How to Make a Victoria Sandwich Cake: A Classic Recipe for Every Baker

The Victoria Sandwich Cake, named after the queen who adored it, is a timeless British classic. This simple yet elegant cake, with its delicate crumb, fluffy texture, and luscious filling, is perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a casual afternoon tea or a grand celebration, the Victoria Sandwich Cake never fails to impress.

This recipe guides you through each step, making it easy even for novice bakers to create this beloved treat. So put on your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s bake a Victoria Sandwich Cake fit for a queen!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to gather to make this delightful cake:

For the Cake:

• 200g (1 1/3 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 200g (1 1/3 cup) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 200g (1 1/3 cup) self-rising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp milk

For the Filling:

• 100g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 140g (1 cup) confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tbsp strawberry jam (or your favorite jam)

Optional:

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Tools You’ll Need

Baking is a breeze with the right tools! Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• Two 20cm (8-inch) round cake pans
• Parchment paper
• Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
• Spatula
• Serrated knife
• Cooling rack

Baking the Perfect Victoria Sandwich Cake: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare Your Pans: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease two 20cm (8-inch) round cake pans with butter and line the bottoms with parchment paper. This ensures your cake won’t stick and will come out cleanly.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This creates air pockets, making the cake tender. “Creaming” refers to the process of beating these ingredients until they are pale and airy.

3. Incorporate the Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures the eggs are fully incorporated and prevents the batter from curdling.

4. Fold in the Dry Ingredients: Sift together the self-rising flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as it can lead to a tough cake.

5. Add Milk and (Optional) Vanilla: Stir in the milk and vanilla extract. The milk adds moisture and helps create a soft crumb.

6. Divide and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Use a spatula to smooth the tops. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cool the Cakes: Once baked, let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cakes from becoming soggy.

8. Make the Filling: While the cakes cool, make the filling. Beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add the jam and beat until combined. You can use any flavor of jam you like, but strawberry is the classic pairing for a Victoria Sandwich Cake.

9. Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, use a serrated knife to carefully level the tops if needed. Spread the jam filling evenly over one cake layer. Top with the second cake layer.

10. Dust with Confectioners’ Sugar: Dust the top of the cake with confectioners’ sugar for a classic finish.

Victoria Sandwich Cake

Tips for Baking the Perfect Victoria Sandwich Cake

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you begin. Room temperature ingredients mix more easily and result in a lighter cake.
• Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense, chewy cake.
• Even Baking: Ensure your oven is properly preheated and that the cakes are placed in the center of the oven for even baking.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow the cakes to cool completely before filling and frosting. This prevents the filling from melting and the cake from becoming soggy.

FAQs About Making a Victoria Sandwich Cake

Q: Can I use all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour?

A: Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour, but you’ll need to add 2 teaspoons of baking powder to the recipe.

Q: Can I freeze a Victoria Sandwich Cake?

A: Yes, you can freeze the cake layers before filling. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before filling and frosting.

Q: What other fillings can I use?

A: Get creative! While strawberry jam is traditional, you can use any flavor of jam, lemon curd, whipped cream, or even fresh berries.

Victoria Sandwich Cake Ingredients

Enjoy Your Royal Treat!

The Victoria Sandwich Cake, with its uncomplicated charm and delicious simplicity, is a testament to the fact that sometimes the most basic recipes are the best.

So go ahead, bake a batch, and share it with someone special. They’ll surely appreciate the effort and savor the taste of this timeless classic. Don’t forget to share your baking experience and any variations you try in the comments below! For more delightful recipes like this one, explore the rest of our website, starting with this tempting Battenberg Cake recipe: (https://familycuisine.net/how-to-make-battenberg-cake/). Happy baking!