Step 1

Preheat oven to 325F/160C (standard oven / fan forced or convection)

Step 2

Butter a 8" x 8" / 20cm x 20cm square cake tin (Note 4).

Step 3

Beat egg whites with a mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

Step 4

Place the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and beat until it turns pale yellow - about 1 minute.

Step 5

Add the vanilla extract and butter and beat until well incorporated - about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Step 6

Add the flour and beat until just combined.

Step 7

Pour the milk in slowly while beating, and beat until well combined (or if using a hand held mixer, add 1/4 milk at a time, beating in between).

Step 8

Use a spatula to fold in the egg whites in the batter, one third at a time, until just incorporated. You don't want to knock the air out of the egg whites. Don't worry if there are a few egg white lumps in the batter. The batter should be very thin, almost like a thick pouring cream.

Step 9

Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin.

Step 10

Bake until the top is golden brown and the cake does not "jiggle" when you gently shake the tin - around 40 to 50 minutes. Check the cake at 30 minutes - if the top is already golden brown but the cake is not yet set (i.e. it jiggles), cover loosely with foil and return to the oven, 10 minutes at a time, until set.

Step 11

Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack.(Note Cool completely before serving.

Step 12

Cut into squares - I cut it into 12 in the photo, but 9 is more realistic serving size portions.

Step 13

Dust with icing sugar just before serving.

Step 14

Serve with a side of whipped cream and strawberries, if using.