Mary Berry’s 3-Layer Sponge Cake is a traditional British sponge cake made with three light and airy layers. The cake is typically sandwiched with jam and whipped cream, then dusted with powdered sugar for a simple yet elegant finish. This cake is versatile and can be customized with various fillings or frostings.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F. Grease and line the base of three 8-inch round cake tins with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract if using.
Sift the self-raising flour and baking powder over the mixture. Gently fold them into the batter using a spatula, being careful not to overmix to keep the sponge light.
Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake tins and smooth the tops. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool in their tins for 5 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before assembling.
In a separate bowl, whip the double cream until it forms soft peaks. Be careful not to overwhip, as the cream should be smooth and spreadable.
Place the first cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of strawberry jam, followed by a layer of whipped cream. Repeat this process with the second layer. Top with the final cake layer.
Dust the top of the cake with icing sugar and garnish with fresh berries if desired.