Cake 12 - Victoria Sponge Cake

On Saturday we went to Caerwys country fair for a fun filled day out. Although many of you may think of me as the glamorous cake baker with a jazzy apron, there is another side of me that loves getting up to my knees mud looking at old tractors and prize winning cattle, and I just can't resist the smell of an old steam engine. Oh yes, my name is Bridie and I am a steamoholic. This blog could just have easily been 'Bridie's life in Steam.' I'm just one flat cap away from owning my own steam engine. Well, maybe not.

Caerwys country show was an educational experience in many respects. The first thing we learnt was that if you own a Shetland pony you have to be under 5ft tall. The second thing we learnt was that being in a tent with 500 chickens and pigeons is a very claustrophobic and smelly experience. The third thing we learnt was that the competition for prize winning sponge cakes is very below par these days. Imagine my horror when I saw just four sorry looking sponge cakes through the plastic window of a 'closed for judging' cake marquee. If I'd have entered there's a chance I could have won first prize!

I'm going to make it my mission to enter one of these competitions and see if I can take home a red rosette! With this is mind, I thought I'd better get formulating my prize winning sponge cake recipe. No corners will be cut, tins will be lined, and doilies will be used. I'm sure that the Women’s Institute are quaking in their Scholl sandals.

As it happens, I have a small amount of experience in these type of competitions. Back in 1995 I entered my guinea pig in the Cheshire show. It was an ingenious way to get a day off school at poor Squiggler’s expense, and despite him spending the day hiding behind a piece of hay, pooping on the judge, and making an escape attempt that would make Houdini look like a Britain’s got Talent reject - he won first prize! I got 53p in prize money.

I'm hoping I can repeat this success with my Victoria sponge cake.
This week’s first attempt at a prize winning sponge was a valiant effort. The below picture may look like a rack on a cooling rack so to speak, but it is in fact my light fluffy sponge just out of the oven.

My top tip for sponge of epic proportions is extra egg white, and a lot of whisking! This week I filled the sponge with raspberry jam and fresh cream. For future competition purposes I might make my own raspberry jam, but for a Sunday night post-ironing treat, Harley’s will do just fine.