Orange Raspberry Victoria Sponge Food

QUEEN VICTORIA SPONGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5. Grease two 20cm sandwich tins and line the bases with greaseproof paper circles, then dust lightly with flour.
• Beat the butter and sugar together until very light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs one by one, making sure you beat each one in well before you add the next, then finely grate the orange zest and fold with the flour.
• Divide the cake mix between the prepared tins. Spread it out well with a spatula and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden, risen and an inserted skewer comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in the tins, then carefully turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Mix a few drops of rosewater into the jam, but don't go crazy with it - it's very strong!
• For the crystallized petals, turn the oven right down to 110°C/225°F/gas 1. Whisk the egg white to stiff peaks. Use a pastry brush to coat the rose petals on both sides with a very thin layer of the egg white, then sprinkle over some caster sugar.
• Shake off the excess sugar and lay the petals on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes in the oven, or until the petals are firm to the touch.
• For the vanilla cream, split the vanilla pod lengthways and scrape out the seeds, then whip the cream with the vanilla seeds and sugar until you get soft peaks.
• Spread the jam and then the vanilla cream over one of the cakes and scatter the raspberries on top. Place the second cake on top.
• Dust with icing sugar and decorate with the crystallized rose petals. Serve on a beautiful cake stand to really show off your creation, and enjoy.

SOPHIE DAHL'S ORANGE AND RASPBERRY VICTORIA SPONGE RECIPE

Steps:

• Start with the cake: Turn the oven on to 180ºC. Grease the tins, line the bottom of both tins with greaseproof paper and then lightly flour them. See our How to line a round cake tin video
• Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar.
• Mix the eggs together in a separate bowl then pour them into your mixer.
• Sieve in the flour and add the orange zest.
• Split the mixture evenly between the two cake tins and then bake in the oven for around 25-30 mins until they are golden brown and feel slightly springy on top.
• While they are baking make your jam and icing. For the jam put the raspberries, orange juice and heaped tablespoon of golden caster sugar into a small pan. Heat gently and allow to slowly break down and reduce into a jammy consistency, then leave to cool.
• For the icing: Mix the softened butter with the sieved icing sugar, juice of ½ an orange and the zest of a whole orange.
• When the cakes are cool, spread some icing on to the top of one sponge, then some jam, then sandwich them together and spread the remaining buttercream over the top. Zest over a little more orange to serve.

VICTORIA SPONGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
• In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and cream well. Add the eggs, vanilla, and salt and continue to mix well, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula occasionally. Fold in the sifted flour and pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake until golden brown and firm to the touch in the center, about 25 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack. Unmold and, using a serrated knife, slice the cake in half horizontally into 2 layers.
• To make Victoria Sponge Sandwiches: Dust your rolling pin and work surface with confectioners' sugar, and roll the marzipan into a disk the size of the cake. Using a knife, trim the marzipan to fit the circumference of the cake exactly. Spread the cut-sides of the cake layers with raspberry jam and sandwich the marzipan layer in between the jam-dressed cake layers. Press all the layers together; then cut into wedges, to serve. Dust the wedges liberally with confectioners' sugar.

ORANGE & RASPBERRY VICTORIA SPONGE

Steps:

• Start with the cake. Turn the oven on to 180C/356°F Grease two 2 x 8in Victoria sandwich tins; line the bottom of both tins with grease proof paper and then lightly flour them.
• Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar.
• Mix the eggs together in a separate bowl then pour them into your mixer.
• Sieve in the flour.
• Add the orange zest.
• Split the mixture evenly between the two cake tins and then bake in the oven for around 25- 30 minutes until they are golden brown and feel slightly springy on top.
• While they are baking make your jam and icing. For the jam put the raspberries, orange juice and heaped tablespoon of golden caster sugar into a small pan. Heat gently and allow to slowly break down and reduce into a jammy consistency, then leave to cool.
• For the icing, mix the softened butter with the sieved icing sugar, juice of ½ an orange and the zest of a whole orange.
• When the cakes are cool - spread some icing on to the top of one sponge, then some jam, then sandwich them together and spread the remaining buttercream over the top. Zest over a little more orange to serve.

GRANNY'S VICTORIA SPONGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Grease and flour two 20cm sandwich tins.
• Place 200g softened unsalted butter, 200g caster sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract into a bowl and beat well to a creamy consistency.
• Slowly beat in 4 medium eggs, one by one, then fold in 200g self-raising flour and mix well.
• Divide the mix between the cake tins, place into the oven and bake for about 20 mins until risen and golden brown. The cakes should spring back when gently pushed in the middle.
• When ready, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 mins in the tin, before turning out onto a wire rack and cooling completely.
• Spread about 6 tbsp raspberry jam onto one cake and top with 250ml whipped double cream. Sandwich the cakes together and dust with icing sugar.

VICTORIA SPONGE

Steps:

• you will need: 2x19cm (71/2 in) diameter, 4cm (11/2in) deep sandwich cake tins, greased and bases lined with baking parchment.
• Preheat the oven to 180C, 160C fan, 350F, gas mark 4.
• Prepare the cake tins, weigh ingredients and sift the flour 3 times to give it a good airing.
• Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature.
• In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a hand held electric whisk until pale and light- about 10 minutes.
• Mix the eggs and vanilla with a fork.
• Gradually whisk the eggs into the creamed mixture- in about 5 parts.
• Beat each addition of egg in well before adding the next.
• Add a little of the sifted flour with the last addition of egg if the mixture looks like it is separating.
• When all the egg has been beaten in, lightly fold in half the flour using a metal tablespoon.
• Then fold in the remaining flour until combined.
• Divide the mixture between the cake tins and spread level.
• bake in the centre of the oven for 20-25 minutes.
• Touch the centre of each cake with your fingertips if they fell springy and no imprint remains, they are done.
• Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tins for 2 minutes, then turn out on to a cooling rack.
• Sandwich the layers together with jam or curd and dust with icing sugar.

ULTIMATE TRADITIONAL VICTORIA SPONGE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the base and sides of two 20cm sandwich tins.
• Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric whisk for 8-10 mins, or until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt, and fold in using a large metal spoon. Add just enough of the milk to create a dropping consistency.
• Divide the batter between the prepared tins and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 mins, or until golden and firm to the touch. Leave to cool slightly in the tins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the macerated berries. Mix the sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and mint together until the sugar has dissolved. Gently stir in the strawberries and raspberries until coated in the mixture. Transfer to the fridge and chill for 30-45 mins until softened.
• To make the crème diplomat, put the custard, vanilla pod and sugar in a pan set over a medium heat and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. Mix the custard powder with 3 tbsp water to dilute and stir until smooth. Whisk into the boiling custard, then reduce the heat to a simmer and continue whisking for 2-3 mins until thick. Put in a heatproof bowl and leave to cool slightly, then chill until cooled completely. Whisk the double cream to soft peaks, and when the custard is cool, remove the vanilla pod and whisk in the cream until the mix is thick enough to pipe.
• Drain the macerated berries, reserving the liquid. To assemble, spread half the crème diplomat over one of the sponges, then top with three-quarters of the berries. Invert the second sponge on top, so the flat base of the sponge is facing up, and dust with some icing sugar. Put the remaining crème diplomat in a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle and pipe rosettes around the edge of the cake. Dot the rest of the berries between the rosettes of cream, and serve with the reserved macerating liquid alongside - don't pour it over before serving as it will split the crème diplomat. Will keep in the fridge for up to three days.

CLASSIC VICTORIA SANDWICH RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Butter two 20cm sandwich tins and line with non-stick baking paper.
• In a large bowl, beat 200g caster sugar, 200g softened butter, 4 beaten eggs, 200g self-raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 2 tbsp milk together until you have a smooth, soft batter.
• Divide the mixture between the tins, smooth the surface with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
• Bake for about 20 mins until golden and the cake springs back when pressed.
• Turn onto a cooling rack and leave to cool completely.
• To make the filling, beat the 100g softened butter until smooth and creamy, then gradually beat in 140g sifted icing sugar and a drop of vanilla extract (if you're using it).
• Spread the buttercream over the bottom of one of the sponges. Top it with 170g strawberry jam and sandwich the second sponge on top.
• Dust with a little icing sugar before serving. Keep in an airtight container and eat within 2 days.