Genoise: a sponge cake often paired with syrup

Useful to know

Genoise is a sponge cake enriched with butter and egg yolk. King Arthur describes it as a base for layered desserts, often brushed with flavoured syrup for additional moisture and taste. [1]

Consider the later assembly rather than judging the sponge only as a standalone cake. Dense filling and light sponge have different roles. The method calls for gently incorporating flour into the egg foam. Vigorous mixing is not a reliable route to finer texture because it can remove the necessary air.