Weizenmehl Type 405cake flour

Milled fine, almost pure endosperm, hardly any bran. Low protein, so little gluten.

That is exactly what a butter cake, a sponge, a shortcrust or a waffle wants: tender and short, not elastic.

Die Typenzahlwhat the number means

405 is ash content in milligrams per 100 grams of dry matter. It is the lowest number sold in Germany.

Mexico does not use that scale. Here the flour is simply called harina refinada or harina para repostería.

In Mexikoin Mexico

Buy harina refinada, in any supermarket.

Harina para todo uso also works, but it carries more protein. The cake comes out firmer and less airy.

For a sponge, swap 20 percent of the flour for fécula de maíz. That drops the gluten and the crumb turns tender again.

Vorsichtwatch out

Do not mix it up with harina preparada. That one already holds baking powder and salt, and the recipe ends up leavened twice.

Kaufenwhere

Any supermarket. Wider choice in tiendas de repostería.