Victoria Sponge Cake

A traditional British tea time treat, this buttery flavored layer Victoria Sponge cake is filled with buttercream and a layer of jam.

I am a big watcher of British TV and over the years I have heard references to Victoria Sponge Cake, especially during all those afternoon tea time scenes that come with British TV.  A slice of Victoria Sponge just seems to go with tea!  So while I was in England I actually had my first and my second piece of Victoria Sponge Cake.  I enjoyed a slice in Canterbury and then at tea with my girls in London.

What is a Victoria Sponge Cake?

The cake has been around a long time and is called such because it was the favorite of Queen Victoria.  She liked to have a slice with her tea every day.  The first recipe for this cake was recorded in 1615.  It is a firm cake but has an aerated texture (holes) so thus the name “sponge.”  It traditionally has a layer of raspberry jam and vanilla cream in the middle.

Victoria Sponge Ingredients

This cake consists of three parts:

1. 2 Layer White Cake. This cake recipe calls for caster sugar which is super fine sugar as well as self rising flour. To make your own self raising flour just  use add 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt to each cup of all purpose flour.
2. Buttercream Frosting. Uses, sugar, butter and powdered sugar. If you prefer, you can use a layer of whip cream instead of buttercream for a lighter, less sweat cake.
3. Raspberry Jam. I used homemade but you could always use store bought. You can also use strawberry jam.

How to Make a Victoria Sponge Cake

cake layer

• Grease and flour two 8 inch round cake pans. Line bottom of pan with wax paper or parchment paper.
• In a mixing bowl beat together butter and sugar.
• Add in eggs
• Mix in flour, baking powder, and milk
• Divide batter between two pans and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cool and remove from pans and place on a cooling rack.

How to Make Buttercream Frosting

• Beat butter until creamy and add in sugar.
• Add in vanilla.
• Spread over one of the cake layers.

How to Assemble the Cake

1. Place one layer of the cake on your cake plate.
2. Add buttercream frosting on top of cake.
3. Add layer of jam.
4. Top with other cake layer
5. Dust with powdered sugar.

Of course a cup of tea is a requirement! The original recipe I used was British so the measurements were in grams so I have converted them for you.

Frequently Asked Questions?

For more favorite tea time treats be sure and try these:

• Tea Sandwiches
• Lemon Curd
• Cream Scones
• Lemon Shortbread

For other delicious treats try these:

• Lemon Sponge Cake
• Buttercream Frosting
• Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
• Bridal Shower Tea Party
• The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Be sure and follow  me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.