I have wanted to try my hand at a Victoria Sponge for a long time. First, because I brake for cake! Second, it is just so quintessentially English (although you will find this cake on the menu at most Scottish eateries as well).
I researched several different recipes, and they all seem to be pretty consistent, with just some minor variations between them. Equal parts butter, sugar, and flour appears to be the common thread. For my cake today, I decided to try a recipe by BBC Good Food. I modified it little, as I chose a different mixing method. Also, instead of the buttercream filling, I made a lighter, less sweet whipped cream filling instead.
Here is what you do:
Step 1: Set your oven and gather your ingredients
Preheat oven to 190°C/ 375°F
*In this recipe, the sugar, butter, and flour are measured in grams. I used a good kitchen scale to get precise measurements.
For the cake:
200 g caster sugar
200 g butter at room temperature
4 eggs, beaten and at room temperature
200 g self-rising flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 Tbsp milk
For the filling:
1 C heavy whipping cream
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Your favorite jam
For the top of cake:
Confectioner’s/powdered sugar
Also known as a Victoria Sandwich or a Victorian Cake, the Victorian Sponge became popular during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
Step 2: Prepare your pans
Grease the bottom and sides of two 8″ round cake pans with butter. Cover the bottom of each with a circle of ovenproof/nonstick parchment paper.
Step 3: Mix ingredients together
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine caster sugar and butter (which should be at room temperature – this is important).
Beat in each egg one at a time. Eggs should be at room temperature to prevent curdling of the sponge mixture.
Next, mix in the flour and baking powder.
Add the milk.
Beat the ingredients together until you have a smooth, soft batter.
Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861) and one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting, is credited as the inventor of tea time.
Step 4: Fill pans
Divide the mixture evenly between the two cake pans, smoothing the surface with a knife or spoon.
Step 5: Bake
Bake the cakes at 375° for 20 minutes. Cakes are done when they spring to the touch and when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Turn out cakes
After cakes have cooled on a rack for 10 minutes, turn cakes out onto a sheet of parchment or other non-stick surface. Gently peel off the parchment circles. Continue to cool completely.
Even though the Victoria Sponge originated in England, you will find it served in coffee shops, tea rooms, and bakeries throughout Scotland.
Step 7: Prepare cream filling
Beat 1 C heavy whipping cream and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract until you have whipped cream (I used our trusty Ninja, but a hand mixer would work well too).
Step 8: Fill and prepare
Take one of the cakes (bottom side facing up) and evenly spread a layer of your favorite jam. *I used Stonewall Kitchen’s Black Raspberry Jam
Gently spread the whipped cream over the jam. Top with the second cake (top side facing up). Dust the top of cake with confectioner’s/powdered sugar.
Step 9: Make a pot of tea, set a pretty table, and enjoy!
Thank you for stopping by today, friends. Please let me know if you make this cake and how it turned out. Happy baking!
Cheers,
Looks divine. 🙂
It really is! I’m enjoying another slice for breakfast right now. 🙂
🙂
Wendy, that looks a superb sponge! I’ve never associated it with Scotland particularly, always thought of it as quintessentially English, so it’s good to know of it’s popularity further north. A simple recipe and so delicious!
I have seen it on the menu in several of the tea rooms/coffee shops that we have visited. I would be curious to know if it’s more of a regional thing or if it’s common even in far northern and western Scotland.
My sister lives in the HIghlands; must remember to ask her. I imagine it’s the traditional aspect that appeals. Fits perfectly with tea shops. Can’t beat a victoria sponge!
You’ll have to let me know what she says. I agree about the sponge. I can’t wait to make it for friends.
We love Victoria Sandwich/Sponge, my husband bake this regularly … excelelnt sharing, Wendy.
Thank you very much! 🙂
I am coming over to your house…
Come on over! I’ll start the tea! 🙂
By the look of your photos I would love to take tea at your house. That sponge cake is superb, it looks so light and fluffy. Victoria sponge is a cake I make quite often because it’s so easy, but I don’t usually use as much sugar and fat as the recipes say. I also don’t put cream in with the jam in the middle, although it does taste wonderful that way. My only gripe about Victoria sponge is that it doesn’t keep particularly well, but if you can eat it all in a day or two that’s no problem. My mouth’s watering looking at that close-up of the cake….
Thank you, Lorna. 🙂 You are the tearoom expert. I hope I got all my facts correct! I actually thought this recipe kept quite well. I kept in in the fridge. I was afraid the cake would get soggy from the filling but by the third day it was still fine. It looks like such fancy cake but was so easy to put together. Win win!
What is Castor Sugar? and where do you find it? Not sure I have ever seen that, but I would love to try this cake:)
Hi Patti, caster sugar is a really finely ground granulated sugar (not to be mistaken for powdered sugar). I get mine at Fresh Market. I have not found it anywhere else. I’m so glad you are going to try making it! 🙂
The photos are great and the cake looks light and fluffy. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Liz. I had a lot of fun with that post.