| Author | Content |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
July 29, 2006
07:25 AM Post #2562346
| Unfortunately, I have lost the recipe that I had for this. My sponges always failed until I got this one and I am hopeless without it. All I can remember about it was that it had custard powder in it and it never failed no matter what I did!! Can anyone help this poor excuse for a sponge maker. Hubby and the kids are sick of having 'pancakes' that taste like a sponge!!!! |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
July 31, 2006
11:24 PM Post #2573187
| For anyone out there that might be interested: I have just been given the Recipe for the 'No Fail Sponge'. And it works!!!!
No Fail Sponge:
4 Eggs
3/4 cup Caster Sugar
1 Tablespoon Custard Powder
3/4 cup Corn Flour
1/2 teaspoon Carb Soda
1 teaspoon Cream of Tartor
Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff.
Add egg yolks one at a time.
Gradully add sugar.
(All up to this point is done with an electric beater)
Fold dry ingredients into egg mixture
Cook in Moderate oven pre - heated to 180 degrees (Celsius) for approxiamately 30 - 40 minutes (or until cooked). Either split the mixture and cook 2 sponges or place in 1 large cake tin. (sorry can't tell you the size - that's something that you will need to work out!!) Good luck.
Mine turned out beautiful, light and fluffy, and it didn't fail!! The kids think it is great. - Lee |
toomuchwater
West Branch, MI
August 07, 2006
06:05 PM Post #2597235
| Interesting. I've never heard of this ...what is it exactly? It's not a real ocean going like sponge is it? |
judycooksey
Pocahontas, TN
(Zone 7b)
August 07, 2006
06:08 PM Post #2597247
| What a hoot!! I have no idea what a edible sponge might be!! Take a picture and post it here!!
Judy |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
August 08, 2006
02:49 AM Post #2598698
| A 'No Fail Sponge' is a cake that is extremely light, fluffy and is also used for the base for Lamingtons. For serving as a sponge: you cut it in half and add your favourite sweet filling to the middle. My lot love raspberry jam and whip cream. Place the top on, after spreading with jam and cream or whatever, and either put more whipped cream on top or just dust with icing sugar.
Another filling is lemon filling/lemon spread. I don't know if you can get it in USA. Place in middle of sponge, then ice cake with Lemon icing. (Icing Sugar mixed with the juice and rind of lemon)
Sorry Judy I don't know how to post a picture but when I do I will.
Sponge cake is extremely popular here in Australia. As I said it can be used for the base for Lamingtons, Trifle (which is a desert) or other ingredients can be added to make: Chocolate sponge, Ginger Fluff, Marble Cake etc. |
judycooksey
Pocahontas, TN
(Zone 7b)
August 08, 2006
07:54 AM Post #2598923
| Sounds wonderful!! I'll have to try your recipe. There are a bunch of really nice people over on the Mid-South Gardening Forum. For the most part we live in the Mid-South USA but we more than welcome anyone who likes to complain about the weather, tell funny happenings and smile, hope to "see" you there.
Judy |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
August 09, 2006
04:02 AM Post #2602394
| Judy - thanks for the invite. Although I have seen these Forums, I have not worried about going into them - the reason is quiet obvious - I live in Aussie land. But I will come and visit tonight when all the boys go to band practise and I am here on my own!!! I love the peace and quiet - it's just wonderful!!! :) - Lee |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
August 09, 2006
04:57 AM Post #2602420
| Well girls I finally managed to post my first picture (hopefully!). Who said I needed my kids to teach me!!!! LOL This is the humble sponge which is a favourite here in Australia. This is with whipped cream and Jam in the middle and dusted with icing sugar. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
August 09, 2006
05:00 AM Post #2602421
| This is sponge with strawberries!! Aren't I a clever girl!!! Two pics in a row!!! I just amaze myself sometimes - I'm beginning to think I am so Goooood. LOL :) - Lee 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
judycooksey
Pocahontas, TN
(Zone 7b)
August 09, 2006
10:31 AM Post #2603007
| Oh how beautiful and the pictures are GREAT!!!
You should be very pleased with yourself.
Judy |
msfarmergirl
Philadelphia, MS
(Zone 7b)
August 09, 2006
06:49 PM Post #2604841
| Lee, those look so good (I popped in here from the MS gardening forum). My Mom makes something to go on her pound cake called "lemon curd" - I bet it would taste great with your sponge cake. I hate to be ignorant but what is castor sugar and custard powder? Translate please. I think I will have to try this. I'm on a diet right now but today I've been craving something at least a little sweet and would like it to be different! This may do the trick. Thanks for visiting us at MS -I hope you will continue to pop in.
Its been so hot here, I've tried not to use the oven much but I want to give this a try. GREAT PICS - they made my mouth water! |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
August 10, 2006
06:43 AM Post #2606494
| Thanks everyone - I am proud of myself for managing to post the pictures - I did it all on my own, and the pictures were taken with a friends help!!!!
Now let me see if I can help you out with the translations. Sometimes I find it hard when reading some of the Forums - they say they use 'whatever' and it is obvious an Americian thing!!!!
Castor Sugar is a finer sugar than white sugar - but not as fine as icing sugar. When I have run out of castor sugar I have actually put white sugar in the Kitchen Prossessor and 'chopped it' up finer.
Custard Powder: This is a hard one to describe but here goes. When you celebrate Christmas do you have Pudding with Brandy Sauce? The Brandy Sauce, when home made, is just custard with Brandy added. (Hope this is making sense, and that you can translate it to something that you know!!). To make Custard, you use Custard Powder, sugar and Milk. The powder is what is used in this sponge. If you are unable to find a substitute let me know and I will resource another recipe that you can make a sponge with. Hope this helps!
Now I need a translation lession!! What is a pound cake? I don't know this one - is it easy? |
FlowrLady
Olive Branch, MS
(Zone 7b)
August 10, 2006
09:14 AM Post #2606739
| Hi Lee... I want to remind everyone that Australians speak King's English with an Aussie twist, just like most folks in the southern US who speak King's English with a decided drawl... We just need to work together to get the twists out! LOL
You mentioned Lamington up in the top of this thread. Here's a link to a recipe for it:
http://www.aussie-info.com/identity/food/lamington.php
Your cake is beautiful, and it looks delicious!!!
This message was edited Sep 13, 2006 8:50 AM |
msfarmergirl
Philadelphia, MS
(Zone 7b)
August 10, 2006
10:28 AM Post #2606995
| I think "pound cake" was originally named such because it called for a pound of most of the ingredients, ie: a lb of flour, lb of sugar, lb of butter. The following is my Moms no-fail pound cake. I'll try to find the recipe for the lemon curd as well. The cake is simple and she is asked to make it for all church socials and family events. I don't make it often because she always has one available and my DH would eat the whole thing! I apologize for my particular Southern lingo. I write like I talk and its a combination of educated redneck and down-home vernacular. Oh, by the way, JudyC, told me she thinks they have custard powder at Wal-Mart - I'll check at the local one tomorrow.
Miss Byrtie's Lemon Pound Cake Recipe
3 c sugar
1 c Crisco (shortening)
6 eggs
3T lemon flavoring
3 cups plain flour (all-purpose)
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c buttermilk
Do not preheat oven
Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each egg. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl. Alternate adding flour and buttermilk to sugar and butter mixture. Beating continously until smooth. Add flavoring. Grease and flour bundt or cake pan. Bake at 275 for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
I'll have to check with Mom for the lemon curd...I seem to have lost my recipe. This cake stays fresh for quite a while but is delicous when sliced warm. A soft crust forms on the top while baking. I love to sit and visit with Mom while eating her pound cake and drinking a cup of coffee. Its ONE of the reasons I've gained so much weight!
I'm off now to try the teacake recipe...its an old standard in these parts (Neshoba County, Mississippi) and I've never made it.
|
judycooksey
Pocahontas, TN
(Zone 7b)
August 10, 2006
01:09 PM Post #2607541
| msfarmergirl
I need your Tea Cake recipe!!!!!
Judy |
msfarmergirl
Philadelphia, MS
(Zone 7b)
August 10, 2006
02:42 PM Post #2607791
| Judy, its on this forum http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/636595/
I just made some. The recipe makes a LOT! I'm not sure how I feel about them right now. I haven't been eating sweets at all for about a month. I made some mistakes to begin with...I think I rolled my dough too thick, I've given all of my good cookie sheets to my kids, I had to use 325 temp instead of 350 because the bottoms were burning. I should have used a small biscuit or cookie cutter. I couldn't find mine, so used a jar instead. They came out much bigger than I imagined because they not only rise, but spread (lots of butter in recipe). I'm going to make another attempt one day when I'm more prepared. The dough was delicious!! (yes, I'm one of those dough eating people!) I just kind of jumped into it today and was talking on the phone with my youngest while I was mixing! I think the DH will like them and I'm sending some to my in-laws. Pretty straight forward, simple recipe.
Lee,
The lemon curd recipe is in a Southern Herb book I've had for years (I had forgotten where it originated) Here it is...goes great with the pound cake. As soon as I find all of the ingred, I'm trying your sponge cake.
Lemon Curd: (from Madeline Hill's book Souther Herb Growing) Pub 1987 Quoting "This excellent sauce has a multitude of uses - icream toping, pie filling, pudding garnish, cake frosting, to mention a few -- and it keeps well in the refrigerator"
2 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
1 c sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup butter
Mix all ingredients in blender or mixer. Cook in stainless or ceramic double boiler til thickened, stirring constantly. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftover sauce and reheat in double boiler to serve. Yields about 2 cups
Variation: Once sauce is thickened, stir in chopped sweet herbs--rose geranium, mints, lemon verbena, or rosemary.
|
msfarmergirl
Philadelphia, MS
(Zone 7b)
August 10, 2006
02:45 PM Post #2607797
| Lee, in the sponge cake with the strawberries, what other filling do I see? I hope mine turns out that pretty! My Granny (Mom's Mom) made sponge cakes. |
RDT
Crossville, TN
(Zone 6b)
August 10, 2006
08:15 PM Post #2608789
| Lee, the corn flour is actually corn that has been ground. I have that. We call it cornmeal. How about the custard powder. From what you said I think we call it flour. If I am wrong someone please correct me.
Linda |
judycooksey
Pocahontas, TN
(Zone 7b)
August 10, 2006
08:47 PM Post #2608881
| Linda,
From what I've read on the internet, it's more like instant pudding, but heavier. I'm thinking I saw a instant custard in the Mexician food section of Wal-Mart, but I can't swear to it.
Judy |
msfarmergirl
Philadelphia, MS
(Zone 7b)
August 11, 2006
09:21 AM Post #2610555
| Headed for town. Going ingredient shopping, among other things. I'm not sure how the cake will turn out - but I'm enjoying the "adventure" |
msfarmergirl
Philadelphia, MS
(Zone 7b)
August 11, 2006
04:35 PM Post #2611945
| I forget just how rural we are sometimes. Couldn't find anything for this recipe in Philadelphia, MS! I'll have to try next time I visit Jackson. I don't need to be making it anyway. Still trying to lose weight. |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
August 12, 2006
06:45 AM Post #2613989
| Sorry about not being round in the last few days or so but other than having hubby in hospital (nothing serious, just day surgery) and having the 40 foot + tree cut down from the front of our place - it has been just pure hectic here at the moment!!
MFG: In the pic of the sponge with strawberries, I added whipped cream. It goes especially well in sponges and makes it even more calories to eat. Just what we all need!!!!!
Judy: Custard Powder is a form of instant pudding. Along that line. Instant Pudding here in Aussie is a powder which is added to milk and put in the fridge to set - makes a 'Mousse' type Desert. Do you use a thing call Brandy Sauce? It is a desert sauce that is poured (hot) over steamed puddings. It is made with custard powder (if you make your own). Might not be the same there. Looked on an Aussie site (http://www.gffoodservice.com.au/content.aspx?contentid=293). This is just one of our brands (White Wings) that we have. There are lots of brands and it is so popular over here that we have 'No Name' custard powder. (No Name is the Supermarket's generic brand - and is a little cheaper than the 'well known' brands!) This site will tell you a little about Custard Powder. Custard Powder, among other things, puts a lovely yellow colour to the cake when it is cut.
sorry don't know how to hyperlink yet. Well 'Glory Bee' will you look at that - it Hyperlinked for me... I am just sooooooo clever. Don't know how it happened but it did. I just amaze myself sometimes!!!!!! :-) Lee |
ainniz
italy
Italy
August 21, 2006
07:34 PM Post #2645713
| Hi there, I live in italy,( ex Kincoppal student in Sydney), could you please convert the sponge recipe in grams ?. It is really difficult here to get the ' cup'.
Can you also tell me what custard powder could be in italian??
thanks so much...debbie
This message was edited Aug 21, 2006 8:02 PM |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
August 22, 2006
06:22 AM Post #2647117
| Hi Debbie. How long did you live in Sydney for. Did you enjoy your time.
I will try to convert for you:
1 cup = 9 ounzes = 250 millimetres = 255 grams (approx)
3/4 cup = 6.5 ounzes = 185 millimetres = 155 grams (approx)
1 tablespoon = 1 ounze = 28 millimetres = 28 grams (approx)
As for the Italian version of Custard Powder, I can't help you - I have no idea. Sorry. Here is the website that explains 'custard powder'. http://www.gffoodservice.com.au/content.aspx?ContentID=293 This brand (White Wings) is the brand available in Australia. This might help - I hope - or confuse you even more!!!!! LOL
:-) Lee |
RDT
Crossville, TN
(Zone 6b)
August 23, 2006
05:17 PM Post #2652593
| Judy, I forgot to watch this thread.
I think you are right about it being closer to our instant pudding; but, the main ingredient is cornflour. Or, what we might call cornmeal. Did you check the Mexican section of the grocery store yet? Linda
The above site reads:
Ingredients: Cornflower, salt, flavour (contains lactose), colour (102, 110).
|
judycooksey
Pocahontas, TN
(Zone 7b)
August 23, 2006
06:19 PM Post #2652751
| I checked but Wal-Mart has downsized the Mexican foods section so I don't know if I was dreaming or not. lol lol
I don't think it is our "cornmeal" because it would be too heavy, must be a finely ground cornflour which would be much lighter.
Judy |
GrammysGardenAZ
Cochise, AZ
(Zone 8b)
August 23, 2006
06:28 PM Post #2652780
| I think it is a type of corn starch?? But haven't used so I'm not sure. |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
August 24, 2006
07:20 AM Post #2654233
| Can you tell me - do you have steam pudding at Christmas Time!! What 'Sauce' do you put on your deserts other than cream? Custard is similiar to instant pudding (and in Australia is found next to instant puddings) but instead of making it cold to set you cook it. Place Custard Powder in bowl, pour in a little milk until smooth paste. Add sugar more milk and whisk. When combined, heat until very hot. It than gets thicker.
Does this help at all. I would send some over for you but I don't think the Postie would like me very much!!!! LOL :-) Lee |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
August 24, 2006
07:56 AM Post #2654298
| Newsflash: One of the wonderful ladies on another forum (Trash and Treasure) was just informed me of the following. Hope it helps you out:
"Custard powder can be found, but generally online for about six dollars.
Orgran and also Crosse & Blackwell are available on Amazon.com.
Isn't the internet fabulous? What on earth would we do without it?"
Thanks Wuvie if your about!!!
:-) Lee
|
ainniz
italy
Italy
August 31, 2006
04:42 PM Post #2679175
| thank you very much...I'll certainly try to buy it online!!! Wonder what I'll get!!!
debby |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
September 01, 2006
07:02 AM Post #2681040
| Hope it is the right thing. Please let me know if and when you do get it so I can let others know
:-) Lee |
wgnkiwi
Burlingame, CA
(Zone 9a)
September 10, 2006
10:18 PM Post #2710898
| HI everyone - I've been reading this thread with interest and a few smiles. I'm a displaced New Zealander currently living in CA and have spent the last three years tracking down ingredients for my 'kiwi' recipes.
I can help with a few translations
Cornflour = Cornstarch
Caster Sugar = Superfine/UltraFine Sugar (or as lee says, put regular sugar in the food processor and whiz it)
Custard Powder = Custard Powder , LOL - Proper custard is made with egg yolks, milk and sugar and heated gently until it "sets", then it is served with steamed fruit puddings. It can be tricky to make from scratch so some wonderchild came up with custard powder which takes all the trickery away. I buy mine from this website: [HYPERLINK@www.simplyoz.com] . Sometimes though I've seen it in the German and Kosher sections of my supermarket.
|
bluekat76
Ijamsville, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 16, 2006
11:49 PM Post #2731364
| I have bought Bird's custard powder in my local store - in the pudding aisle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird's_Custard
Thanks for posting the recipe!
-Kim |
FlowrLady
Olive Branch, MS
(Zone 7b)
September 17, 2006
12:59 PM Post #2732500
| I went to our local "Penny Wise" bang and dent store and guess what I found... Corn flour. It's made for ethnic cooking, i.e., home made tamales, tortillas, etc. I think I'll try the recipe with it and see what happens. |
leelovespigs
Talbot
Australia
September 18, 2006
06:25 AM Post #2734559
| I'm so glad that we have been able to get the translation on the ingredients. I hope it all works out for you all. I would be very interested to hear how you all go with the 'No Fail Sponge'. I haven't had a failure yet...LOL :-) Lee |
luna_baby
On the banks of the , VA
(Zone 7a)
October 04, 2006
12:54 PM Post #2785291
| You can buy masa harina in most grocery stores around here (No. Virginia) which I think is closer to corn flower than corn meal...it's finer.
I've bought Bird's custard at my local grocery stores..Trader Joe's has it, too, and even occasionally HP sauce.
|
joliebijou
Valley Village, CA
October 06, 2006
04:01 PM Post #2791774
| Thank you leelovespigs for your No Fail Sponge Receipe. The receipe looks great and I think I have a similiar one in my receipe file.
How do you like living in Talbot, Australia? I have never been there but I sure would like to go someday. I remember someone telling me that our Summer is your Winter and our Winter is your Summer. Is that correct.
Jill and Jolie |
kayef
albury
Australia
August 09, 2007
12:00 AM Post #3835266
| hi i am another aussie, and make the no fail sponge all the time, another no fail is scones made with 2 cups sr flour, 1 cup cream and 1 cup lemonade , after sifting flour, gently fold in cream mixed with lemonade put on lighly floured board and knead and then cut with scone cutter, bake 15 mins in mod oven serve with jam and cream yum only takes a few mins to make |
FlowrLady
Olive Branch, MS
(Zone 7b)
August 09, 2007
12:53 PM Post #3836583
| Thanks for the recipe, kayef |
anastatia
Vancouver, WA
(Zone 8a)
August 11, 2007
01:09 PM Post #3844647
| I made a sponge cake (2x) years ago and they were flops. My dear mother always made hers in angle food cake pans.I have to try this recipe and revive the history of homemade sponge cake birthday cakes that stopped when my mother died. many thanks for this recipe. |
FlowrLady
Olive Branch, MS
(Zone 7b)
August 12, 2007
01:06 PM Post #3848144
| anastatia, what a great thing to do. It's so important to carry those 'traditions' as far as we can. |
Georgart53
Clifton, TX
September 15, 2007
01:56 PM Post #3978364
| looks yummy I thought you meant a bread sponge.. lol |
Littlej
Bunbury
Australia
November 10, 2009
08:01 AM Post #7259254
| Just thought I would add a bit here:
I have been to the US numerous times and my friends there have been here, custard Powder is one item they take home.
Conflour here is or was cornstarch there, but not cornmeal although nowdays what we buy as cornflour is actually wheat starch, a very fine flour used mostly for thickening.
Custard powder is really only cornstarch with added vanilla flavor and yellow coloring, no sugar, that needs to be added.
A friend of mine in Turkey makes her custard with these ingredients: cornstarch, vanilla, saffron and sugar, turns out the same as what we have.
So if you are wanting to substitute in your sponge, which is very like angel food cake, use the cornstarch and add extra vanilla, you don't need to worry about the yellow colour, but it does make a good looking sponge.
Hope this helps |
MsKatt
Mid-Michigan, MI
(Zone 5b)
November 10, 2009
08:20 AM Post #7259278
| I have my great-great grandmother's sponge cake recipe if anyone is interested. I have to dig it out from the far reaches of storage, but I'll post it if anyone wants it. I know it doesn't have custard powder in it, it's an old German recipe brought to the States. |
DONNA_11
South Coast, RI
(Zone 6b)
November 10, 2009
09:32 AM Post #7259450
| This is a super easy, and a pretty much no fail sponge cake that is older than dirt (there is no eclectic mixer required) so it is all done by hand. The only time I have ever seen this fail is if the baking powder is old, then the cake will not rise. It is made from basic ingredients so you will most likely have everything in the house already.
Sponge cake
2 cups sugar (regular sugar)
4 eggs
2 cups flour (all purpose flour, straight form the bag)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup boiling water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Be sure to mix it in this order:
Beat (by hand) 4 eggs into the sugar one at a time, beat in (by hand) flour one cup at a time, beat in baking powder, mix in boiling water and vanilla.
Bake at 375° for 30 min in tube or bunt cake pan.
|
treelover3
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4a)
December 02, 2009
02:08 PM Post #7328683
| Lee,
The sponge cake looks delicious! At first I thought the sponge cake was like a Dutch Pannekoeken (oven baked pancake) that has apples, cinnamon and butter put on top of the batter and is then baked, but the sponge cake looks more like a dessert rather than a meal. (:o)
Judy,
My parents make Russian Teacakes every year and they are a type of shortbread cookie. There must be a difference between Russian Teacakes and the teacake recipe linked above since there are no nuts in that recipe and the dough in the linked recipe is rolled out and a cookie cutter is used to form the cookies.
In the Russian Teacake recipe there is a lot of butter in the recipe (a pound, I think) as well as fairly finely chopped pecans. The dough needs to be made a day ahead and refrigerated. To make the cookies, you take a teaspoonful of cold dough and roll it into a ball and then put the ball on a cookie sheet. After baking, the cookies are cooled for about 2 minutes on the cookie sheet once they're taken out of the oven and then rolled in confectioners'/powdered/icing sugar. Once completely cool, the cookies are again rolled in the powdered sugar. These cookies just melt in your mouth. I believe the recipe my folks use is from an old Betty Crocker Cookbook.
Mike
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