A lady gave my Mother this recipe in 1953 and it has been a family favorite ever since.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups cake flour (or sifted all-purpose flour)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (divide: 1 cup + ½ cup)
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 7 large eggs, separated
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup cold water
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp cream of tartar (for stabilizing egg whites)

Instructions

1. Prepare the pan

  • Use a 10-inch tube pan / angel-food pan (the same shape as your photo).
  • Do NOT grease the pan. This is key for the cake to rise super tall.

2. Mix dry ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

  • Flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

3. Add wet ingredients

Add to the dry bowl:

  • Egg yolks
  • Oil
  • Water
  • Vanilla

Mix until smooth and thick.


4. Beat egg whites

In a clean bowl:

  • Beat egg whites + cream of tartar
  • When foamy, slowly add the remaining ½ cup sugar
  • Beat to stiff glossy peaks

This is the secret to the cake’s height.


5. Fold carefully

  • Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter.
  • Use a slow, light folding motion to keep the air in.

6. Bake

  • Pour batter into the UNGREASED tube pan.
  • Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 55–65 minutes
    (until the top springs back when touched).

7. Invert to cool

This is what gives the cake its tall height and prevents collapse.

  • Turn the pan upside down on a bottle or cooling rack.
  • Let cool completely before removing from the pan.

8. Serve

  • Eat plain, dust with powdered sugar, or serve with berries and whipped cream.

Notes for Perfect Vintage Chiffon Cake

  • Using cake flour gives the soft, fine crumb you see in the photo.
  • Whipped egg whites give the signature tall rise.
  • Never grease the pan—this cake must cling to the sides to climb upward.
  • Cooling upside down prevents sinking.

If you’d like, I can also:

✅ Make a recipe card image
✅ Give you a smaller version, bigger version, or flavored version (lemon, orange, almond, etc.)
Just tell me!

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