Mary berry fresh cream sponge cake
Mary berry fresh cream sponge cake is a classic British dessert that consists of two layers of light and fluffy sponge cake sandwiched together with whipped cream and jam. The cake is then dusted with powdered sugar for a simple yet elegant finish. Mary Berry, an iconic figure in the UK baking scene, has perfected this recipe over years of experience as a judge on “The Great British Bake Off” and through her own cookbooks. This deliciously indulgent treat is perfect for any special occasion or afternoon tea party!
Why people also love Mary berry fresh cream sponge cake
People love Mary Berry’s fresh cream sponge cake because it is a classic British dessert that has been perfected by one of the most iconic figures in the UK baking scene. The light and fluffy texture of the sponge cake paired with whipped cream and jam creates a perfect balance of flavors, making it an indulgent treat that can be enjoyed on any special occasion or as part of an afternoon tea party. Additionally, its elegant appearance makes it not only delicious but also visually stunning, making it a showstopper at any event!
Sarah and her family traveled to England for the summer holidays. While exploring London, they stumbled upon a quaint little bakery that served the most delicious fresh cream sponge cakes they had ever tasted. Determined to recreate the experience back home in Australia, Sarah found Mary Berry’s recipe online and experimented with it until she got it just right.
Ingredients:
- 225g self-raising flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 225g caster sugar
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- For the filling and topping:
- Strawberry jam (or any other flavor of your choice)
- Whipped double cream
- Icing sugar, to dust
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas mark 4. Grease two round sandwich tins with butter and line them with baking parchment.
- Sift together the flour and baking powder into a bowl.
- In another mixing bowl, beat together the caster sugar and eggs until pale in color using an electric mixer or a whisk.
- Add the flour mixture to the egg and sugar mixture, a little at a time, folding it in gently using a metal spoon until everything is well combined.
- Next, add the milk and vanilla extract to the batter and stir gently until smooth.
- Divide the cake batter evenly between your two prepared sandwich tins.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top and springy to touch.
- Remove from oven once done baking and allow them to cool completely before assembling with filling
- Once cooled down spread jam over one of the cakes then cover with whipped cream
- Place other cake layer on top of this one like sandwich
- Dust icing sugar on top as desired
- Serve chilled
Quick Facts
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour (including cooling time)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Equipment Needed: Two round sandwich tins, baking parchment, mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk.
- Yield: One 2-Layered cake (serves approximately 8 people)
- Servings Suggestions: Serve as part of an afternoon tea party with a variety of other sweet treats and finger sandwiches. This cake also makes a great dessert for any special occasion!
Expert Tips & Tricks:
- Be sure to measure your ingredients accurately using a kitchen scale or measuring cups/spoons.
- To ensure that your sponge cakes are light and fluffy in texture, be careful not to overmix the batter.
- When assembling the cake, be sure to spread a generous amount of jam and whipped cream between the layers for maximum flavor.
- To make this cake even more special, try adding fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries on top of the whipped cream layer before placing the second sponge layer on top.
Nutrition Information:
This recipe is high in calories and sugar due to its rich ingredients such as butter, caster sugar, jam and double cream. Each serving (1/8th of a cake) contains approximately 450 calories.
Presentation:
To present your Mary Berry fresh cream sponge cake beautifully, dust it with icing sugar just before serving for an elegant finish. You can also decorate it with fresh berries or edible flowers if desired!
Variations and substitutions you can make for Mary berry fresh cream sponge cake recipe:
- Fruit Flavors: You can swap the strawberry jam with other fruit flavors like raspberry, blueberry or blackberry to give your cake a different flavor.
- Lemon Sponge Cake: Add the zest of 1 lemon into the batter before baking to create a light and refreshing lemon sponge cake.
- Chocolate Sponge Cake: Replace 25g of flour with cocoa powder in the recipe to create a chocolate sponge cake. You can also add chocolate chips or grated dark chocolate into the batter for extra richness.
- Dairy-Free Version: To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute butter with margarine or vegan spread and use whipped coconut cream instead of double cream.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free self-raising flour instead of regular self-raising flour if you need to make this cake gluten-free.
- Vegan Version: For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water) and use plant-based milk instead of regular milk.
- Nutella Sponge Cake: Spread a layer of Nutella between the sponge layers instead of jam for a rich and indulgent twist on the classic recipe.
- Coffee Sponge Cake: Add 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules into the batter before baking to create a delicious coffee-flavored sponge cake.
- Boozy Version: Brush each layer with your favorite liqueur or brandy for an adult version that’s perfect for celebrations like birthdays or Christmas!
- Savory Twist: Swap out the sugar in the recipe for grated cheese and add herbs like thyme or rosemary to create a savory sponge cake that’s perfect for serving as part of a cheeseboard or alongside soups and stews.
Recommendations and notices:
- Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin baking.
- Use a good quality strawberry jam for the filling as it will greatly affect the taste of the finished cake.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough and dry sponge.
- To ensure an even rise, make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature before baking.
- When assembling the cake, be gentle with handling each layer so that they don’t break or crumble apart.
- If you’re planning on storing this cake for later use, refrigerate it but remove from fridge 30 minutes prior serving time so that it can come back up to room temperature
- For best results, always follow recipe instructions carefully and accurately, especially when it comes to measurements and timings.
- If you’re making any substitutions or variations to the recipe, make sure they are appropriate for your dietary needs or preferences.
- Don’t rush the process of whipping the cream as over-whipping can cause it to turn into butter. Stop whipping once soft peaks form.
- Finally, have fun with this recipe! Experiment with different flavors and decorations to create a cake that’s unique and perfect for any occasion.
FAQ for Mary berry fresh cream sponge cake
Yes, you can make the sponge layers a day in advance and store them in an airtight container until ready to assemble. However, it is recommended to fill with whipped cream just before serving.
This cake is best eaten on the day it is made but will keep well covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.
It’s not recommended as freezing can affect the texture of the whipped cream filling.
Use self-raising flour which already contains baking powder. If you don’t have self-raising flour, add 2 teaspoons of baking powder to every 150g of plain flour.
Yes, you can use any type of fresh fruit that pairs well with whipped cream such as raspberries or blueberries.
Grease and line your baking pans with parchment paper before pouring in the batter. You can also dust them lightly with flour to help release the cake once it’s baked.
Unfortunately, this recipe requires eggs for structure and texture so it cannot be made without them. However, there are many egg substitutes available on the market that you could try using instead.