VICTORIA SANDWICH

(8-10 slices)

INGREDIENTS:

4 large eggs (in their shells); about 270g caster sugar; about 270g self-raising flour; about 135g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra to grease the tins; about 135g soft margarine

To finish: 125g raspberry jam (goodquality); a little caster sugar, to sprinkle

METHOD:

1. Heat your oven to 180C/Fan 160C/Gas

4. Grease two 20cm sandwich tins and line the bases with baking paper. Weigh the eggs first (while they are in their shells), then weigh the same quantity of sugar and flour. For the butter and the margarine, you need half the weight of the eggs.

2. In a large bowl, cream the butter, margarine and sugar together using an electric whisk until pale in colour and light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat again.

3. Beat the eggs together in a jug, then gradually add to the mixture, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again. Sift the flour over the surface of the mixture and gently fold in, using a large metal spoon.

4. Divide the mixture between the prepared tins. To ensure the cakes are exactly the same size you can weigh the cake mixture into each tin. Gently smooth the surface with the back of the spoon to level it.

5. Bake in the centre of the oven for 25 minutes until risen, golden brown and the cakes spring back in the centre when lightly touched with a fingertip. They should be slightly shrunken away from the edges of the tin. Leave the cakes in the tins for five minutes, then remove to a wire rack. Leave to cool completely.

6. When cold, sandwich the cakes together with the raspberry jam and sprinkle the top with a little caster sugar.