Mini Sponge Cakes Recipe

Soft, fluffy, and lightly sweet — perfect for tea time or quick snack cakes!

These mini sponge cakes are incredibly simple to make and turn out beautifully airy thanks to the whipped eggs and sugar. They bake quickly, use everyday ingredients, and pair wonderfully with powdered sugar, jam, or a light glaze.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup sugar

• 3 eggs, room temperature

• ¼ cup vegetable oil

• ¼ cup lukewarm milk

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

 

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven & Pan

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Grease and flour a mini loaf pan or mini muffin pan. You can also line with paper cups for easier removal.

 

2. Whip the Eggs and Sugar

• In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes pale, thick, and very fluffy.

• This takes about 5 minutes with an electric mixer and is the secret to a light, airy sponge.

 

3. Incorporate the Wet Ingredients

• With the mixer running on low, slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil.

• Add the lukewarm milk and vanilla extract, mixing gently until the mixture is smooth.

 

4. Fold in the Dry Ingredients

• Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

• Using a spatula, gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients.

• Stop stirring as soon as everything is combined—overmixing will deflate the batter and make the cakes dense.

 

5. Bake

• Fill each cavity of your pan about ¾ full with batter.

• Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops are lightly golden.

 

6. Cool & Serve

• Allow the cakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

• Serve them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, drizzled with glaze, dipped in chocolate, or even split and filled with cream or jam.

 

Tips for Best Results

• Room-temperature eggs whip much better, creating more volume.

• Don’t skip the sifting — it keeps the sponge light.

• You can add lemon zest, orange zest, or a few drops of almond extract for extra flavor.