Classic Victoria sponge recipe

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4. Cut 2 x 18cm discs of baking paper. Grease 2 x 18cm sandwich tins, line the bases with the baking paper, then grease again.
2. Put the butter in a bowl with the caster sugar and beat together until really light and fluffy.
3. Gradually add the eggs, beating well after each addition, then sift over the flour and fold in gently with a spatula or metal spoon to combine. Fold in enough milk to give a smooth ‘dropping’ consistency.
4. Divide the mixture evenly between the tins – use scales. Bake in the centre of the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden. A skewer inserted into the middle should come out clean (don’t do this to both cakes – you want a pristine example for the top).
5. Allow to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack that’s covered in a clean cotton tea towel to prevent marking. Carefully turn over (remove the towel) and allow to cool completely.
6. Once cold, place the skewered half, bottom-side up, on a cake stand and spread generously with raspberry jam. Top with the other cake, bottom down, then sprinkle with caster sugar before serving.