Sponge cake with vanilla cream and slightly sour plum jam

Sponge Cake with Vanilla Cream and Tart Plum Jam

I suggest you indulge in a delicious, quick-to-make, and extremely refreshing dessert: a sponge cake with vanilla cream and tart plum jam. This is a no-bake recipe, making it perfect for hot days or when you want a dessert with minimal effort. Without eggs and with accessible ingredients, this cake is sure to become a favorite for any occasion!

Total preparation time: 1 hour
Cooling time: 3 hours
Number of servings: 8-10

Ingredients

For the cake:
- 1 pack of sponge fingers (approximately 200 g)
- 1 jar of tart plum jam with nuts (400 g)

For the vanilla cream:
- 1 L milk
- 1 pack of vanilla pudding (approximately 100 g)
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 4 tablespoons flour
- ½ pack of butter (125 g)
- Vanilla essence
- A pinch of salt

For decoration:
- Whipped cream (approximately 200 g)
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee (optional)
- Fruit topping (fruit cereals or candied cherries)

For the sponge syrup:
- Water
- Sugar
- Vanilla essence

Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the vanilla cream

1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine the vanilla pudding, flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Whisk them well to avoid lumps.

2. Add the milk: Start by gradually adding the cold milk, stirring continuously to obtain a smooth mixture.

3. Heat the mixture: Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and place it over medium heat. Keep stirring constantly. After 2-3 boils, the cream should thicken.

4. Add butter and essence: Once the cream is ready, remove it from the heat and add the butter and vanilla essence. Mix well until the butter is completely melted. Let the cream cool slightly, but not completely, as it will be poured warm over the sponge fingers.

Step 2: Assemble the cake

1. Prepare the mold: Take a loaf pan and line it with plastic wrap, leaving the edges hanging over the sides. This will help you invert the cake more easily later.

2. Soak the sponge fingers: Prepare a simple syrup from water and sugar (1:1 ratio) and add a few drops of vanilla essence. Lightly soak the sponge fingers on both sides.

3. Arrange the sponge fingers: Place the first layer of sponge fingers on the sides of the mold, making sure they are well soaked in syrup.

4. Add the jam: Spread a thin layer of tart plum jam over the sponge fingers. If the jam is too sweet, you can add a little lemon juice to balance the flavor.

5. Add the cream: Pour a layer of vanilla cream over the jam, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

6. Continue with sponge fingers: Repeat the process, alternating layers of sponge fingers, jam, and cream until you finish the ingredients, with the last layer being sponge fingers.

7. Cool the cake: Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until it is set well.

Step 3: Decorate the cake

1. Invert the cake: After the cake has set, take it out of the refrigerator and carefully invert it onto a serving platter. Gently remove the plastic wrap.

2. Decorate the cake: Use whipped cream to decorate the cake. If you don't have enough vanilla cream, whipped cream will be an excellent choice. Sprinkle instant coffee on top and add fruit topping for an attractive appearance.

Useful tips

- Variations: If you want to try a vegan version, you can replace the sponge fingers with vegan cookies and the vanilla cream with semolina cream. This will add an interesting texture while keeping the delicious taste.

- Jam: Choose a tart plum jam, but don’t forget that you can experiment with other types of jams, such as raspberry or apricot, for a different flavor.

- Equipment: Make sure you have a whisk, a spatula, and a non-stick saucepan to make preparation easier.

- Serving: The cake pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. Serve it as a dessert for special occasions or simply to indulge on regular days.

Nutritional benefits

This sponge cake is a lighter choice compared to other desserts, having a moderate calorie content. The plum jam is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, while the vanilla cream provides a source of calcium from milk. Additionally, this dessert is egg-free, making it easier to digest for those with intolerances.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use whole grain sponge fingers?
Of course! Whole grain sponge fingers will add extra fiber and a different taste to the dessert.

What can I do if I don’t have vanilla pudding?
You can replace the pudding with chocolate cream or make a cream from milk and starch.

How can I make the cake less sweet?
Choose a jam with a higher fruit content and less sugar, and reduce the amount of sugar in the cream.

This sponge cake with vanilla cream and tart plum jam will win you over with every slice. Make it with love and enjoy it with your loved ones!