If you're helping someone celebrate a birthday, or even if you just fancy creating a delicious treat for family and friends then a Victoria Sponge is the perfect recipe for you. With it's soft vanilla sponge, coupled with sweet, sticky strawberry jam is a universally adored dessert. Learn more about creating the perfect Victoria Sponge in this handy recipe from NEFF. 

Ingredients

Cake

• 200g softened unsalted butter
• 200g caster sugar
• 4 medium eggs, room temperature
• 200g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder

Filling

• 100g softened unsalted butter
• 150g icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 150g raspberry jam
• 1 tbsp caster sugar

Step 1

Heat the oven to CircoTherm® 160°C. Grease and line 2 x 20cm (8 inch) diameter cake tins with baking parchment.

Step 2

For the cakes, place the butter, sugar, eggs, flour and baking powder in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk, using the whisk attachment, for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy (you can use an electric whisk in a bowl if you prefer).

Step 3

Divide the mixture evenly between the two tins and smooth out with a spatula. Place in the oven on levels 1 and 3 for 25-30 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and an inserted skewer comes out clean. You can place the cakes on levels 1, 2 or 3 in the oven as the heat is even throughout the oven using the CircoTherm® setting.

Step 4

Leave to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack. Peel off the baking parchment and leave to cool completely.

Step 5

Meanwhile, make the buttercream by whisking together the butter, icing sugar and vanilla extract until creamy.

Step 6

Place one of the sponges on a serving plate and spread on the buttercream. Top with the jam and place the second sponge on top.

Step 7

Sprinkle the top of the sponge cake with caster sugar and serve.