Part 2/7:
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
If you don't have cake flour on hand, you can substitute it with all-purpose flour by removing three tablespoons from a cup of flour and replacing it with two tablespoons of cornstarch.
Prepare Your Oven and Equipment
Set your oven to 350°F (about 175°C) with the rack positioned in the bottom third. This setting is crucial for allowing the cake to rise correctly.
Creating the Sugar Mixture
In a food processor, combine 1 and 3/4 cups of granulated sugar and process until it's super fine—almost resembling powdered sugar. This step is vital as finely dissolved sugar is essential for achieving fluffy egg whites. Reserve one cup of this mixture.