Sponge case - instant pot

Makes 2 victoria sponge cakes

Ingredients

4 large free-range eggs
225g (8oz) caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
225g (8oz) self-raising flour
1 level tsp baking powder
225g (8oz) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing

Procedure

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease and line two 8in sandwich tins: use a piece of baking or silicone paper to rub a little baking spread or butter around the inside of the tins until the sides and base are lightly coated. Line the bottom of the tins with a circle of baking paper.
  2. Break the eggs into a large mixing bowl, add the sugar, flour, baking powder and soft butter. Mix everything together until well combined. Be careful not to over-mix – as soon as everything is blended you should stop. The finished mixture should be of a soft ‘dropping’ consistency.
  3. Divide the mixture evenly between the tins. Use a spatula to remove all of the mixture from the bowl and gently smooth the surface of the cakes.
  4. OVEN: Place the tins on the middle shelf of the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Don’t be tempted to open the door while they’re cooking, but after 20 minutes do look through the door to check them.
  5. INSTANT POT: Place one pan on the trivet in the Instant Pot. I use a second trivet with very short legs to separate the 2 pans, but you can simply use the parchment or foil that covers the bottom pan to separate them. Place the second pan on top of the short trivet, or first pan and make sure it sits flat. Close the lid and seal. Pressure cook on HIGH for 60 minutes. When cook time has completed, let the pressure release naturally, around 15-20 minutes
  6. The cakes are done when they’re golden-brown and coming away from the edge of the tins. Press them gently to check – they should be springy to the touch. Remove them from the oven and set aside to cool in the tins for 10 minutes. Then run a palette or rounded butter knife around the inside edge of the tin and carefully turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack.
  7. To take your cakes out of the tins without leaving a wire rack mark on the top, put the clean tea towel over the tin, put your hand onto the tea towel and turn the tin upside-down. The cake should come out onto your hand and the tea towel – then you can turn it from your hand onto the wire rack. Set aside to cool completely.