Today I'm going retro!
The other day I was going through some old stuff when I stumbled upon a very old copy of an Australian Women's Weekly cook book.
If you're from Australia, you know the recipe books I'm talking about.
A few years ago I found this very old copy of the "Cooking Class CookBook" at a garage sale. This was one of my very first books a friend lent to me in the "ahem" 80's! When I saw it I just HAD to add it back to my collection.
I grew up with these books!
The first thing I wanted to revisit was a tried and true recipe for a classic sponge cake.
Yes. I know I already have a sponge cake recipe on the blog but I wanted to revisit a little bit of the 80's with this recipe. (Excluding New Romantics music and fingerless gloves!).
And speaking of retro I also photographed my original stand mixer made by Kenwood.
Isn't she a beauty?
She comes with a ceramic bowl and one whisk but I tell you, most baked goods you see on the blog have been blessed by her!
No fire engine red Kitchen you-know-what for me!
The vanilla sponge cake was made in two separate cake tins baked at the same time. I even weighed them as per the instructions. That's how precise you have to be! The flours were also triple sifted to ensure a nice, light texture.
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The original recipe called for a cream filling and a passionfruit icing but I wanted to jazz the recipe up a bit , so I added extra vanilla to the sponge mixture and smothered the whole lot in a vanilla buttercream icing.
Oh yes!
The final result was a heavenly, light sponge cake with a soft as can be buttercream frosting.
Looking for something "light"" yet a little bit decadent?
Then make this today.
I'd love to hear from any of you if you have any "old" or retro cookbooks that you can't give up.
VANILLA SPONGE CAKE WITH A VANILLA BUTTERCREAM ICING RECIPE
Ingredients For the cake:
- 4 eggs
- ¾ cup castor suagr
- 2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup plain flour
- ⅓ cup corn flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 160 deg C (fan forced) and grease and line 2 baking tins measuring 8" or 20cm
- Place the eggs in a stand mixer and start off by beating them on a medium speed until the eggs have doubled in size (approx. 2minutes).
- Slowly add the sugar in thirds, add the vanilla and continue beating for a further 5 mins.
- Combine the flours and baking powder and sift three times. Using a metal spoon or spatula, lightly and swiftly fold the flour mixture through the batter, ensuring it is all combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two baking tins (each of my tins weighed 490 grams each-this includes the weight of the tin , of course.)
- Bake in the oven for 25-30 mins or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the tins for five minutes and then place on a cake rack to cool completely.
Ingredients for the buttercream icing:
- 200 grams unsalted butter
- 2 cups icing sugar
- 2-3 tablespoon milk
Instructions:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Place all the ingredients in a stand mixer and beat until light and smooth. (Mine took about 5 mins).
- Spread the icing in on one side of the cooled sponge cakes and sandwich with another on top. Spread the remainder of the icing all over the cake and serve immediately.
Irene { a swoonful of sugar} says
Mint is my favourite colour, I love your retro stand mixer and all your photos here and beyond. You're a true inspiration!
Peter G says
Thank you Irene!
AmandaChewTown says
I totally remember that cook book! I think my mum has it - must look at it next time I'm lome. I love a retro dessert and as always I'm loving your styling choices.
Rosa says
Oh, I love my Women's Weekly cookbooks... A wonderfully retro cake and fabulous pictures!
Cheers,
Rosa
Bellini Valli says
I made an Italian sponge Genoise just yesterday with my spanking new shiny KitchenAid. I do not have an old Kenmore hiding in the cupboard since I have never been much of a baker. But that is changing. Next time a light buttercream seems in order.
Chrisoula says
You're not the only person with access to an original Kenwood Chef..we've had ours from new as a wedding present 50 years ago !!
Peter G says
Oh wow! I thought mine was old! Bravo!
Migle says
What a lovely stand-mixer! So charismatic! 🙂
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian says
Oh yes, I relate. We are obviously of the same vintage. I have quite the collection of WW cookbooks including Cooking Class Cakes, Easy Greek-Style Cookery and Finger Food No. 1 and No. 2! I even have a brown and white Kenwood Chef mixer, just recently handed down to me by my dad! I love your photos Peter – the colour wash is perfect for all this retro speak!
Alana says
It's so great to see some classic Australiana - I have this book too! My mum's always banging on about how it has some of the best, most accurate baking recipes she's ever come across. Love the rustic + retro goodness going on here. That Kenwood looks like an absolute BOSS.
Helen (grabyourfork) says
Waitaminute... i thought it was retro around here everyday! lol. And weighing your sponge cakes? You'll be entering the Easter Show baking comps next year for sure!
Andrea Rothwell says
Mum had these books too. I remember grabbing all the cake books and Woman's Weekly clippings she'd collected off the shelf and reading them for hours.
The Hungry Australian says
I love all the old Women's Weekly cookbooks. I have the new Margaret Fulton cookbook but I much prefer my mother's original version. Lovely looking cake, Peter.
Spanish Recipes says
You enchant me with these pictures! The chromaticism is PERFECTO! I would love to have a good bite to this Sponge Cake, I bet it lasted no time 😀
Sylvie Shirazi says
Such a pretty soft vintage feel to these photos!
Smita Srivastava says
Your pics are simply simply gorgeous !! I jus love the way you style the food !
Sara (Belly Rumbles) says
I have to confess that I have over 20 Womens' Weekly cookbooks. Yup, got my first one when I was about 15 and slowly added to them ever since. Totally love the really old ones I have, so dated but so cool.
Sara (Belly Rumbles) says
I should add to that, nothing dated about a sponge. Is still my fave birthday cake simple and delicous.
Zoe says
My mum still has her Kenwood too!! And wow, the photos and the colours...stunning!
Laura Dembowski says
I love sponge cakes like this! the corn flour sounds like a wonderful addition. Great pics!
Kym Beltrame says
I have that cook book and an 80's Kenwood mixmaster too....I'm off to bake this cake now....thanks for the inspiration!