They are not, they are actually one of the most easiest cakes around. Require little ingredients and just a bit of time.
My Nan is famous for her sponge. She always has a couple in the freezer to pull out when people come around. Before I was married and still living at home I was lucky enough to spend time with Nan once a week and help her with cleaning and jobs around the house. It was when she lived at her old house in the country and was more able than she is now, but still appreciated a bit of help with vacuuming and washing the floors. When Pop still went to work every day at the river and would drive home with his dog, Sandy on the back of the ute for a hot lunch. They are much older now and much less able. They don't live in the country anymore and Pop doesn't go to work. But those memories are still alive.
During one of my visits, Nan requested I do some cooking for her so that she could stock up the freezer with some goodies. It was that day she taught me how to make her world famous sponge cake. And I'm glad she taught me, standing over my shoulder with very definite instructions. If she had just handed me the recipe, it would have failed. I know I would have skipped the part where I was supposed to beat the eggs and sugar for "at least" 10 minutes. It would have been more like 2 or 3 minutes. And I know I wouldn't have bothered folding the dry ingredients in with a fork. I would have thrown them in and let the beaters do the mixing. And then my sponge would have failed.
Trust me when I say it is easy...as long as you follow the instructions exactly as they are written.
Sponge Cake
3/4 cup castor sugar
4 eggs
3/4 cup cornflour
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp plain flour
Beat sugar and eggs for at least 10 minutes until very creamy.
Sift together baking powder, cornflour and plain flour. Add to egg mixture and stir with a fork until just combined.
Grease two sandwich tins and divide mixture evenly between the two. Gently tap each tin on the bench.
Bake in a 200 degree celcuis oven for 20 minutes.
When cool, fill with jam and whipped cream.
P.S. The new blogroll is making my life MUCH more enjoyable...I only have to click on blogs when they have been updated!
6 comments:
Thank you for the story and the cake recipe. I may have to make one - probably need a mixer first. Do you reckon it would work with hand beaters??
Oh my I die for Nan T's sponge so I can't wait to try this recipe.
Yum - LOVE Nan's sponge cake - have never made it though. Will have to attempt it when I get a new mixer. I am loving the new blogroll too - saves me HEAPS of time everyday - and I don't have a lot of time to sit on the computer at the moment!
Nan's sponge recipe is great. When I first made it I expected it to fail but after following the instuctions step by step (like you said) it is easy and comes out perfect every time.
im not one for sponge cakes but that looks yummy.
Aunty coll supports the myth of sponges are hard! i have to agree, cant say ive ever tried tho :P ill leave it upto you and nanna :D xo
Your recipes look so yummy! I had to google castor sugar-we call it superfine sugar here in the US. There are lots of things you guys have different names for. I'm getting quite the education. I love to check out your blog.
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