Raspberry Sponge Cake

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Title: Raspberry sponge cake

Category: Cake

Time: 70 min

Servings: 8

  • 225g unsalted butter , softened, plus extra for greasing
  • 225g golden caster sugar
  • 4 medium eggs , beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 225g self-raising flour , sifted
  • 150ml double cream
  • 1 tsp rosewater
  • Dried rose petals
  • Handful raspberries
  • First step: Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly grease two 20cm cake tins and line with baking parchment. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs a little at a time, scraping down the side of the bowl after each addition. If the mixture starts to curdle, add 1 tsp flour. Add the vanilla extract, mix in half the flour, then fold in the rest.
  • Second step: Divide the mixture between the cake tins and bake for 20-25 mins – a skewer inserted into the middle of the cakes should come out clean. Leave to cool in the tins for 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Third step: Meanwhile, make the filling. Whisk the cream to soft peaks, adding the rosewater as you go, then fold in the jam, being careful not to over-mix.
  • Fourth step: Place one of the sponges on a serving plate and top with the cream mixture. Scatter with the raspberries, then top with the other sponge.
  • Fifth step: For the icing, mix together the icing sugar, 2 tbsp water and the rosewater, and stir in the juice from a few crushed raspberries. Drizzle over the cake, arrange the rose petals and the remaining raspberries on top and dust with icing sugar.