Sponge Cake Recipe Mary Berry: A Classic Delight For Any Occasion
Introduction
Sponge cakes are a staple in British baking, and Mary Berry's recipe is a classic delight for any occasion. Her recipe is easy to follow and produces a light and fluffy sponge cake that can be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of toppings. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Mary Berry's sponge cake recipe and provide you with all the details you need to make this delicious treat.Ingredients
Before we delve into the instructions, let's take a look at the ingredients you will need to make Mary Berry's sponge cake recipe:- 225g caster sugar
- 225g self-raising flour
- 225g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp milk
Caster Sugar
Caster sugar is a fine sugar that is commonly used in baking. It dissolves quickly and evenly, making it ideal for use in sponge cakes. If you don't have caster sugar, you can make your own by blending granulated sugar in a food processor until it becomes fine.Self-raising Flour
Self-raising flour is a flour that already contains baking powder, which is a leavening agent. This means that you don't need to add any extra baking powder to the recipe. If you don't have self-raising flour, you can make your own by adding 2 teaspoons of baking powder to every 150g of plain flour.Unsalted Butter
Unsalted butter is preferred in baking as it allows you to control the amount of salt in your recipe. If you only have salted butter, you can still use it, but you may need to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe.Eggs
Eggs are a crucial ingredient in sponge cakes as they provide structure and moisture to the cake. It is important to use large eggs in this recipe.Baking Powder
Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the cake rise. It is important to use the correct amount of baking powder as too much can cause the cake to collapse, and too little can result in a dense cake.Milk
Milk is added to the recipe to provide moisture to the cake. You can use any type of milk you prefer, but whole milk is recommended for a richer flavor.Instructions
Now that we have gone through the ingredients, let's take a look at the instructions to make Mary Berry's sponge cake recipe:- Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas 4. Grease two 20cm sandwich tins with butter and line the bases with baking paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Sift in the flour and baking powder and fold gently into the mixture using a metal spoon.
- Stir in the milk until the mixture is smooth.
- Divide the mixture between the two prepared tins and smooth the surfaces using a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cakes are golden brown and springy to the touch.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and leave to cool in the tins for 5 minutes.
- Turn the cakes out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
- Sandwich the cakes together with your desired filling and decorate as desired.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Tins
Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas 4. Grease two 20cm sandwich tins with butter and line the bases with baking paper. This will prevent the cakes from sticking to the tins and make it easier to remove them later.Step 2: Beat the Sugar and Butter
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. This can take a few minutes, so be patient and use an electric mixer if you have one.Step 3: Add the Eggs
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will incorporate air into the mixture and create a light and fluffy sponge cake.Step 4: Sift in the Flour and Baking Powder
Sift in the flour and baking powder and fold gently into the mixture using a metal spoon. This will ensure that the flour is evenly distributed and prevent overmixing, which can result in a tough cake.Step 5: Add the Milk
Stir in the milk until the mixture is smooth. This will provide moisture to the cake and create a tender crumb.Step 6: Divide the Mixture
Divide the mixture between the two prepared tins and smooth the surfaces using a spatula. This will ensure that the cakes bake evenly and have a level surface.Step 7: Bake the Cakes
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cakes are golden brown and springy to the touch. Check the cakes after 20 minutes, and if they need more time, leave them in the oven for a few more minutes.Step 8: Cool the Cakes
Remove the cakes from the oven and leave to cool in the tins for 5 minutes. This will allow the cakes to set and make them easier to remove from the tins.Step 9: Turn the Cakes Out and Cool Completely
Turn the cakes out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely. This will prevent the cakes from becoming soggy and allow them to cool evenly.Step 10: Sandwich and Decorate
Sandwich the cakes together with your desired filling and decorate as desired. You can use whipped cream, frosting, jam, or any other filling you prefer.Nutrition
Now that you know how to make Mary Berry's sponge cake, you may be wondering about its nutritional value. Here is the nutritional information per serving:- Calories: 397
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sodium: 221mg
- Potassium: 98mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 34g