A classic sponge cake, sandwiched together with your favorite flavor of preserves, is a perfect cake for a tea party or an afternoon treat! This recipe is adapted from one of my favorite “tea” party books, SpecialTeas. The texture of sponge cake is very different from that of a butter cake. A sponge cake is much denser and holds together well, so it’s perfect for slicing and filling. Sponge cake easily absorbs the filling, adding a wonderful flavor to a cake that’s a little bit different but delicious. A dusting of confectioner’s sugar is all that’s needed to finish the cake.
This recipe makes one 9-inch cake, which is sliced in half after it has completely cooled. I’ve made this cake many times, especially when I hosted Mother-Daughter tea parties during the days my daughter was a Girl Scout. This time, I decided to double the recipe and make a four layer cake – but you know what? Honestly, I would stay with the single layer. It’s rich and sweet, and four layers may be a wee bit too much! Go for it though, if you want to, and just double the recipe and use two cake pans.
This recipe makes one 9-inch layer cake and can be filled with any flavor of preserves that you like! A sponge cake will not rise as high as a butter cake, but it’s important not to grease the sides of the pan to allow for the moderate rise.
Sponge Cake with Strawberry Preserves
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 2/3 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of cake flour
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ½ cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup of strawberry preserves or any flavor you like
- Confectioner’s sugar
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9 inch cake pan with parchment paper.
In a mixer bowl, beat egg on high speed until they are lemon colored and thick, about 5 minutes. Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until the mixture is very thick and it falls in thick folds when you lift the beaters from the batter.
Add the flour and beat just until well blended. Combine melted and cooled butter, milk and vanilla and add to batter. Mix until well blended but don’t overbeat!
Pour batter into the prepared 9 inch cake pan. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes, turn out on a rack and cool completely.
Slice cake into two layers. Place bottom layer on plate, cut side up, and gently spread preserves evenly over the layer. Place top layer on the jam covered layer. Dust the top with confectioner’s sugar. Slice across a few strawberries, not completely through the berry, and fan them out to garnish the cake.
This cake is really best if made and eaten the same day, though it will still taste great the next day, too! It is not a cake, though, that will hold well for several days. Enjoy a slice with a fragrant cup of hot or iced tea!
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day!
Linking up this recipe at these fabulous parties:
Project Inspire{d} at Cupcakes and Crinoline
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Hi Cindy!
Your pictures of this are incredible, the strawberries glisten and pop off the screen! What a scrumptious looking cake! I would love to have this for a spring and summer dessert. Have a wonderful week:)
Krista
Krista, thank you SO much! It is a good dessert for spring and summer…no melting icing. ? I really appreciate your visit SO much and have a wonderful week!
Oh wow that looks delicious! I want that for breakfast!
xo, Claire
Thanks, Claire…this is SO bad, but I DID have it for breakfast. Nothing like a little sugar to jumpstart the day, right? Thanks for visiting, girlfriend!!
Just printed this off! It’s so doable and something I think the kids and husband will eat. Thanks for sharing this, Cindy!
Hi Mandi! Thanks so much for stopping by and if you make this, I’d love to hear how you like it. Hope you had a happy Mother’s Day. Hugs!
So funny you mention all the layers! Because, I’m the type that will go all out and make it super tall! I actually made my teen’s bday cake last year with 8(!) layers…4 layers of cheesecake with 4 layers of chocolate cake inbetween! The restaurant’s employees/patrons were coming by to take pics of it. But it was a pain to slice! (A mess!)
But knowing me, I’d still go big with this recipe! Pinning onto my “Eat Cake!” board! But also printing because I want to make this today with my niece. I’ll let you know what the fam says…they are going to love this treat!
Hi Gloria – ok, the cheesecake and chocolate cake sounds pretty terrific and I’d like that recipe!! ? Oh, if you make, let me know. Thanks for the pin!!! Hugs!
OOOH, this looks yummy Cindy! I have never made a sponge cake before, I will have to give it a try ?
Hey Lisa! It’s such an easy cake to make! You definitely need to give sponge cake a try. Thanks for visiting, I appreciate it SO much Have a happy week!
YUM! I want to try this!
Hi Lady! Following you back from the Let’s Be Friends Blog Hop! I am so happy I found your blog! New follower of yours on GFC and bloglovin’. Yay. Hope you can follow back!
Tiffany
http://thedwellingtree.blogspot.com
Hi Tiffany! Thanks so much for connecting and so happy to meet you! Following you back on Bloglovin and just visited you on FB. This an easy cake, I’ll think you’ll like it. Have a wonderful week!
Oh. My. Goodness! I’ll be trying this recipe also. There’s nothing better than something strawberry in warm weather.
Angie…you always bring a lot of happiness to this corner of the blogworld! This cake is really easy to make and no worries with melting frosting…:) Really and truly, am so appreciate of all your support. Have a happy week! Hugs!
Oh, Cindy ~ this looks so fabulously delicious!
Thanks so much for sharing at Project Inspire{d} ~ pinning!
hugs,
Mary Beth
Thanks, Mary Beth!!! I appreciate your sweet visit and the pin. Thanks for the party and hugs back!
Thank, Mary Beth – appreciate the party, the pin but most of all, YOU! ? Hugs back!!
How elegant and easy! Yummm!
Thanks, Danni! It is easy, and thanks to Marie from Let’s Pour Tea had the great idea to try this with peaches! Thanks so much for visiting, you are a love!
What a lovely cake, and so versatile too. I can imagine having it with summer peaches.
Hi Marie! Thank you so much for visiting and you are right, it is versatile. I love the idea of using peaches and cannot wait until they are in season! So happy to connect with you and hope you have a wonderful week.
YUMMMMM! I cant’t bake worth anything but this looks delish! I’d love for you to share this and any other projects you’d like at my House Party—http://www.firsthomelovelife.com/2013/05/house-party-3-b-y-o-p-features.html XO
Hi Christine – thanks for much for visiting and connecting! This is such an easy cake, you absolutely could make this! Love joining a party, so thanks for the invite – I’ll bring the dessert! ?
This cake looks so elegant and tasty! I want to reach in my screen and take a bite. ? I’d love for you to share this on my blog link party, Sweet Tooth Tuesdays.
http://sarahlynnssweets.blogspot.com/2013/05/sweet-tooth-tuesdays.html
Hi Sarah Lynn! So nice of you to stop by and if I could hand you a piece of cake, I would! Wouldn’t that be fabulous if we could that (I’d be in SO much trouble, though, eating constantly!) Thank you so much for inviting me to the party! See you there!
Oh my that looks incredible Cindy! My husband would love that!! Might have to make it for him. ?
Nancy, thank you so much! It’s super easy to make. I appreciate your visit and please have a great week!
Oh I love this cake, Cindy! Sponge cake is always good. It’s so light and fluffy! Pinned to my food board!
Julie, thanks for the visit and the pin! ?
Oh man, this looks AMAZING. My Hubby will love this!!
We would love it if you would link up at our linky party: Two Girls and a Party Live every Wednesday to Sunday. Hosted by:
Dana @ This Silly Girl’s Life
Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
We hope to see you there!
Hi Dana, thank you so much, it’s so kind of you to visit and I’m happy that you like the cake! Would love to join the party and appreciate the invitation! Have a good Thursday evening.
Looks soooo yummy! Pinning ?
Thank you for partying with the Wildly Original Crowd.
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
Thanks, Christina! You are such a doll and I appreciate all of your wonderful support SO much! Have a fabulous weekend and see you on Wednesday. ?
Oh my this looks devine!!!
XO
Kristin
Kristin, thank you so much! Have a wonderful Sunday!
Oh my this is too good to look at right now and not be able to have a piece! Lovely recipe!~
This looks delicious. I love desserts with fresh fruit.
Thanks, Jodi! I appreciate your visit and kind comment. Hope you have a great week!
This looks like the perfect dessert for Spring and Summer, Cindy! ? Thank you so much for sharing at last week’s All my Bloggy Friends ? I can’t wait to see what you share this week!
Thanks, Jamie! I always love joining you and Linda at the party and appreciate that you host us every week. Enjoy your day!
Love this Cindy. Sounds so delicious!
Thanks, Julie!!!
I’ve never attempted to make a sponge cake but your recipe and photo has definitely inspired me to give it a try. Your cake looks so delicious I can’t wait to make it. Thanks so much for sharing this with Foodie Friends Friday Sweet Treats party this week.
We look forward to seeing you again soon,
A FFF co-host,
Joanne
Hi Joanne! Thank you so much for visiting and for hosting the great party each Friday! So happy to join in every week. The sponge cake is a little different but very delicious and easy to make. Hope you have a wonderful week and look forward to seeing you at the next party!