64 sponge recipes

Cassata Napoletana layers thin sponge cake with cherry preserves, rich Neapolitan custard, chopped walnuts, and candied fruit. A no-bake Italian celebration cake that chills to set.

Tiramisu-style cake with three sponge layers soaked in espresso-rum syrup, filled with mascarpone cream, and finished with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings. A classic Italian pick-me-up.

Classic British sherry trifle layered with jam-spread sponge cake, raspberries, bananas, homemade egg custard, whipped cream, and toasted almonds. A make-ahead showpiece that chills for hours.

Bianco Mangiare is a layered Italian dessert with sponge cake, vanilla-cinnamon milk pudding, chocolate sprinkles, pecans, and cherries. Served cold, this elegant no-bake treat is pure old-world charm.

Summer pudding-style fruit cake lined with sponge cake and packed with kirsch-soaked strawberries, blackberries, cherries, and currants. Chilled overnight and unmolded.

No-bake rum cake layers milk-soaked sponge cake with vanilla pudding, chocolate pudding, whipped topping, almonds, and cherries. A retro icebox cake assembled the day before for stress-free entertaining.

There are quicker versions of this recipe but this is a classic that's reasonably easy and works perfectly every time.

Homemade lady fingers piped from a light egg white and cake flour batter with vanilla and orange flavoring. Delicate sponge cookies for tiramisu, trifle, or eating on their own.

Basic sourdough pancakes start with an overnight sponge of sourdough starter, flour, and water for tangy, light flapjacks. Old prospector breakfast for fluffy, deeply flavored pancakes.

Following this recipe makes a perfect focaccia, fluffy inside, crusty outside, and very flavorful. Several rising processes make the great texture and flavor.

Smores cake layers fluffy graham cracker sponge with toasted miniature marshmallows and mini chocolate chips broiled until bubbly. Low-fat campfire-flavored cake without leaving the kitchen.

Mary Rogers's sourdough biscuits use an overnight starter sponge for a tender, tangy biscuit with a soft crumb. A pioneer-style overnight rise that beats any quick biscuit hands down.

One of the most delicious desserts. Easy to make and wonderfully sweet. Try this recipe.

Snowshoe naan is a hand-stretched, sponge-leavened flatbread baked on hot quarry tiles and topped with nigella seeds. Long oval shape with crisp edges and pillowy centers, dairy-free and rustic.

Homemade onion rye bread made with a sponge starter, rye and bread flour, and sauteed onions kneaded into the dough. Crusty outside, soft and fragrant inside.

Shiitake mushrooms, tofu and potatoes are like sponge that soak all the great flavor from the miso stew. Green beans add bright color and nice crisp, and the glass noodles give a bit chewiness and some healthy calories that are good for you.