This week we thought we’d share one of our favourite recipes. The WI is famous for creating some tasty treats and one of the most famous is the Victoria Sandwich.
Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861), one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting, is credited as the creator of teatime. Because the noon meal had become smaller, the Duchess suffered from “a sinking feeling” at about four o’clock in the afternoon. At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs into her dressing room.
She soon invited friends to join her for an afternoon meal at five o’clock. The menu centred around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea. This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for “tea and walking the fields”. The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by others.
Queen Victoria adopted the new craze and by 1855, the Queen and her ladies were in formal dress for the afternoon teas. This simple cake was one of the Queen’s favourites After her husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861, Queen Victoria spent time in retreat at Osborn House. According to historians, it was here that the cakes were named after her.
Here is the recipe from the 2013 Salford Angels WI calendar for you to enjoy. Formal attire optional!
225g softened butter
225g caster sugar
4 large eggs
225g self raising flour
2 level tsp baking powder
Filling
225 softened butter
110g icing sugar
4 tsp strawberry jam
a little caster sugar for dusting
1. Preheat oven 180C/350F
2. Grease two 20 cm tins and line each with baking parchment.
3. Measure the butter, sugar, eggs, flour and baking powder into a large bowl and beat until thoroughly blended. Divide between the two tins and level out.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 25 mins or until well risen and the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Leave to cool in the tin then turn onto a wire rack and remove baking parchment.
5. For the filling beat butter until softened, gradually add icing sugar and cream together.
6. Sandwich cold sponges together with piped butter cream and jam and sprinkle with caster sugar.
7. Eat!