What is a sponge cake in England?
Sponge cake is a light cake made with egg whites, flour and sugar, sometimes leavened with baking powder. The Victorian creation of baking powder by English food manufacturer Alfred Bird in 1843 allowed the addition of butter to the traditional sponge recipe, resulting in the creation of the Victoria sponge.
Does sponge mean cake in UK?
20 Words and Phrases to Know Before You Watch The Great British Baking Show. You say cookie, we say biscuit; you say plastic wrap, we say cling film; you say sponge and mean the thing you clean with, and we mean a lovely cake.
Is British sponge the same as cake?
Basically, a sponge is a cake made very light by whipping the egg and carefully folding in the flour mixture. The only things that makes a Victoria sponge Victoria are its layers of strawberry or raspberry jam and cream. The cake was apparently Queen Victoria’s favorite dessert and goes very well with tea.
What is Pound Cake called in the UK?
It is also worth noting that the “Pound Cake” is now known by many names; “Madeira Cake” or “Yellow Cake” even simply “Loaf Cake”. No matter what it’s called, one thing is for sure! The simple sponge cake recipe has stood the test of time and remained a staple for home baking!
Why is Victoria sponge so called?
The cake’s name should really be The Royal Victoria Sponge, as its name harks back to Queen Victoria herself, who was said to enjoy a slice of the delicious cake with her traditional English afternoon tea. The initial reason it was distinguished from a simple sponge was due to the invention of baking powder in 1843.
What is a British tray bake?
(ˈtreɪˌbeɪk) noun. mainly British. a flat, usually chewy cake which is baked in a tray, cut into small squares, and served as a biscuit.
How do you make a sponge cake?
Making a Simple Sponge Cake Heat the oven and prepare your pans. Set up a bain marie. Add egg yolks and 1 cup of sugar to the bowl. Beat the yolk/sugar mixture. Beat egg whites. Fold the whites into the yolks. Pour in the melted butter. Spread the batter in pans and bake. Remove from the sheets or pans. Frost or fill, as desired.
What is the recipe for sponge cake?
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease an 8 or 9 inch round cake pan. In a medium bowl, whip together the eggs and castor sugar until fluffy. Fold in flour. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed.
What is a sponge in the UK?
Home British & World English sponge. 1A primitive sedentary aquatic invertebrate with a soft porous body that is typically supported by a framework of fibres or calcareous or glassy spicules. Sponges draw in a current of water to extract nutrients and oxygen.
What is sponge cake?
Sponge cake. Sponge cake is a light cake made with eggs, flour and sugar, sometimes leavened with baking powder.