Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (180g) All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
- 1 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Fine Grain Salt
- 6 Large Eggs, separated
- ½ cup (100g) Granulated Sugar (for yolks)
- ½ cup (100g) Granulated Sugar (for whites)
- 1 teaspoon Good Quality Vanilla Extract
- ¼ cup (60ml) Whole Milk, room temperature
- 1 (12 oz) can Evaporated Milk
- 1 (14 oz) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- ½ cup (120ml) Heavy Cream
- 2 tablespoons Spiced Rum or Brandy (Optional)
- 1 ½ cups Cold Heavy Whipping Cream (for topping)
- ¼ cup (30g) Powdered Sugar (for topping)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (for topping)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Beat egg yolks and the first measure of sugar until the mixture is pale yellow and ribbons form (about 3 minutes). Beat in the milk and vanilla.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the yolk mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- In a separate, very clean bowl, whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the second measure of sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Gently fold one-third of the meringue into the batter to lighten it, then fold in the remaining meringue until no white streaks remain.
- Pour batter into the prepared dish. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted near the centre comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, whisk together the evaporated milk, condensed milk, heavy cream, and optional rum/brandy in a separate bowl to create the soak.
- Once the cake is removed from the oven (while still warm), immediately use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the surface, going down to the bottom.
- Slowly and evenly pour the three-milk mixture over the warm cake, allowing it to absorb completely. Let the cake cool to room temperature, then cover and chill for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
- Just before serving, whip the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until firm peaks form.
- Spread the whipped cream evenly over the chilled cake. Garnish with a dusting of cinnamon or fresh berries.