Convent Cake Recipe: Spain's Famous Fluffy Sponge Cake 2026

Convent cake, or bizcocho de convento, is a wonderfully light and airy Spanish sponge cake that became famous after two nuns shared their closely guarded recipe on television. It is tall, tender and subtly sweet, with a delicate vanilla aroma that fills the kitchen as it bakes.

What makes this cake so special is its simple method: whipped egg whites give it a cloud-like crumb, while milk and sunflower oil keep it beautifully moist. You do not even need a scale, since everything is measured with a 150 ml glass, though gram equivalents are included for convenience.

Serve it dusted with powdered sugar for breakfast, as an afternoon snack or alongside a cup of coffee. It keeps well for several days and is a lovely homemade treat for any occasion.

Ingredients for Convent Cake

This recipe makes 16 servings.

• 4 medium eggs
• 2 glasses of sugar (300 g)
• 1 glass of milk (150 ml)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 glass of sunflower oil (150 ml)
• 3 glasses of wheat flour (300 g)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder (15 g)
• 1 pinch of salt
• 25 g powdered sugar

How to Make Convent Cake Step by Step

1. Whip the egg whites and preheat the oven

Separate the whites and yolks of 4 medium eggs. Beat the 4 egg whites to stiff peaks with an electric whisk, then gradually add 1 glass of sugar at the end of beating. Set aside and preheat the oven to 160 °C (320 °F).

2. Beat the sugar with the yolks

In another bowl, beat the 4 egg yolks with 1 glass of sugar for 3 minutes until you get a pale, whitish cream that has doubled in volume.

3. Add the milk, vanilla and oil

Slowly pour in 1 glass of milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 glass of sunflower oil while continuing to beat.

4. Fold in the egg whites

Gently fold in the whipped egg whites little by little with a spatula so the mixture does not lose volume.

5. Mix in the flour, baking powder and salt

In a bowl, mix 3 glasses of flour with 1 tablespoon of baking powder and 1 pinch of salt. Sift this into the batter and fold with a spatula until well incorporated.

6. Pour the batter into the pan

Line a 26 cm springform pan with baking paper and pour the batter into it.

7. Bake for 1 hour at 160 °C

Bake at 160 °C (320 °F) with top and bottom heat for 1 hour, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes in the pan on a wire rack.

8. Unmold, cool and serve with powdered sugar

Unmold the cake and let it cool completely. Before serving, dust it with 25 g of powdered sugar.

Tips for the Best Convent Cake

Use room-temperature ingredients

Bring the eggs and milk to room temperature before starting. This helps the egg whites whip to their fullest volume and gives the batter a smoother, more even texture.

Line the pan generously

Because this cake rises high and is very light, use a springform pan and line it completely with baking paper, including the sides up to about 10 cm. This ensures it releases cleanly after baking.

Customize the flavor

You can personalize this cake by adding aromas such as lemon or orange zest, anise liqueur or Grand Marnier. Add them along with the vanilla for a subtle twist.

30 Top Dishes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Much like me, you probably like having a rotation of fuss-free comfort dishes, well-known global plates, and desserts that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, I tend to reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And any time a fruity, cozy dessert sounds good, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

On mornings when I want something quick and on lighter days, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, I'm fond of making this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I switch between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crunchy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit fancier.

Come lunchtime cravings or a cozy evening meal, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Any time street-food style or party-ready plates are calling, I'll usually fix this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a light starter or snack.

And when drinks plus a whole spread are on the agenda for company, I'll typically serve dinner alongside this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. Then to fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes to Cook for Loved Ones

After years of trying and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the greatest dishes balance ease, dependable methods, and big flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the very ones I keep coming back to, time and again—whether I'm throwing together a fast meal just for me or putting on something memorable for friends and family.

For a sweet finish, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to whenever I want something elegant yet effortless. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe shows exactly how I make it at home.

Whenever something light and uncomplicated is what I'm craving, I reach for the familiar Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For fuller comfort meals, I'm quick to point to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm equally fond of passing along dishes rooted in tradition from across the globe, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the timeless Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that baked pasta classics can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying minus the gluten.

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