A light sponge cake with a sour cream and milk jelly filling studded with pineapple - an airy sponge soaked in pineapple juice and a silky layer that sets in the fridge. Incredibly tasty, light, simply wonderful - I warmly recommend it!

Pineapple Cake with Sour Cream Jelly Filling
Ingredients
Method
- Take the eggs out of the fridge in advance, separate the whites from the yolks and let them come to room temperature.
- Whip the whites with a pinch of salt into a fluffy foam. Gradually add the sugar and whip to a stable meringue.
- Add the yolks one at a time, quickly beating each into the meringue with the mixer, then turn the mixer off.
- Sift in the flour with a pinch of vanilla and fold it in gently with a spatula until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the pan (16×16 cm square or a 16-18 cm round) and bake in a well-preheated oven at 170°C (340°F) for 30 minutes. Test with a skewer. Cool the sponge completely.
- Drain the juice from the can of pineapple. Soak the gelatin in 75 ml of the juice and let it bloom.
- Split the cooled sponge in half and soak both layers with the remaining pineapple juice. Cut the pineapple rings into small pieces.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, icing sugar and vanilla.
- Melt the bloomed gelatin, stir it into the sour cream mixture and add the pineapple pieces - the filling is ready.
- Place the first soaked layer in the pan, pour in the filling and spread it quickly, then cover with the second soaked layer.
- Refrigerate the cake for a couple of hours until set. Dust with icing sugar before serving. Enjoy!

Notes
Tips for success
- Room-temperature eggs: take them out of the fridge ahead of time and separate the whites and yolks right away. Warm whites whip into a more stable meringue.
- Fold in the flour with a spatula, gently and only until combined - that keeps the sponge airy.
- Cool the sponge completely before splitting and soaking it, or it will crumble.
- Assemble quickly: the gelatin filling starts to set - spread it over the bottom layer right away and top with the second layer immediately.
- Pan size: a 16×16 cm (6-inch) square pan or a 16-18 cm (6-7 inch) round one. In a bigger pan the cake will come out lower.
FAQ
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
With raw fresh pineapple the jelly won't set: it contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down gelatin. If you want to use fresh fruit, simmer the pieces for a few minutes first. Canned pineapple has no such problem - and the juice from the can doubles as the soaking syrup and the gelatin liquid.
How long does the cake keep, and when should I assemble it?
The cake needs at least a couple of hours in the fridge for the jelly to set - it's convenient to assemble it in the evening and leave it overnight. It keeps 2-3 days refrigerated, covered. Dust with icing sugar just before serving.




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