Ingredients (for a large sponge cake, serves about 8-10 people):

3 eggs (at room temperature, like the abuela)
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup oil (the kind used at home, preferably light olive oil or sunflower oil)
2 cups wheat flour (always sifted, always sifted to avoid lumps!)
1 tablespoon baking powder
A splash of vanilla essence (a good “chorrito”)
Pizza sauce (like the abuela made it: with your fingers – meaning, spread it well using your fingers for even coverage!)
Optional: Grated lemon or orange zest, or a touch of cinnamon if you want to give it that special “je ne sais quoi” that tastes like home.

Step-by-step instructions:

Preheat the oven: Preheat to 180°C (350°F) with heat from top and bottom. Grease and flour a round or rectangular cake pan (about 20-24 cm in diameter) to prevent sticking.
Prepare the wet mixture: In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture turns pale, fluffy, and doubles in volume (about 5-7 minutes with an electric mixer, or longer by hand like the abuela). This is the key to a super soft and spongy cake!

Add the liquids: While continuing to beat, gradually add the oil, then the milk and vanilla essence. If using lemon/orange zest or cinnamon, add them here for extra flavor.
Incorporate the dry ingredients: Sift the flour together with the baking powder (always sift twice for the best results!). Gradually fold it into the mixture using gentle circular motions (with a spatula or wooden spoon) to avoid deflating the air. Don’t overmix, or the cake will sink!
Pour into the pan and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
The viral secret – pizza sauce “like the abuela”: Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven. To make it just like “lo hacía la abuela”, spread pizza sauce over the top using your fingers (to spread it evenly and with love!). This gives it a unique, slightly spicy and nostalgic flavor – some call it a “pizza-cake” hybrid that takes you straight back to childhood!
Let it cool: Allow it to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove it and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and enjoy with milk, tea, or coffee.

This recipe has gone viral because it’s simple, uses everyday pantry staples, but that “finger-spread pizza sauce” adds a hilarious and unforgettable twist. Many people have tried it and say it turns out incredibly fluffy with a real homemade taste. Give it a try and let us know how yours turned out! 🍰❤️