Cakes that use this mixing method are most frequently sponge cakes, like Tres Leches Cake or Almond Roll, but it's also used in hot milk cakes like Classic Birthday Cake (our 2019 Recipe of the Year!). Ribbon stage is a necessary step in cake recipes that call for beating eggs and sugar together until a thick, voluminous batter is created, prior to adding the flour and any other ingredients. So what exactly does this mean? See that thick trail of batter falling from the whisk? You might say it looks a bit like a ribbon.
One common direction that pops up in certain cake recipes is what’s often referred to as the “ribbon stage” - an indication that your batter should “fall in thick ribbons,' as many recipes might state. Usually recipes include descriptions of what to look for as you bake, like the stiffness of peaks in meringue. Our eyes are our best friend in the kitchen - they can spot if butter and sugar need to be creamed longer to become truly light and fluffy, or whether doughnuts have risen enough to start frying.īaking is a multi-sensory experience - keeping an eye out for visual clues throughout the process can help maximize success. We rely on our senses throughout the whole process of baking, and one of the most important elements is using visual clues to determine how a recipe is coming together.
