How to make a Victoria Sponge

The most popular cake recipe by far is the classic vanilla sponge, known more commonly as a Victoria sandwich or Victorian cake. Typically consisting of two layers of cake with a jam and fresh cream filling.

How to make a Victoria Sponge

Ingredients:

200g self raising flour
200g caster sugar
200g butter
4 meduim eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence

Cake:

Preheat oven to gas mark 4 and grease and line two baking tins.

Start by beating the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add eggs one at a time, making sure to beat thoroughly after each addition. If the egg makes the mixture curdle at any point add a tiny bit of the flour. Then add the vanilla essence.

Slowly mix in the flour until fully incorporated but do not over mix at this point. It is best to do this part of the recipe by hand rather than an electric mixer.

Place the mixer into your prepared tins and place into the oven. When the cake starts to turn golden brown and or shrink away from the sides, test with a metal skewer to see if cake is done. The skewer should come out completely clean.

Try not to open the oven door too soon as this may cause a dip in the centre of the cake. Once the cake is baked let it cool in the tins for about 10 minutes and then turn out onto a cooling rack.

Filling:

200ml double cream
50g caster sugar
1tsp vanilla
Raspberry/strawberry jam

While the cake cools, whip the double cream, caster sugar and vanilla together until it holds its shape. Be very careful not to over whip as this will ruin the texture of the cream.

Spread an even layer of jam of your choice, on to one of the cake layers and then a nice generous layer of the double cream filling. Traditionally strawberry or raspberry jams are used for this cake. Add the second layer of and press down gently. Dust with icing sugar to finish off or pipe swirls of double cream on top and decorate with fresh fruit.

Photo credit: N Hussain

The date of the article publication: 07October 2016

Author: N Hussain

N. Hussain is a qualified teacher and a highly sought after freelance certified baker. Between her busy schedules, Hussain shares her knowledge of extensive experience in her respective fields.