Pa de Pessic: Light Catalan Sponge Cake You Will Love 2026

Pa de pessic is a traditional Catalan sponge cake from the town of Vic, and it proves that great baking doesn't need a long ingredient list. With just eggs, sugar, flour and cornstarch, it bakes into a tender, airy cake that's perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

There's no baking powder here. All the lift comes from whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks, which gives the cake its impressive height and soft, spongy crumb. It's a simple technique that rewards you with a beautifully light result every time.

Because it isn't overly sweet, pa de pessic is wonderfully versatile. Serve it dusted with powdered sugar alongside hot chocolate, or use it as a base for layer cakes with chocolate, whipped cream or pastry cream. Bakers often use it for Easter monas as well.

Ingredients for Pa de Pessic

This makes 12 servings.

• 4 medium eggs, at room temperature
• 100 g sugar
• 25 g all-purpose flour
• 75 g cornstarch

You will also need a round 20 cm (8-inch) cake pan.

How to Make Pa de Pessic Step by Step

1. Whip the egg whites

Preheat the oven to 160 °C (320 °F). Separate the whites from the yolks of 4 room-temperature eggs. Place the whites in a bowl and beat them to stiff peaks with an electric whisk. Set aside.

2. Beat the sugar with the yolks

In another bowl, vigorously beat 100 g of sugar with the 4 yolks for 3 minutes, until the mixture doubles in volume and turns pale and creamy.

3. Sift in the flour and cornstarch

Mix 25 g of all-purpose flour with 75 g of cornstarch. Using a sieve, incorporate this mixture into the bowl with the yolks and sugar to prevent lumps from forming.

4. Add the whipped egg whites

Next, using a spatula, add the whipped egg whites to the bowl.

5. Fold until combined

Stir gently with the spatula, using folding motions, until the mixture is completely combined.

6. Pour the batter into the pan

Line a 20 cm (8-inch) round cake pan with parchment paper, or grease it with butter and dust with flour so the cake releases cleanly after baking. Pour in the batter.

7. Bake for 30 minutes

Bake the cake for 30 minutes at 160 °C (320 °F) with top and bottom heat, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once the time is up, remove the cake from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes on a cooling rack.

8. Unmold and cool completely

Unmold the cake and let it cool completely on the cooling rack.

9. Serve

Once cold, you can serve it dusted with powdered sugar, though this is optional.

Tips for the Best Pa de Pessic

Room-temperature eggs matter

Eggs at room temperature whip up faster and hold more air, which is what gives this cake its height. Take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start.

Add a little citrus aroma

If you like, you can flavor the batter with lemon or orange zest. Since the cake isn't very sweet, a little citrus lifts it beautifully.

Use the right pan

A 20 cm (8-inch) pan gives the cake a nice tall shape. Line it with parchment paper or grease and flour it so the delicate crumb releases cleanly.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite 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 texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing 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 comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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