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Authentic Japanese Nagasaki Castella Cake

groups8 servingsspeedMediumcountertopsPrep: 40 minsskilletCook: 70 minsscheduleTotal: 110 minsoutdoor_grillBaked
Allergens:warningEggswarningGluten

Allergen labels are AI-generated and may be incomplete or wrong. If you have a food allergy, always verify every ingredient yourself.

Recipe details are AI-generated from the video and may contain errors — for reference only.

skilletInstruction

14 Steps Total
01
Preparation
00:00:18

Line the wooden cake frame with 3 sheets of baking paper and folded printing paper, making sure the bottom and all four sides are neatly covered.

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Watch out

The paper must fit tightly against the inner walls of the wooden frame, otherwise batter may leak through gaps.

Tools:wooden cake framebaking paper
02
Preparation
00:01:23

In a glass bowl, combine 300g egg yolks and 7g brandy. Whisk manually until fully incorporated.

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Watch out

Mix until smooth and uniform

do not whip the yolks into a fluffy pale state

Ingredients:Egg Yolk (300 g)brandy (7 g)
Tools:glass bowlwhisk
03
Preparation
00:01:37

Squeeze fresh lemons using a juicer, then strain through a mesh sieve to collect 40g of clear lemon juice.

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Watch out

Be sure to strain out pulp and seeds to keep the cake batter smooth.

Ingredients:lemon juice (40 g)
Tools:sievecitrus juicer
04
Active Cooking
00:01:58

Pour 440g egg whites into the stand mixer bowl and add 400g fine sugar. Stir manually first, then attach to the mixer and stir on low speed until sugar is fully dissolved.

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Watch out

The mixer bowl and whisk must be completely clean and oil-free, otherwise the egg whites won't whip.

Ingredients:Egg white (440 g)fine sugar (400 g)
Tools:stand mixer
05
Preparation
00:02:16

Set a sieve over a piece of parchment paper. Add 240g bread flour and 80g cake flour, then sift thoroughly.

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Watch out

Sift thoroughly to eliminate lumps so the cake crumb will be smooth.

Ingredients:Bread flour (240 g)Cake flour (80 g)
Tools:flour sifter
06
Active Cooking
00:02:37

Turn mixer to medium speed (speed 8) and whip the egg whites until glossy and smooth, reaching soft to medium peaks. Test density with a 100ml cup; the ideal weight is 26g/100ml.

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Watch out

Do not whip to stiff peaks, or the cake will over-expand and collapse, leaving a dry crumb.

Tools:stand mixerdigital scale
07
Active Cooking
00:03:13

Reduce mixer to low speed and slowly pour the prepared egg yolk mixture into the meringue. Mix until evenly light golden yellow.

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Watch out

Keep mixer speed low and pour slowly to prevent deflating the meringue.

Tools:stand mixer
08
Active Cooking
00:03:23
warningStay safe

Be careful of hot surfaces when handling the warmed saucepan.

In a small saucepan, combine 60g honey and 40g strained lemon juice. Heat over low heat on a stove, stirring with a whisk until the thermometer reads 50°C–60°C, then remove from heat.

local_fire_departmentLow heat, warm to 50°C–60°C
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Watch out

Keep temperature strictly between 50°C–60°C

if too hot, it will curdle the eggs

Ingredients:honey (60 g)
Tools:Saucepaninfrared thermometer
09
Active Cooking
00:03:35

With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour the warm honey-lemon mixture along the edge of the bowl into the batter. Mix on low speed until combined.

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Watch out

Pour slowly down the side of the bowl

do not dump it all into the center

Tools:stand mixer
10
Active Cooking
00:03:42

With the mixer on low speed, add the sifted flour mixture in batches. Once dry flour disappears, stop the machine. Scrape the sides and bottom with a rubber spatula and gently fold manually until smooth. Test density with a 100ml cup; target around 50g/100ml.

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Watch out

Do not over-mix during manual folding, or gluten will develop and spoil the tender texture.

Tools:silicone spatulastand mixer
11
Active Cooking
00:05:02

Pour the batter into the lined wooden frame from a slight height. Spray a light mist of water on the surface, then use a scraper card to smooth the top and pop large air bubbles.

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Watch out

Use a light hand when scraping the surface so you don't tear the lining paper underneath.

Tools:wooden cake framedough scraper cardspray bottle
12
Active Cooking
00:05:47

Place the wooden frame baking tray on the lower rack of a preheated 180°C (356°F) oven. Bake for 30 minutes until the surface rises and turns an even golden brown.

local_fire_department180°C (356°F) for 30 minutes
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Watch out

Do not open the oven door during the first half of baking to prevent the cake from collapsing.

Tools:oven
13
Active Cooking
00:05:57
warningStay safe

Always wear heat-resistant oven mitts when handling hot baking trays to avoid burns.

Pull out the oven rack and quickly cover the top of the wooden frame with an inverted metal baking tray. Reduce temperature to 170°C (338°F) and bake for another 30–40 minutes until cooked through.

local_fire_department170°C (338°F) for 30–40 minutes
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Watch out

Covering prevents scorching and traps moisture

work quickly so the oven doesn't lose too much heat

Tools:baking trayoven mitts
14
Active Cooking
00:06:14
warningStay safe

The wooden frame and trays are extremely hot; wear oven mitts during unmolding.

Wear oven mitts to remove the cake from the oven. Remove the top lid, lift the wooden frame, and unfold the side paper. Cover the top with parchment paper and a tray, flip the cake upside down, peel off the bottom paper, trim the rough edges, and cut into neat rectangular slices.

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Watch out

Use a long serrated knife and wipe the blade clean between cuts for neat, slick slice surfaces.

Tools:serrated bread knifeoven mitts

groceryAll Ingredients

Egg white440 g
fine sugar400 g
Egg Yolk300 g
brandy7 g
honey60 g
lemon juice40 g
Bread flour240 g
Cake flour80 g

blenderAll Tools Needed

wooden cake framebaking paperglass bowlwhisksievecitrus juicerstand mixerflour sifterdigital scaleSaucepaninfrared thermometersilicone spatuladough scraper cardspray bottleovenbaking trayoven mittsserrated bread knife