Traditional Victoria Sponge

This is the traditional recipe for a Victoria sponge cake, a much loved English favorite. Serve with buttercream as in the recipe, or freshly whipped cream. Dust with a layer of confectioners' sugar if desired.

Step: 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 7-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper.

Step: 2

Sift self-rising flour into a bowl; add sugar, margarine, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Crack in eggs. Beat with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Divide batter between the cake pans; smooth the tops with the back of a spoon.

Step: 3

Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Step: 4

Sift confectioners' sugar into a bowl; add butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer until frosting is light and fluffy.

Step: 5

Spread raspberry jam over 1 cake layer. Cover jam with frosting. Place second cake layer on top.

Per Serving: 636 calories; protein 6.3g; carbohydrates 80g; fat 32.9g; cholesterol 113.3mg; sodium 713.8mg.