Tilly Pamment’s Strawberry & Rhubarb Jam Victoria Sponge Recipe

These Strawberry & Rhubarb Jam Victoria Sponges from Handfuls of Sunshine by Tilly Pamment celebrate simplicity and summer flavours.

There’s something irresistibly joyful about a Victoria sponge, that classic combination of soft cake, sweet jam, and clouds of cream. But shrink it down to a dainty, handheld size and it becomes pure magic. These Strawberry & Rhubarb Jam Victoria Sponges from Handfuls of Sunshine by Tilly Pamment are the ultimate celebration of simplicity and summer flavours.

The batter, made with cream instead of butter, comes together in one bowl, no mixer required. And the filling? A swirl of whipped yoghurt-cream and your best homemade jam (or a trusty jar from the pantry) brings it all to life. Perfect for your next High Tea at home.

Images and text from Handfuls of Sunshine by Tilly Pamment, photography by Tilly Pamment. Murdoch Books RRP $39.99.

Ingredients

Cakes:

• Unsalted butter, to grease
• A little plain (all-purpose) flour, to dust
• 200 ml (7 fl oz) thick (double) cream
• 165 g (53/4 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 2 eggs
• 150 g (51/2 oz) self-raising flour
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

To Fill:

• 200 ml (7 fl oz) thickened (whipping) cream
• 100 g (31/2 oz) Greek-style yoghurt
• 1 tablespoon icing (confectioners’) sugar mixture, plus extra to dust
• 1 teaspoon rosewate
• 160 g (51/2 oz) Strawberry & Rhubarb Jam

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F) fan-forced and grease a 6-hole large muffin tin (with 180 ml/53/4 fl oz capacity holes) well with softened butter.
2. I have a tin with straight-sided cups, which looks lovely, but a regular large muffin tin works just as well. Dust the tin with a little plain flour, tapping out any excess.
3. Make the cake batter by placing the cream, sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and using a hand whisk to combine. Do not overmix or the cream will become too stiff. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking after each addition. Add the self-raising flour and salt to the bowl, and whisk briefly to form a smooth batter.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared tins, smoothing the tops with a spatula and tapping the tins gently on the bench to remove any air bubbles.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes or until the cakes have risen and are cooked through.
6. Allow the cakes to cool in their tins for 10 minutes before carefully turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. When ready to assemble the cakes, make the filling by whipping the cream, yoghurt, sugar and rosewater to soften peaks.
8. Split the cakes in half, and top the bottom halves with a generous scoop of the cream mixture. Use the back of a spoon to create a little nest in the cream, then place a spoonful of jam on top.
9. Gently sandwich the tops of the cakes on and dust liberally with icing sugar.

Store & Share:

These cakes are best served soon after assembling

Strawberry & Rhubarb Jam Recipe:

Ingredients

• 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 300 g (101/2 oz) rhubarb, cut into 2 cm (3/4 inch) pieces
• 440 g (14 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
• 125 ml (4 fl oz) lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
• 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped or 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
• 2 teaspoons rosewater (optional)

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) fan-forced.
• Place the strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla bean seeds and pod (or paste) in a large deep baking tray and mix well, making sure that no dry bits of sugar remain.
• Spread the fruit out into an even layer and place the tray in the preheated oven to cook for 20 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbling around the edges of the tray.
• Carefully take the tray out of the oven and mash the fruit with a potato masher or fork. Return the tray to the oven and cook for a further 15–20 minutes.
• Watch the jam carefully at this point as it can bubble over if it is cooked for too long.
• When the jam has reduced slightly and is bubbling and fragrant, carefully remove the tray from the oven.
• Give the jam another little mash, stir in the rosewater (if using), then ladle it into a sterilised jar and seal while hot.

Store & Share:

Unopened jam will keep for up to 3 months in a cool place. Once opened, store in the refrigerator and use within a month.

Discover More Recipes