days; can substitute with melted butter .
Vanilla Extract 1 tsp For warm flavor .
All-Purpose Flour 2 cups (250g) Provides structure .
Baking Powder 1 tbsp (15g) Essential for lift; make sure it’s fresh .
Salt 1 pinch Balances the sweetness .
Optional Zest of 1 lemon or orange For a bright, fresh flavor .
Equipment Needed
· Blender (stand or immersion)
· 8 or 9-inch round cake pan (or 9×13 inch sheet pan)
· Parchment paper or butter/grease for the pan
· Toothpick or cake tester
· Wire cooling rack
Instructions: Methods & Steps
Step 1: Preparation (The Foundation)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) . Grease your chosen cake pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray and dust with flour, or line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal .
Step 2: Blend the Wet Base (Incorporate Air)
In your blender, combine the eggs and sugar. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes pale, frothy, and has significantly increased in volume. This step is crucial for creating the light texture .
Add the milk, oil, vanilla extract, and salt (and optional citrus zest). Blend again for 30-45 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth .
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients (The Final Pulse)
Add the flour and baking powder to the blender. Crucial Step: Pulse the blender just a few times until the flour is incorporated and the batter is smooth. Do not over-blend! Over-mixing at this stage will develop the gluten and deflate the air bubbles, resulting in a dense cake . If needed, use a spatula to give it a final gentle stir.
Step 4: Bake (The Transformation)
Pour the batter immediately into your prepared pan. Bake for 25-35 minutes (for a round cake pan) or 35-40 minutes (for a 9×13 pan). The cake is done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean .
Step 5: Cool & Serve (The Reward)
Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. Then, turn it out onto the rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar, or top with whipped cream and berries before serving .
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Nutrition (Approximate per serving, 1/8 of cake)
This is an estimate and will vary based on specific ingredients used.
· Calories: 240-320 kcal
· Carbohydrates: 35-45g
· Protein: 5-6g
· Fat: 10-15g
· Saturated Fat: 2-4g
· Sugar: 20-28g
· Fiber: <1g
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Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this cake is how easily it adapts .
· Lemon Cloud Cake: Add the zest of one lemon to the wet ingredients. For an extra punch, drizzle with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and lemon juice after baking.
· Chocolate Cloud Cake: Replace 1/4 cup of the flour with 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. Add it with the rest of the dry ingredients .
· Coconut Cloud Cake: Substitute half of the milk with coconut milk and add 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to the batter after blending.
· Cinnamon Sugar Cloud Cake: Before baking, swirl 2 tablespoons of melted butter mixed with 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon into the top of the batter .
· Fruit Blender Dessert: For a no-bake option, try the creamy fruit version: blend 1 cup milk, 1 cup yogurt, 1 cup fruit (like banana or mango), honey to taste, and ice for a refreshing treat .
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Conclusion
In a world where time is precious but the desire for homemade comfort remains strong, the Cloud Cake stands out as a true hero. It’s a dessert that proves you don’t need to be a pastry chef to create something beautiful and delicious. It’s a recipe built on trust—trust that your blender can work magic, and trust that simplicity often yields the most satisfying results.
Whether you enjoy it plain with a cup of tea, dressed up with berries for a dinner party, or as a base for your own creative flavor experiments, this “just put everything in the blender” cake is destined to become a beloved favorite. So go ahead, give it a try, and discover why so many people make it twice a week. And once you do, be sure to share it—because great recipes are always better when they’re passed on .