My mini Victoria sponge cakes are soft and fluffy, filled with silky buttercream and a tart jam that will just wake up your tastebuds. If you are a fan of individual desserts, you will love these. Less than 10 minutes of prep time and a handful of regular pantry items. Dairy free with GF and vegan options available.
Preheat your oven to 320°F / 160°C. Gather all ingredients and supplies, ensuring that the butter and eggs are at room temperature.
Grease and flour each cavity in the cupcake pan. Ensure the pan is fully coated and shake off any excess flour.
To Make the Mini Cakes
Add 175 grams of white sugar and 175 grams of unsalted plant based butter to a mixing bowl and mix until light and fluffy (about 30 seconds).
In a separate bowl, add 3 eggs and 1 tsp of vanilla bean paste. Stir together then slowly add to the butter/sugar mixture, whisking between each addition. * Note do not add all at once as this will curdle the mixture.
Add 175 grams of self raising flour and gently fold in with a spatula. I do not recommend mixing in the flour with the hand whisk as it will overwork the batter.
Using an ice cream scoop, add 1 scoop to each cupcake cavity. Divide up any remaining batter to ensure each cake has a similar amount of batter.
Bake at 320°F / 160°C for 20 minutes until well risen and lightly golden. Allow to cool completely.
To Make the Buttercream
Cream together 113g of butter and 227g of icing sugar together in a bowl.
Add water as required. I usually use between 2-3 tsp depending on the humidity when I am making the buttercream. You want to create a soft, spreadable consistency.
Completing the Mini Cakes
Using a rounded spatula, loosen each mini cake from the cupcake pan and set aside.
Split each mini cake in half and spread a generous amount of buttercream on the bottom layer.
Add approx 1/2 tsp of jam to the middle of the buttercream and place the top layer on top. Dust the mini cakes with icing sugar.
Enjoy with a nice cup of afternoon tea.
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Notes
Ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting this recipe. That will ensure that your cake batter combines quickly without needing to overmix everything.
I usually use large eggs but medium sized ones will also work well with this recipe. If you want to work by weight, a large egg usually weighs around 50 grams once the shell is removed. You can sub with flax eggs if you are egg-free or vegan.
This recipe can also be used to make an 8 inch round layer cake. Bake for 25 minutes.
Store leftover cakes in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days. Spare buttercream can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To freeze any leftover, store in an airtight container and defrost to room temperature before plating up.
Check out the full recipe post for gluten free and vegan substitution recommendations.