Victoria Sponge Cake

Method

• step 1

  Pre heat the oven at 190 deg C

• step 2

  Gently warm eggs and sugar (in a large bowl that fits comfortably over the pan of water) and put a pan of water in to simmer.

• step 3

  Whisk the eggs and sugar until the reach blood temperature. Take off the heat and whisk until cool, the mixture will double and if you whisk very well it will treble.

• step 4

  The key to whisking is a consistent technique, not going like itâÃÂÃÂs a hell for leather and you need to achieve a figure of 8 action.

• step 5

  Gently fold in the flour over 5 stages so divide the flour by 5 and gently add, be careful as you could knock the air out you have just painstakingly just put in.

• step 6

  Once this is done add the molten butter and fold in gradually.

• step 7

  Line your 10âÃÂÃÂâÃÂàbaking tin with greaseproof paper, if itâÃÂÃÂs a circular tin and your struggling fold the greaseproof paper in half and half again.

• step 8

  Fold in half again along the diagonal to get a piece of cake shape ( Wedge, triangle) place the point to the centre of the tin, then gently tear around the outside ensuring the paper fits inside the tin.

• step 9

  Now place the greaseproof around the inside of the tin edge a little oil on the tin will help this stick then place the base which you have just made into the centre.

• step 10

  Now we can add the mix. Add your mix slowly and be gentle so as we do not knock the air out.

• step 11

  Bake now for 15-20 mins.

• step 12

  Once the sponge is cooked allow to cool.

• step 13

  Once cooled slice the cake in 1/2 through the middle

• step 14

  Filling

• step 15

  Take 6-7 good size tablespoons of good quality Strawberry Jam and spread liberally through the centre of the cake then take 1/2 pint of double cream and whisk until thick spread this on the other half of the cake. Then join the two together, press gently until the filling oozes to the edge. Dust with icing sugar.

• step 16

  If you are slimming or watching your weight use 10 tablespoons of jam and 3/4 pint of double cream because then itâÃÂÃÂs a real treat!