A fudgey base. Soft custard center. Topped with fluffy sponge. Made with one simple batter. Magic Three Layer Custard Cake: It’s like, well ….MAGIC!
If you love vanilla sponge cakes and custard, you are going to be as obsessed with this cake as I am. It looks like it’s been carefully layered with three different components. But it’s not! You just pour one simple batter into a cake tin, pop in the oven, and this is how it comes out!!
There is no special ingredient nor any tricky technique. The batter is made pretty much like a traditional vanilla sponge cake, it is just much thinner. It’s the consistency of crepe batter. Almost like a thick pouring cream.
The magic happens in the oven. It is baked at a lower temperature than usual – 325F/160C. And when it comes out, the top layer is a sponge, the middle is custard and the bottom is almost like a fudge.
I was dubious the first time I made it, and even when I turned the cake out because you can’t see the layers on the edges. But then when I cut into it, I gasped with astonishment! I mean, look at how perfect the layers are!!
This recipe is the Magic Cake from Jo Cooks. I’ve been reading Jo Cooks for a long time, but it wasn’t until recently that I got to know Jo herself. Though actually, her real name is Ioana – a Romanian name, a beautiful one at that, and one of the first things I nagged her about was why she doesn’t go by her real name!
Jo and I have very similar tastes. We both love food that is absolutely scrumptious, we never compromise on flavour to follow trends or hacks (or diet versions!), we aren’t into the “cool food” scene and there are less salads on our blogs than there probably should be (though she has a lot more than me!!).
What I didn’t realise is that she is probably the reason the world discovered “Magic Cake“. She was very quick to make the point that it was not an original recipe. Perhaps she wasn’t the pioneer of it, but a search on Pinterest clearly shows that she is the reason that the world discovered it.
So I’m adding myself to the long line of people who have tried and been astonished by the miracle of this cake. 🙂
One simple batter.
A three layered custard cake.
It really is….like magic! 🙂
– Nagi
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Magic Three Layer Custard Cake (From One Batter)
Ingredients
- 4 eggs , yolks and whites separated (at room temperature)
- 3/4 cup (150g) sugar (ordinary or caster sugar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 stick (4oz / 125g / 1/2 cup) unsalted butter , melted
- 3/4 cup (4oz / 115g) plain all purpose flour
- 2 cups (500 ml / 1 pint) milk (lukewarm) (full fat or low fat but not zero fat)
To Serve (optional)
- Icing sugar (powdered sugar), for dusting
- Fresh strawberries
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F/160C (standard oven / fan forced or convection)
- Butter a 8" x 8" / 20cm x 20cm square cake tin (Note 4).
- Beat egg whites with a mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- Place the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and beat until it turns pale yellow - about 1 minute.
- Add the vanilla extract and butter and beat until well incorporated - about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add the flour and beat until just combined.
- Pour the milk in slowly while beating, and beat until well combined (or if using a hand held mixer, add 1/4 milk at a time, beating in between).
- Use a spatula to fold in the egg whites in the batter, one third at a time, until just incorporated. You don't want to knock the air out of the egg whites. Don't worry if there are a few egg white lumps in the batter. The batter should be very thin, almost like a thick pouring cream.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin.
Baking Directions
- Bake until the top is golden brown and the cake does not "jiggle" when you gently shake the tin - around 40 to 50 minutes. Check the cake at 30 minutes - if the top is already golden brown but the cake is not yet set (i.e. it jiggles), cover loosely with foil and return to the oven, 10 minutes at a time, until set.
- Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack.(Note 3) Cool completely before serving.
To Serve
- Cut into squares - I cut it into 12 in the photo, but 9 is more realistic serving size portions.
- Dust with icing sugar just before serving.
- Serve with a side of whipped cream and strawberries, if using.
Recipe Notes:
a) The cake is ready when the top is golden brown and the cake doesn't "jiggle" when you gently shake the pan. If it jiggles, there is still raw batter inside.
b) I found that 4 of the 5 times I made it, the top became golden brown before the cake was set.
c) So to get the bake time right, check it first at 30 minutes. If the top is golden brown, cover loosely with foil and return to the oven until the cake is set. Check every 10 minutes - any longer, and you'll risk the cake overcooking. 3. Tor get the cake out of the tin, just turn it out like a normal cake. The custard is set, it is not like super soft jelly. What I do is place a cutting board on top of the tin, flip it upside down (it slips right out) then place a cooling rack on top then flip it again (so you end up with the right side up on the cooling rack). 4. I myself have not tried this in a glass pan but readers have - if you scroll through the comments, you will find feedback from a reader on 3 February 2017 confirming this! 5. Nutrition assuming 1 cake is cut into 9 pieces. Note that I cut the cake into 16 pieces for the photo but that is far too small!
SaveSaveNutrition Information:
Does high altitude affect this cake? Above 6000 feet?
Hi-
I’ve definitely had altitude issues with cakes (I live +6600 feet). Some cakes say add 1 TBS flour and take away 2TBS sugar. I’ve not tried this method. Does high altitude affect this recipe? If so, how to alter? I don’t need another fallen cake 🙁
Could almond milk or coconut milk be used??
I used almond milk, unsweetened and it had two layers. Could’ve been my egg whites though honestly. The fat content is the same as 2% so it did still work.
Hi Nagi! I just made this cake and i baked it for like 100mins!!! Think my oven runs low and I overbeat my egg whites. The batter was so watery. The taste is nice and custardy but the cake just couldn’t hold its form and have a structure like yours, let alone have 3 distinct layer. Think I really need to improve it when I make it next time! 😅 any advice on how to make sure I get stiff peak when I beat the egg whites? I’m using a hand mixer. Thanks!
Hi Sheena, that doesn’t sound right at all! Maybe get a thermometer for your oven to ensure the thermostat is still working correctly – N x
Hi, Have you tried to brown the melted butter in this recipe? If it works, does it add more richness/flavor to the cake?
I haven’t tried to be honest! I would love to know if it works – N x
Can I make this recipe without an electric mixer? I do not have a hand held or stand mixer, just a whisk. The mixing times are precise on your instructions.
I just made the cake with my hands…. but only got 2 layers. It tastes good though. The egg whites took forever to “peak.” I would recommend using an immersion blender or something for those
I’d also like to know this answer!
And can I use brown sugar?
I’ve been trying and testing a few recipes from this website lately and I haven’t been disappointed once. I made this last night and although it didn’t turn out looking quite as pretty as the pictures it was scrumptious and the perfect follow up to your bangers and mash that I also made last night – both a hit with all the family.
Thanks again for sharing your wonderful recipes.
I’m so glad you’re loving the recipes Lyndsay!!
How incredible is that? Wow!
It’s sooooo good!
Its great!
Yessss!
Can you use heavy whipping cream instead of milk?
Hi Lynne, no sorry – you need milk in this one – N x
Your website has a super handy feature to scale the recipe. Love it. But what’s considered “one batch”…serving for 9? 4 eggs?
Hi Alethea, the recipe as written serves 9-12 people – N x
Do you think this would work with a gluten free flour?
I haven’t tried to be honest Andrew!
Thanks! I have found online comments from a few people who HAVE used gf flour and apparently it works! Shall be trying it …
Just the question I was going to ask! Thank you for adding to your question/post, Andrew. Very helpful.
Hi Nagi, I just wanted to check if this is meant to be eaten slightly warm or cold (e.g. refrigerated cold)? I was hoping to make this in advance and place it in the fridge. Thanks in advance!
Hi Naomi, you could serve either way and it would be great!
What happens if you use salted butter ?
This was a hit! My layers weren’t as pretty as yours but it was still tasty. I ate it slightly warm (too impatient) and it reminded me of a fresh Chinese egg tart. I actually prefer it that way. Sigh.. I wish I was your neighbor – I would happily eat any of your test batches of any/all your recipes.
Awesome Annie! And I always need more people to offload food onto!
Can I use salted butter?
Make this all the time we just love it.
That’s terrific to hear Bonnie! I’m so pleased you love this too! N x
Hi can I use cooking oil instead of butter?,
How would you add lemon flavors to this cake?
Lemon zest it adds flavor without altering the recipe
I would. Some lemon. Juice.
Are the egg whites beaten ? It doesn’t say but it is implied .
Yes! It’s in the recipe directions 🙂
I’ve made this before & loved it! I was heading up to do it again today & wondered about a chocolate angle. Thoughts?
Check out Jo Cooks website! She has a brilliant chocolate one 🙂 N x
Coolio! Thanks!