Basic Sponge Cake

4 stars based on 29 reviews

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  • Views 43196
  • Added Thu Oct 18 2007
  • I've used this recipe for many years - it is the basis for all the cakes I make. You will be able to create your own cakes by using this recipe.

    Ingredients

    • 4 ozs Flour
    • 4 ozs sugar
    • 4 ozs butter
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 tsp baking powder

    Method

    • Set the oven to 415 F. Grease & bottom line 2 sandwich tins. Put all the ingredients in a bowl and whizz for one minute with an electric hand beater. Divide batter and bake for 12 - 15 minutes or when you get that smell of freshly baked cake! Cool on a wire rack. Spread with your favourite jam, sandwich the cakes and dust with caster sugar.

      Variations - use lemon curd instead of jam, cover the cake with whipped cream, decorate with some canned mandarin oranges and toasted slivered almonds. Serve as a dessert.

      Lemon Loaf - make the loaf using the same ingredients, but add the grated rind of a lemon and increase the amount of baking powder to 1 1/2 tps. Bake in a greased and lined loaf tin at 350 F. This will take longer in the oven (approxiamately 35 - 45 minutes). Make a simple syrup with sugar(4tbs)juice of the lemon, pinch of salt and water (2 tbs). Once the cake is done, prick lots of hole in it while its still in the pan and pour the syrup over it. Leave it to cool in the pan.

      Chocolate Cake - use 3 ozs of flour and 1 oz of good quality cocoa. Follow the same method as for the plain sandwich.

    Recent Comments Add your comment

    • great recipe, simple and real :)

      by twinkle toes on Mon Jan 14 2008   reply to this comment

    • thank you so much been having problems with finding a recipe for my mums birthday cake .

      Been set a task to make one without any prior experience with baking !

      by dellie13 on Tue Sep 30 2008   reply to this comment

    • made the lemon version of this sponge lovely and light really enjoyed it will be making lots more in future
      best wishes
      Judith Douglas

      by juju on Sat May 16 2009   reply to this comment

    • What a great site, i will keep this recipe as its so versatile, great for all occassions, thnx

      by Lorraineboo on Sun May 17 2009   reply to this comment

    • Can you ice this cake???

      by Artist7001 on Thu May 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • we hadded icing n caramal to it and it was lovely i would try it is i was you

      by trenthamchick09 on Sun Aug 23 2009   reply to this comment

    • If you weigh the eggs with their shells on and weigh the sugar, butter and flour to match the weight of the eggs it will be perfect everytime. That way you can make it with 2 eggs, 3 eggs, 4 eggs depending on the size required.
      The variations sound delicious - I can't wait to try some.

      by Pipster on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • Basic but tasty :)

      by Jodie.w on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • This made a super light chocolate cake and fairy buns! Why in the past have I spent ages creaming sugar and butter together and adding things one by one when you can just bung it all in at once and wizz?!? Easy peasy thank you!

      by Tanya_mack on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • Glad you like the recipe. As autumn approaches toss some fruit with brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon and pour the batter on top? Bake it at 350o for around 35 -40 mins.

      by panadura on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • Thank you! Keep experimenting as I have, you'll be amazed at what you can make.

      by panadura on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • My apologies for not responding sooner, yes, the cake can be iced.

      by panadura on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • Will do!

      by panadura on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • I will give it a try.

      by panadura on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • Isn't it great? I used to watch my mother make sponge cakes, they were delicious but a major production.

      by panadura on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • Anything to make life easier.

      by panadura on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • Great recipe, easy and wonderful to make.
      Babylynnor

      by babylynnor01 on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • Thank you, Babylynnor.

      by panadura on Fri Aug 28 2009   reply to this comment

    • This cake came out perfect! i was so pleased that i had achieved in the kitchen!!!!!

      by tircoed33 on Wed Sep 2 2009   reply to this comment

    • THIS WAS THE BEST CAKE I'VE EVER TASTED! And thats saying something! I loved it, I made the lemon one, all of my friends loved it and now they ask me to make it for ach of their birthdays! I URGE YOU TO TRY IT, YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED!

      by Auzuki on Thu Sep 3 2009   reply to this comment

    • Hi, I am trying to find a recipe for a 9 inch square sandwich tins. Can this recipe be adapted for these tins?

      by talktofi on Sun Sep 6 2009   reply to this comment

    • talktofi - it should work in square tins.

      by panadura on Sun Sep 6 2009   reply to this comment

    • What typ of flour?

      by Jimmer on Fri Oct 23 2009   reply to this comment

    • this is good, but for a great sponge cake you need to mix the sugar and butter together first. once that becomes paste like, mix in the eggs 1 by 1 until you have a pale yellow mixture. then sieve the flour in bit by bit and fold in with the other ingredients. then put in the tin and bake. You'll get a better texture and a fluffier cake. Just like mum used to make!! happy cooking!

      by Lauren88 on Mon Mar 8 2010   reply to this comment

    • what type of flour do u put in it cus stupid me tried this recipe using plain flour and it went thin aand hard and it was for my grandad so i was pretty embarrassed ehehe :/

      by Isabel246 on Sat Mar 13 2010   reply to this comment

    • This worked a treat!! Thanks! Next time I think I'll make it the chocolate version, and add whipped cream to the middle.

      by katybean on Tue Jul 6 2010   reply to this comment

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