Description

Mary Berry’s Celebration Cake is a classic sponge cake made with a rich and fluffy base, layered with buttercream or jam filling, and topped with beautiful decorations like fondant, icing, or fresh fruit. It’s versatile, elegant, and can be customized to suit any special occasion.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

Self-raising flour – 225g, for a light and airy sponge.
Butter – 225g, softened, adds richness.
Caster sugar – 225g, sweetens the cake.
Eggs – 4 large, at room temperature, for structure.
Baking powder – 2 teaspoons, ensures a good rise.
Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon, for flavor.

For the Filling:

Butter – 100g, softened, for the buttercream.
Icing sugar – 200g, sifted, for a smooth buttercream.
Jam – 3 tablespoons, your favorite flavor (optional).

For the Decoration:

Fondant icing – For a smooth and polished look.
Food coloring – Optional, to match the theme.
Edible decorations – Flowers, sprinkles, or gold leaf.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Tins

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F.
Grease the cake tins and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix the Batter

In a large bowl, beat the butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift in the self-raising flour and baking powder, then gently fold into the mixture.
Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

Step 3: Bake the Cakes

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared 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.

Step 4: Cool the Cakes

Allow the cakes to cool in their tins for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare the Filling

Beat the softened butter and icing sugar together until smooth and creamy to make the buttercream.
Spread a layer of jam over one cake layer, followed by a layer of buttercream.
Place the second cake layer on top.

Step 6: Decorate the Cake

Roll out the fondant icing and cover the cake, smoothing it down gently.
Use food coloring and edible decorations to create your desired design.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Slice and serve this stunning cake as the centerpiece of your celebration.