Martha Collison's classic Victoria sponge

Instructions

1. 1

   About an hour before you are ready to bake, get the butter out of the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature so it is soft enough to cream. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Grease and line 2 x 20cm round sandwich tins with baking parchment.

2. 2

   Place the softened butter and sugar into a large mixing bowl and use a handheld electric whisk to cream the mixture together until light and fluffy. The colour should change from yellow to white. This takes around 5-10 minutes.

3. 3

   Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, until combined. Use a spatula to fold in the flour and baking powder, stopping mixing as soon as the mixture is smooth.

4. 4

   Divide the mixture between 2 prepared tins and level the top with a spatula. Bake in the middle of the oven for 25-30 minutes until the sponge is golden on top and well risen. A skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean. Let the sponges cool for 10 minutes in the tins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

5. 5

   Whip the cream into soft peaks and spread or pipe onto the bottom layer of sponge. Pipe the jam over the top of the cream, or spread over the top layer, sandwich together and serve immediately.