WEEK 1 - CAKE WEEK
INGREDIENTS
Salted Butter 200g
Golden Caster Sugar 200g
Large Eggs 4
Self-raising Flour 200g
Vanilla Extract ¾ tsp
Baking Powder 1 tsp
Whole Milk a splash
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FILLING
Double Cream 300ml
Icing Sugar 1 tbsp
Vanilla Extract 1 tsp
Seedless Raspberry Jam 150g
Raspberries 200g
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Lets head back to basics and start our Great Askham Lockdown Bake Off with a simple Victoria Sponge.
Remember it must look good to be awarded Star Baker.
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METHOD
STEP 1
Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and butter and base-line 2 x 20cm loose-bottomed sandwich tins with baking paper. Put the butter and golden caster sugar into a large bowl and use electric beaters to beat the mixture for at least 5 minutes until it turns pale creamy white. Add the eggs 1 at a time, along with 1 tbsp of flour with each egg, and beat for 1 minute between each addition. Continue to beat until tripled in volume and very light and airy. Beat in the vanilla paste.
STEP 2
Sift the remaining flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a separate bowl. Add half into the batter and use a large metal spoon to gently fold it in, being careful not to knock out any air. Add the remaining flour mixture and gently fold in. The mixture should drop off the spoon easily – if not, add 1 tbsp of milk and gently fold again. Divide equally between the tins and bake for 20-25 minutes or until risen, golden and a skewer poked into the centres come out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in their tins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
STEP 3
Whip the cream, icing sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. Put the jam into a bowl and add 1 tbsp of boiling water to loosen to a drizzle-able consistency. Put one of the sponges onto a serving plate, then spoon over the cream. Scatter the raspberries evenly all over, then drizzle over the jam. Put the other sponge on top, then dust over icing sugar and serve.
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READY, STEADY, BAKE!!!
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Don't forget to send us your photos for you to be crowned Star Baker or post them on social media with #TheGreatAskhamLockdownBakeOff2020
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