The disco smash ‘I Will Survive’ took the world by storm when it was released in 1978. Hoards of brokenhearted souls put down their tear-infused bottles of Blue Nun, and went stomping out onto the dancefloor for a glorious display of funky-fuelled empowerment. Written by Dino Ferakis and Freddie Perren, and originally a B-side, the exquisite powerhouse vocals of goddess Gloria Gaynor makes this classic track as popular now than ever. And what better accompaniment to an uplifting anthem than the sweet taste of a jam and cream cakey-sandwich, so today with Ms Gaynor’s guidance, we shall be making a delicious Victoria Sponge.
Ingredients are listed at the end.
At first I was afraid, I was petrified,
Then I greased and lined two sandwich tins and put them to one side,
I preheated the oven to gas mark 4, that won’t take long,
And I got tongs,
But then I realised that was wrong.
I stuck them back, into their place,
And put a wooden spoon and mixing bowl on a flat and clean workspace,
I broke the eggs there with a knock,
Combined ingredients with glee,
Using butter, marg, or ‘baking spread’, it’s all the same to me.
Go on now, go,
Pour sugar, pour,
Then baking powder,
Self-raising flour, that’s for sure,
With a spoon or ‘lectric whisk, now thoroughly combine,
This isn’t crumble,
And it’s really not a pie.
Once liquefied,
In tins divide,
I found myself an oven glove, onto the middle shelf they slide,
I’ve not even used my sieve, how many minutes should I give?
It’s twenty-five,
Yes, twenty-five,
Way-hay!
Let them cool off in their tins or else they’ll fall apart,
Turn out onto a wire tray, two golden works of art,
I slap the jam on one and spread, while I’m singing to myself,
Oh don’t be shy, just pile that whipped cream nice and high.
Now you see me, and sponge number two,
I place it on the top and sprinkle caster sugar, ooh,
If someone feels like dropping in, hoping for a spot of tea,
I will tell them, “here’s the recipe, I’m saving this for me,”
Go on now, go.
Ingredients
Use two 20cm/8” sized sandwich tins.
Serves: 12 (apparently, but I’d say more like 4)
4 eggs
225g/8oz caster sugar, plus some for dusting
225g/8oz self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
225g/8oz butter/marg/baking spread, room temperature, plus some for greasing tins
Strawberry or raspberry jam
Whipped double cream
Join me next time when I’ll be making a pineapple upside-down cake with Barry White.