Heavenly Angel Food Cake

My sister just recently celebrated her 25th birthday!  In order to celebrate, I decided to make her favorite cake, angel food cake!  I have never made an angel food cake from scratch and the task was a little daunting.  I read the directions quite thoroughly before I started.

Heavenly Angel Food Cake

12 eggs
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar

Directions 

Separate eggs; discard yolks or refrigerate for another use. Measure egg whites, adding or removing whites as needed to equal 1-1/2 cups. Place in a mixing bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, sift confectioners' sugar and flour together three times; set aside. Add cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites; beat on high speed. Gradually add sugar, beating until sugar is dissolved and stiff peaks form. Fold in flour mixture, 1/4 cup at a time. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert pan; cool completely before removing cake from pan.

 All in all, this recipe was easier than I thought it was going to be.  I didn't get my peaks to be as stiff as I would have liked them but the cake seemed to be the correct consistency when it was finished.  I served it with Cool Whip and caramel topping.  The cake turned out really delicious and my sister was very surprised!  Enjoy