Kasutera (Castella), the Japanese Traditional Honey Cake

4.0
(2)

Kasutera is a Japanese traditional sponge cake. With its angel food-like texture and its delicate flavor of honey, this cake is just perfect. Serve with adzuki paste (Japanese red bean paste) and ice cream.

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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
50 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 1 teaspoon butter, softened, or as needed

  • 1 ⅓ cups superfine sugar

  • 5 tablespoons honey, divided

  • 3 ⅓ fluid ounces milk

  • 8 eggs

  • 1 ⅓ cups superfine sugar

  • 1 ⅝ cups all-purpose flour, sifted twice

  • 1 cup sweet bean paste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a cake pan with parchment paper. Butter the paper and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon superfine sugar.

  2. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil; pour into a large bowl.

  3. Whisk 1/4 cup honey and milk together in a bowl until smooth.

  4. Beat eggs with an electric mixer in a bowl placed over the hot water. Gradually add 1 1/3 cup superfine sugar; beat until smooth and mixture is warm. Remove bowl of egg mixture from the bowl of hot water and cool to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Return bowl of egg mixture to the hot water and continue beating. Repeat this process a few times until batter is foamy and thick.

  5. Pour milk mixture into egg mixture and mix well using a spatula; stir in sifted flour until batter is mixed. Pour batter into the prepared cake pan.

  6. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Spread the remaining 1 tablespoon honey over the top of cake. Serve slices with sweet bean paste and ice cream, if desired.

Editor's Note:

If you can't find canned sweet red bean paste, you can make your own with this recipe.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

710 Calories
8g Fat
149g Carbs
15g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 710
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 251mg 84%
Sodium 108mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 149g 54%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 105g
Protein 15g 29%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 66mg 5%
Iron 4mg 19%
Potassium 302mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.