COFFEE SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Butter side and bottom of a 9" round pan; line bottom with parchment paper.
• Sift flour, baking powder and salt together; set aside.
• Heat milk in a small saucepan over low heat until 150°F (pretty hot, but don't let milk boil); remove from heat.
• While milk is heating, beat eggs in a large bowl until yolks and whites are well-combined.
• Add sugar, then beat on high speed for about 4 mins until mixture is light, fluffy and thickened.
• Turn to low speed and beat in vanilla and dissolved coffee.
• Add in flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated.
• Slowly add in hot milk, continue mixing (low speed) until mixture is smooth (batter will be thin).
• Turn the batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in the middle rack of a preheated oven at 350°F for 25 mins until the top feels firm when touched lightly, and a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out with just a few crumbs clinging to it.
• Cool cake for 5 mins in the pan.
• Loosen the side of the cake from the pan using a small knife, and invert the cake onto a wire rack.
• Remove the parchment paper from the bottom of the cake and replace it loosely on the cake.
• Let the cake cool thoroughly, top side down.
• To make the syrup: Dissolve coffee granules and sugar in warm water (mix in a small bowl), then stir in the Kahlua/brandy.
• Assembly: Cut the sponge cake into 2 layers with a long serrated knife; set bottom layer onto a cake board/lazy susan.
• Brush top of 1st layer generously with syrup, and fill with the desired filling/frosting.
• Brush the 2nd layer of cake with syrup and set it on top of the filling, syrup side down.
• Brush the top of the cake with remaining syrup and frost the top and side as desired.