DailyKitchen

Victoria Sponge Cake

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour, measured by spooning into cup
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Filling:
approx 1/2 cup jam or a little more (eg. strawberry, raspberry, blueberry or peach), homemade with fresh fruit if you like
1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped (can omit)

Cream butter and sugar. Beat eggs and add to creamed mixture a little at a time, beating after each addition. If it starts to curdle, add a tablespoonful of flour. Stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Fold dry into wet just until combined, don’t overmix.

Butter two 8 or 9″ round cake pans. Line with wax paper. Pour batter evenly into the pans and gently spread. Bake at 350*F for about 20 – 25 minutes until top springs back when gently pressed, or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Run knife around the edge and turn out gently onto cooling rack. Remove wax paper.

When cool, spread one of the cake rounds generously with jam and whipped cream. Place the other cake round on top, and dust with powdered sugar. Serve for tea.

Alternatives:
Fill with lemon or lime curd.
Fill with frosting – chocolate, vanilla, lemon…
Omit whipped cream.
Fill with frosting and jam.
Fill with fresh berries and whipped cream.
Serve with fresh berries and/or ice cream.
Flavor the cake with grated lemon or orange rind.
Moisten with simple sugar syrup brushed over the cake.

Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar and 1 cup water brought to a boil and simmered for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat, and allow to cool. Add flavorings as desired, such as raspberry, orange or almond extract, liqueur flavored extract, pureed fruit, 3 tablespoons instant coffee, etc.

I think this is one of the reasons I always gained weight over Christmas. It was sooo good, I just couldn’t stop. Slice after delicious slice.
Some years, Mom would bake these in large quantities and deliver them to neighbors and friends. Or she’d give plates full of all sorts of Christmas-y cookies and [...]

The kids liked this. You may be able to sneak in a little more spinach.
Sour Cream Chicken and Mashed Potato Casserole
1 cup sliced onions (approx)
1 tomato, diced
1 cup frozen spinach (more if you like)
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp butter
5-6 medium potatoes (enough for 6 servings)
1/3 cup sour cream
sprinkle of parmesan [...]

Southern Peach Pound Cake
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups fresh peaches, chopped (2 to 3 large peaches, skins and pits removed)
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla. Toss 1/4 cup of the [...]

This is really just a salty kind of homemade playdough. Make small, medium or large batches. Make with more or less salt. Here’s a few recipes to sample.
Small Batch
1/4 cup salt
1 cup flour
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp oil
Mix together salt and flour. Stir in water, then add oil. [...]