Old School Coconut and Jam Sponge Cake

Sometimes the simplest things are the most satisfying. This cake takes me straight back to primary school, holding a pastel pink bowl and queuing for a slice topped with jam and coconut. I wasn’t one to have it served with custard or pink blancmange (pink custard, my ass), but I loved it just as it was. Occasionally, we’d have this cake in a traybake tart form, though I’m still annoyed I never figured out what the base was—it wasn’t shortcrust or rough puff, but I can’t remember what it was. Oh well! This version is easy to whip up and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Serves 12-16

Hands-on Time 20 minutes

Baking Time 25 minutes

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Ingredients

220g margarine (plus extra for greasing)
235g caster sugar
4 medium eggs
1½ tsp vanilla extract
235g self-raising flour
1/8 tsp fine salt
1 tbsp full-fat milk
200g raspberry jam
50-100g desiccated coconut

Equipment

Deep-sided 25cm x 20cm brownie pan
Baking parchment
Large mixing bowl
Electric whisk or wooden spoon
Spatula
Wire rack
Bowl
Spoon

Method

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C (fan)/350°F/Gas Mark 4.
Grease the pan with margarine and line it with baking parchment.

2. Make the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, beat the margarine and sugar with an electric whisk on low speed for 1 minute.
Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, and continue beating.
Add the flour and salt. Stir gently with the whisk turned off to prevent flour from flying, then mix on low speed until no specks remain.
Stir in the milk and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is combined.

3. Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake on the middle shelf for 25 minutes.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Decorate the Cake

Stir the raspberry jam in a bowl to loosen it.
Flip the cake over so it’s right-side up. Spread the jam evenly over the top.
Sprinkle desiccated coconut over the jam to your desired coverage.

Enjoy!