Fresh Strawberry Victoria Sponge Cake

Light, airy and delicious Victoria sponge cake with strawberries and buttercream icing

Ingredients

Makes one large 8-inch cake

For the cake

  • 300g / 1½ cups white sugar
  • 300g / 1¼ cups + 2 Tbsp butter, softened to room temperature
  • 6 large eggs, beaten well
  • 300g / 2 cups + 5 Tbsp all purpose flour, sifted
  • 5½ tsp baking powder
  • 2 Tbsp whole milk
  • 1 generous pinch of salt

For the filling

  • 100g / 7 tbsp butter, at room temperature
  • 140g / 1¼ cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 185g / 6.5oz strawberry preserves
  • 2 punnets fresh strawberries
  • More powdered sugar to decorate

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 190C / 380F and butter and line with parchment paper, two round cake pans measuring 20cm /8 inches across. Butter the paper too.
  2. In a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or large bowl, whisk together the white sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add in the eggs, in a slow steady stream. Remove from the mixer and gradually fold in the flour, baking powder, milk, and salt using a spatula. Mix gently until all ingredients are incorporated.
  3. Divide the batter between the two cake pans and bake for about 25 minutes until lightly golden on the top and the cake springs back when touched. You can also test the center with a skewer and when it comes out clean, you know it is done. Once done, tip out onto a cooling rack and leave to cool completely.
  4. Meanwhile, make the buttercream filling. In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or large bowl, beat together the butter and the icing sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and beat well until incorporated.
  5. Spread the buttercream filling over the top of one cake and spread the strawberry preserves over it. Take one punnet of the strawberries, trim off the green tops, and thinly slice the berries. Scatter the strawberry slices on top of the preserves. Top with the other cake and press down gently to make it secure. Spread more buttercream on the top of the cake and finish with the remaining whole fresh berries. Using a fine sieve, dust the berries with icing sugar to decorate.
  6. Serve immediately with a cup of tea.

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Social media

@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageHandroll bars are finally having their London moment, and as someone who’s spent years happily perched at the counter of New York’s best temaki spots, I’ve been waiting for this. Enter @temakihandrollbar on Maddox Street: sleek, understated and confident enough to call itself exactly what it is.

The signature Temaki roll stole the show. Akami and buttery otoro, crowned with a generous spoonful of caviar and wrapped in nori that shattered with the first bite. That’s the magic of great temaki: it’s all about timing. The contrast between warm, crisp nori and cool, silky fish lasts only moments, which is exactly why it’s served straight into your hands. The otoro melted away almost instantly, while the caviar added just enough briny pop to balance every bite. At £25, it’s an indulgence, but one I’d order again without hesitation.

If raw fish isn’t your thing, don’t worry. The wagyu sliders were rich and satisfying, the soft-shell crab tempura was beautifully crisp, and the aubergine was every bit as memorable.

A welcome addition to Mayfair, and one I’ll happily be returning to.

@temakihandrollbar 📍11 Maddox Street, Mayfair

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