This is called a magic custard cake recipe for good reason – one batter, baked in one pan, transforms into a 3-layer cake. No torting or frosting required. Magic.
My initial goal was to bake a traditional Filipino custard cake. But reading the recipe already exhausted me because it was 3 pages long and took something like 5 hours to make.
No energy for complicated endeavours at the moment.
Then I saw this magic custard cake recipe. Not only was it custard (which was what I was originally gunning for), it was magic. Now who wouldn’t want that?
No layer cake recipe can be simpler
This is how it goes: you work with one batter. You pour it into one pan. In about an hour you end up with a 3-layer cake, no torting necessary.
I don’t know how or why. And I don’t need to. All I know is that it’s stress-free to make.
The best thing about it is it doesn’t look easy to make at all. It looks like it took you hours to bake. It looks like it takes great technique. It doesn’t!
But is it good?
Absolutely. It does not taste like the custard cake I was craving for but it’s delightful nonetheless.
The bottom layer has the texture of gelatine. But firmer. The middle layer is your custard – rich and creamy. The top layer is your cake – light and airy.
Interesting, right? Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and you have a cake that tastes as good as it looks.
A whole world of magic cakes
This is the first time I’ve heard of magic cakes but apparently there is a lot of variations you can do.
I think Jo Cooks is the definitive magic cake expert and just looking at all the magic cakes she’s done, you just want to try each one and never bake a non-magic cake ever again.
Go and start with this one. It’s quick, easy and fool-proof. Who says muggles can’t do magic? (Who says I’m a muggle?)
Magic Custard Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 pcs egg yolks from large eggs room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter melted (you can use salted or unsalted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk microwave in increments of 30 seconds until lukewarm (not hot)
- 4 pcs egg whites from large eggs room temperature
- confectioner's sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F and lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking pan. Set aside.
- Using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the 4 egg yolks and the ¾ cup sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture turns light yellow (about 2 minutes).
- Add ½ cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla and continue to beat until combined (another 2 minutes).
- Add ¾ cup flour and mix well.
- Gradually add the 2 cups milk and continue to mix until everything is fully incorporated. Set this batter aside.
- In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer (you can also do this by hand if you’re so inclined), beat the egg whites until you reach stiff peak.
- Add your egg whites into your batter a third a time, gently whisking by hand each time, until the batter is smooth and no significant egg white streaks or lumps remain. Do not over-whisk.
- Transfer the cake batter into your prepared pan and bake for 40-60 minutes or until the top of the cake turns golden brown.
- Take the cake out of the oven, cool slightly then refrigerate overnight to chill and set completely.
- Let the cake sit in room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. Cut into squares, sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
Happy baking, muggle!
Did you try this magic custard cake recipe? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it.
Jess
I love this just tried them! Perfect sweetness! I made mine in 2 batches cause i thought it was gonna overflow so they’re not too thick but the layers are there
Jolina
Glad you liked them Jess!
Iris
Just made it and everyone loved it! Perfect amount of sweetness. My Dad now wants to try to make it with coconut sport. Thanks for the recipe!
Jolina
Hi Iris! I am so happy to hear that! And yes, this lovely cake is not too sweet – thats one of the things I like about it too. Coconut is a good choice 🙂 Let me know how your experiment goes. Happy Sunday!
Suchi
I have always fancied magic cake, the name makes you go crazy and feels like a scientist creation instead of a baker. Look beautiful.
Natanja
A magic cake?! I’m intrigued! This looks so delicious! It basically has everything you could want, all within one cake. I need to try this.
Jolina
Hi Natanja! It really is quite mysterious isn’t it? Give it a try…I had my doubts too but when it came out of the oven I was really impressed…there’s really 3 layers 🙂
Alana
I made this cake from a recipe I got off Facebook It was called a Bippity Bippity Boo cake and I lost the recipe Thank you for giving it back to me I have made it several times snd it always is delicious Thanks again
Jolina
Love that name 🙂 Glad you liked it! Hope you’re having a fabulous holiday season 🙂
MJ
Wow! This Muggle never heard of a Magic Cake before. I am sooo glad you told me about it. I want to bake one now but I guess I should finish that Berry Bread Pudding first. Tomorrow! LOL Thanks, Jolina!!
Jolina
LOL! Yes there’s always tomorrow 🙂 Thanks MJ! Let me know how it goes.
Leelalicious
Oh I LOVE custard cake! No one would guess it’s just one batter, it seems so fancy 🙂
Jolina
Right? I had doubts but when it came out of the oven I’m like what what 🙂 Magic!
Valentina
Magical, indeed! And I love when somethings might seem like it took hours, but really didn’t. So impressive!
Jolina
Ikr?? Love recipes like that 🙂
Christie
I’ve seen recipes for magic cake but never made one. I love the way they look and am a huge custard fan. I think I am going to love it.
Jolina
Yes…there are so many variations. You can start with this basic one. It’s very easy and quite delightful 🙂
Dannii
My husband loves any kind of custard dessert, so I know he would like this. Maybe I will make this for him as a surprise 🙂
Laura
Oh wow that looks lovely. I can just imagine the flavour and texture now. It definitely sounds like magic, can’t wait to try!
Georgina Ingham
Oh my! That looks divine. I’m thinking it would be easy to incorporate different flavours too?
Jolina
Thanks Georgina! Yeah, there are many different variations like chocolate and lemon. All equally delicious!
florentina
I love custard. Those really look magical, wish I had one in my lap right now !
Molly Kumar
I LOOOOVE Cakes and this seriously looks so pretty & delicate. Your pictures are so beautiful.
Diane
This cake looks so fantastic! I love the moist look. My grandma’s cookbook call this type of cake a sponge cake. Magic custard cake is so much better! I’m inspired. This looks perfect for summer!