I've been absent for a while...my nine month baking project is finally out of the oven! Kyle Wilder Mitchell arrived in London, on his due date, at 8lbs 10oz.
With the birth of our baby in London, the gorgeous spring weather and the upcoming Royal nuptials I thought I might make something very English for my first baking project post-baby...Victoria Sponge. Named after Queen Victoria, it is basically jam and whipped cream sandwiched between two layers of vanilla cake. It's not frosted or decorated in any way so it's super simple to make. Since we now have a little one, everything is baby sized, as are my Victoria Sponges. Of course you can make this in the traditional cake version or into regular sized cupcakes if you like.
VICTORIA SPONGE (Vanilla cake recipe adapted from Hummingbird Bakery)
- 120 g all-purpose flour
- 140 g sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 40 g unsalted butter, room temp
- 120 ml whole milk, divided in two
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
METHOD
Using a paddle attachment or hand mixer, beat flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter until the mixture looks like sand. Add half the milk and continue to beat until just combined. Add the remaining milk, egg and vanilla extract and beat till mixture is smooth, taking care not to overbeat.
Divide batter into lined cupcake tin. I used a mini-muffin tin and this recipe makes 24 of them (would make a dozen cupcakes). Bake at 325ºF/ 160ºC for 20 - 22 min (15 - 18 min for mini) or until cake tester comes out clean.
Cool completely, then slice the tops off and spread with strawberry jam (or raspberry) and freshly whipped cream. I used about 1 cup cream and 1/3 cup of jam for this recipe.
Kyle was in a sling slumbering away without a peep during this entire baking project!
Welcome baby Kyle! A big congratulations to you from across the Irish Sea. I had to laugh reading your last line about him happily sleeping in his sling while you baked - my own son did the same. x
Posted by: Kristin | Monday, April 25, 2011 at 08:45 PM
The name makes this cake sound so special, and the whipped cream and jam make it look special too. Congratulations on the arrival of your baby boy! Hope you're getting a little sleep here and there and enjoying every moment.
Posted by: lisaiscooking | Monday, April 25, 2011 at 09:18 PM
Congratulations!! your baby has arrived to beautiful weather. I like sponges just like that, simple. Just made your prunes cookies. taking some to work during the week for when i feel a bit peckish. Would you mind it if I post a portuguese translation of your cookies with all credit to you of course?! have a lovely week.
Posted by: valentina | Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 12:56 AM
Kristin - He's back in the sling again...spends lots of time there during the day =).
lisaiscooking - Kyle did give me a 4 1/2 hour stretch of sleep last night so feeling pretty refreshed!
Valentina - Yes, of course for the prune cookies...glad you enjoy them!
Posted by: gastroanthropologist | Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 11:07 AM
I am so impressed that you are already back to baking and blogging! I can't wait to meet baby Kyle, too bad it won't be in time to taste your Victoria Sponge. So proud of you for becoming a mom!
Posted by: Alethea Bergman | Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Congratulations!!! And this mini Victoria sponge is just adorable and sounds delicious!
Posted by: 5 Star Foodie | Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 02:44 PM
He is absolutely gorgeous, cannot wait to make his acquaintance. The sponge looks just divine and the perfect partner for all this yummy abundant fruit.
Good luck on the sleeping situation
Posted by: OysterCulture | Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Congratulations to you, so wonderful to hear about Kyle's arrival & hope you're all continuing to do well! I rather suspect if that Victoria sponge is anything to go by, you're doing just fine :)
Posted by: Daily Spud | Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 05:41 PM
Congratulations and a happy welcome to Kyle! What a picture you two must have made, baking in the kitchen together. It must have been just as sweet and lovely as this Victoria Sponge!
Posted by: Tangled Noodle | Friday, April 29, 2011 at 03:07 AM
I am a little late to the congratulations but I am so excited for you! What a perfect baby baking project (I am a huge fan of mini things too!). Enjoy your little one!
Posted by: Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite | Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Congratulations to you and your husband! That is wonderful news! I think I'll help you continue the celebration by making your cake. Our strawberries are starting to come on in the garden and this will be the perfect match.
Posted by: Lori | Monday, May 09, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Wow these look great, just need a nice cuppa tea now.
Posted by: Neil Butterfield | Monday, May 23, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Last night I went to a "Beer and Breakfast" party at my friend Kristie's and she said she wanted to make these! Your blog is reaching all the way to Del Rio TX!
Posted by: FOX TWO DESIGN | Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 03:53 PM
A very late congratulations and how I would love to see you both! I so hope you are loving every second of this new phase of your life!
Adorable little treats and funny thing is I have been thinking of Victoria sponge lately and wondering how I could do it... yours are great!
Posted by: Jamie | Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 11:28 AM