• Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C) at least 20 minutes before. Line a 7″ (18 cm) cake pan with parchment paper (bottom and side). Put butter and milk In a small bowl and microwave until the butter melts. In another bowl, sift the cake flour 2 times. Set aside.
• In a bowl of a stand mixer, add eggs and sugar. Over a double boiler (placing the bowl over a pot with simmering water on low heat), whisk the egg mixture until it becomes lukewarm (until the sugar dissolves). Then set the bowl on the stand mixer, and whip the egg mixture until very thick (watch video to see the texture). Add vanilla.
• Add sifted cake flour in 3 parts. Fold in the first one-third of the flour by hand with a spatula. After the flour is incorporated, add the next part of flour and again fold in with the spatula. Repeat with the last third of the flour. Next, add the mixture of melted butter and milk and fold in with the spatula.
• Put the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• Take the cake out from the oven and leave for 15 minutes. Finally, remove the cake from the cake pan.
NOTES
The cake is intended to be layered, dabbed with syrup, and sandwiched with cream and fruits; however, if you like, you can just slice and eat it as a simple cake. Matcha powder and powdered sugar can be dusted over the cake to add a little bit of flavor. It can also be served with whipped cream and Anko sweet red bean paste – which is absolutely delicious with cake!
