If you’re longing for a dessert that’s both beautifully simple and impossibly airy, you’ll fall head over heels for my Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake. This recipe delivers a delightful balance of subtle tang from creamy yogurt and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture—each bite like a bite-sized piece of cloud. It’s a treat that feels both decadent and light, perfect for any occasion when you want your cake to truly impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Heavenly Texture: Each forkful melts on your tongue thanks to the whipped egg whites and creamy yogurt base.
- Effortlessly Elegant: With minimal steps and humble ingredients, you’ll turn out a show-stopping dessert fit for any celebration or cozy afternoon.
- Customizable Flavors: The simple foundation is perfect for making your own—add your favorite extract, citrus zest, or even a swirl of fruit.
- Lighter Than Air (and Guilt): The yogurt makes this cake feel feather-light—both in texture and in how it sits with you after that second (or third!) slice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake is built on a handful of honest, everyday ingredients that truly shine. Each one contributes its own little magic—lift, flavor, moisture, and structure—to create a cake that’s so much greater than the sum of its parts.
- Plain yogurt (preferably Greek): Provides creamy tang, moisture, and delicate flavor—Greek yogurt makes it extra luscious, but use what you have on hand.
- All-purpose flour: The classic backbone for a tender crumb; sift it for lightness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and aids in stabilizing the whipped egg whites for optimal fluff.
- Eggs, separated: The yolks enrich the batter, while whipped whites give the cake its signature cloud-like rise.
- Vegetable oil: For a moist, melt-in-your-mouth texture that stays soft even after refrigeration.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic note to the cake and whipped topping.
- Baking powder: Ensures a reliable lift and feather-light structure with every bake.
- Salt: Just a pinch wakes up all the other flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
- Cream of tartar (optional): Provides extra stability for those beautifully lofty whipped egg whites—it’s optional, but always helpful.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped up to cloud-like perfection for the ultimate, pillowy topping.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the topping and gives it that satiny finish.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to play! The beauty of Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake is just how delightfully tweakable it is. Whether you’re working with pantry finds or seeking to tailor the cake to suit your mood or dietary needs, there’s always room for delicious creativity.
- Lemon Glow: Stir in a teaspoon of lemon zest for a bright, citrusy lift that sings with the creamy yogurt.
- Berry Burst: Scatter a handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries over the batter before baking for juicy pops of flavor.
- Gluten-Free Cloud: Swap in a reliable 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and see how tender and lofty the cake still turns out.
- Honey Drizzle Finish: Replace a bit of the sugar with honey or finish the cooled cake with a gleaming honey drizzle for mellow sweetness.
- Dairy-Free Option: Try coconut yogurt and a non-dairy whipping cream for a treat everyone can enjoy.
How to Make Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to guarantee an even rise. Generously grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper—trust me, this makes removing your delicate cloud cake a total breeze later!
Step 2: Stir Together Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until creamy and smooth. Add in the egg yolks and sugar, whisking until everything blends into a golden, velvety base—this mixture is essential for that irresistible moist crumb.
Step 3: Sift and Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a second bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gradually add the dry ingredients to your yogurt mixture, stirring gently. Go slow and stop as soon as everything’s combined—overmixing can deflate your fluffy dreams!
Step 4: Whip the Egg Whites
In a clean bowl (any trace of fat is the enemy here), beat your egg whites with cream of tartar (if using) until soft peaks form. Gradually sprinkle in one tablespoon of sugar, continuing to beat until stiff, shiny peaks stand tall. This step is the secret to your cake’s true cloud texture.
Step 5: Fold for Airiness
Add the whipped egg whites gently into your batter in two or three batches, using a spatula and a soft hand. Fold until just combined—stop while you still see a few streaks. This keeps the precious air bubbles intact, ensuring your yogurt cloud cake is lighter than air.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pour the airy batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the surface is golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Resist the urge to open the oven door early! Let the cake rest in its pan for about 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Whip Up the Cloud Topping
Once your cake is cool, blend the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This topping is the final cloud layer that truly transforms this yogurt cake into a pillowy masterpiece.
Step 8: Assemble and Serve
Spread a thick, dreamy layer of whipped cream over your cooled cake. For extra flair, garnish with fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar—then slice and serve your Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake with the biggest smile.
Pro Tips for Making Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake
- Egg White Wisdom: Be sure to separate your eggs cold but let the whites come to room temperature before whipping—they’ll triple in volume faster and fluffier this way.
- Gentle Folding Technique: Use a wide spatula and sweep around the bowl—the fewer strokes, the better! This keeps your cake ultra-light.
- Pan Prep Makes Perfect: Don’t skip the parchment paper—the cake is so tender, it’s practically guaranteed to stick to an unlined pan.
- Test for Doneness: The cake should spring back lightly when touched and the top should be a delicate golden. Overbaking can dry out all your fluffy work!
How to Serve Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake
Garnishes
This cake loves a flourish! Scatter fresh strawberries, raspberries, or even edible flowers across its billowy topping for a pop of color and freshness. A dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance, while shavings of white chocolate bring pure decadence—let the season or your mood be your guide.
Side Dishes
Since Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake is so airy and luscious, it pairs beautifully with a simple fruit salad, a bright and herbal tea, or even a tangy homemade berry compote. If you want to really lean into brunch territory, serve alongside Greek yogurt, honey, and toasted nuts for added contrast and crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For a whimsical touch, slice the cake into mini wedges and stack them tall, or cut out small rounds with a biscuit cutter for single-serve cloud bites. Layer slices with fruit and whipped cream for a gorgeous trifle, or arrange on a cake stand crowned with berries and mint for a truly stunning centerpiece. However you serve it, joy will follow!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To help maintain the best texture, add the whipped topping just before serving if you know you’ll have extras.
Freezing
You can freeze the cake (without the whipped cream topping) for up to one month. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then foil to shield it from freezer burn. Thaw the cake at room temperature, then freshen it up with a cloud of whipped cream before serving.
Reheating
This cake is best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you like a slightly warm slice, a brief 10-second spin in the microwave will do. Just skip reheating if you’ve added the whipped topping—room temperature lets the flavors and texture truly shine.
FAQs
-
My cake sank after baking—what happened?
The most common culprit here is underbaking or opening the oven door too early. Make sure the center is fully set before removing and let it cool gradually in the pan for the first 10 minutes for best structure.
-
Can I use low-fat or non-fat yogurt?
Absolutely! Using low-fat or non-fat yogurt delivers a lighter cake, though full-fat yogurt provides a richer crumb. Both options work beautifully in this recipe.
-
Is it necessary to use cream of tartar for the egg whites?
No, it’s not strictly necessary—but cream of tartar helps stabilize your whipped egg whites so they hold onto more air, giving your cake extra fluff and loft. If you don’t have it, your cake will still work!
-
Can I make Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake ahead of time?
Yes! Bake the cake layer a day in advance, wrap tightly, and refrigerate. Prepare and add the whipped topping just before serving for cloud-like perfection.
Final Thoughts
Give this Light & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake a spot at your table and watch it become a new favorite. It’s endlessly versatile, charmingly light, and—most of all—absolutely joyful to make and share. I can’t wait for you to experience every dreamy, melt-away bite!
PrintLight & Fluffy Yogurt Cloud Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 0 hours
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 cake 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the light and airy delight of this Yogurt Cloud Cake. With a fluffy yogurt-based cake topped with whipped cream, this recipe is a heavenly treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup plain yogurt (preferably Greek yogurt)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional, helps stabilize egg whites)
For the Whipped Topping:
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Add the egg yolks and sugar. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Sift the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently to combine.
- Whisk the Egg Whites: In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form.
- Fold the Egg Whites: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the cake batter in two or three additions.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Whipped Topping: Beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Serve: Top the cooled cake with the whipped cream and optional garnishes before serving.
Notes
- For a Lighter Cake: Use low-fat or non-fat yogurt for a lighter version of the cake.
- Flavor Variations: Add lemon zest or vanilla beans to the batter for extra flavor. Drizzle honey on top of the whipped cream for a lovely touch.
- Storage: Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Re-whip the whipped cream before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *