Victoria Sandwich Cake

I am so glad my husband loves me. I know I have a sarcastic sense of humor. I think this is a trait I learned from my father. My husband was telling me a story about something he saw on the news. Then he says to me, "Well, you know Massachusetts is close to Maine." So, I replied, "It is? I didn't know that." See my husband doesn't get mad by my reply. He doesn't even make a sarcastic remark back. He just keeps telling me the story. Now, that is love!

Have you ever had a Victoria Sandwich Cake? It must have been the inspiration of the New England whoopie pie. The cake has the filling in the center. The filling is creamy and butter. Also, there is jam on top of the filling which gives it additional flavor. The cake is sponge like. Now, my first attempt tasted very good but was more dense than it should have been. The second time I measured everything like the original recipe than I converted the measurements for anyone who doesn't have a food scale. If you are planning a tea party, this is the perfect dessert to make.

Victoria Sandwich Cake
1 1/4 cup fine sugar
14 Tbsp butter, softened
3 eggs
2 1/4 cup self rising flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp milk

Filling
7 Tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups strawberry jam
powdered sugar, for decoration

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Spray two 8 inch non stick cake pans with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper and spray the parchment paper with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, mix the sugar, butter, eggs, flour, baking powder, and milk together until smooth.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans.
5. Bake the cake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Allow to cool for a few minutes and turn onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely.
7. In a medium bowl, cream the butter until smooth and creamy to make the filling. 
8. Gradually add the sugar to the butter.  
9. To assemble, place one cake onto the serving platter. 
10. Top the cake with the butter filling.
11. Spread the jam on top of the butter filling.
12. Top the jam and butter filling with the remaining cake.
13. Dust the top of the cakes with the powdered sugar immediately before serving. 
14. Keep in an airtight container and eat within two days.

 Recipe adapted from BBC Good Food.

 Did you already know...
-The cake is named after Queen Victoria.
-The cake was served during Queen Victoria's reign with afternoon tea.
-The cake can be served as little sandwiches if baked as a long loaf.

Fresh Strawberry Jam

Since our oldest son is in his 20s, he doesn't live with us but we are very fortunate to see him often. He has been working at restaurants for awhile now but he only works in the evenings. My husband called him the other day and said this is your boss and we have decided to start serving breakfast so you need to come in. Our son called right back and said that he didn't fall for it and he wasn't even going to come over to make us breakfast. Hey, I thought it was a good try on my husband's part. 

Our son did come over later that day to join us for dinner. I offered him some of my jam and he really liked it. Everyone in my household liked it. I was glad since it was my first time ever making jam. Were you surprised? I have a great friend and she makes jam every year in a pressure cooker. I think the pressure cooker intimidated me. Plus I still have nightmares of sterilizing baby bottles so why start with mason glasses? This is an easy recipe and next time I'm going to get fancy with it.

Fresh Strawberry Jam
1 1/2 pint of strawberries, hulled and halfed
2 cups sugar (use slightly less if the strawberries are very sweet.)
1/2 lemon, freshly squeezed

Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and lemon juice over low heat for 10 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.
Add the strawberries and continue to cook over very low heat for 20 minutes or until mixture boils slowly. 
Continue to cook until a small amount of the juice gels on a very cold plate.
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a week, freeze, or follow proper canning guidelines.

Recipe adapted from Ina Garten.  

Did you already know...
-In 1858, John Landis Mason patented his Mason jars.
-John Mason gave another company his patent rights and passed away in 1900 a poor man.
-Over the years, there has only been a few iterations to Mr. Mason's original design.