We whipped up a light-as-air angel food cake in—wait for it—a slow cooker. Cream of tartar helps stabilize the beaten egg whites, especially important for this slow-baked cake, and a dull metal loaf pan (not nonstick) mimics the tube pan traditionally used for angel food. The lack of greasing and nonstick sides help the batter cling to the pan to keep the iconic tall, airy texture. We like to serve it with freshly whipped cream and some lightly macerated fruit. Just toss your favorite berries (or how about mango and pineapple) in a little sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice and set aside for about 10 minutes. The angel food cake can’t wait to soak up those fruity juices.
How to Make It
Tightly twist a 3-foot length of aluminum foil. Shape foil into a zigzag across bottom of a 5- or 6-quart round or oval slow cooker to create a rack, and add 1 cup water. Place lid on slow cooker, and set on LOW.
Whisk together sugar, flour, and salt in a large bowl, and set aside.
Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Gradually increase speed to high, and beat until stiff peaks form, about 1 more minute. Beat in vanilla.
Sift sugar mixture over egg whites and fold gently to combine. Transfer batter to a metal 9- x 5-inch loaf pan, and smooth top.
Place pan in slow cooker, and press into foil rack to ensure pan is level. Drape a clean kitchen towel over slow cooker, and place lid over towel. Pull towel taut under lid. Start Cook on LOW until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 2½ hours. Start checking cake around 2 hours and every half hour after that as slow cookers can vary greatly. Remove pan from slow cooker and invert onto a wire rack, and cool completely, about 30 minutes. Run a knife around edges to separate cake from pan, and invert onto a serving plate. Serve with Macerated Strawberries and whipped cream.