'Bløtekake' (also 'Bløtkake') literally means soft cake - and is Norway's version of a Victoria sponge. The difference is that a Bløtekake is lighter - as it is traditionally made with a fat free sponge, ie. a type of Genoise sponge.Layered with seasonal berries or fruit and whipped cream it is a traditional celebration cake in Norway - enjoyed for any occasion from birthdays to weddings, anniversaries and leaving parties. Easy to tweak to your preferences and great to look at. Ticks all the boxes in our book.
400gfresh berries and fruit of your choiceuse whatever is in season - a mix of strawberries and raspberries is good, and some like sliced fresh banana in the middle, too
Optional: 100ml of your favourite jam
Instructions
Whisk eggs and sugar until pale, light and fluffy - we recommend a hand mixer for this - 5-10 minutes. Mix your flours and baking powder and sift into the egg mixture, then fold carefully to combine. Try not to lose the volume you got from the frantic whisking.
Pour into a well-buttered cake mould with loose base covered in baking parchment.
Bake at 190-200 degrees for 30 minutes until cooked through. Leave to cool for 10 minutes before removing the mould. Let cool completely before using.
Assembly
Slice your cake into two or three layers using a long serrated knife (or whatever works for you - just be careful to do it evenly all the way through). Splash each layer with a few tablespoonfuls of milk or orange juice to keep them moist and lovely.
Whip your cream with the vanilla sugar until soft peaks form - then, using manual labour, whip it for another 10-20 seconds until stiff enough to hold its shape. It is easy to overdo it with a mixer so we like using doing it by hand to finish. Rinse and prepare your fruit / berries and have ready in a bowl.
Place your bottom layer on your serving platter / cake stand and place strips of parchment paper all the way around, covering the plate. With a spatula, spread 1/4 of the whipped cream evenly across the cake (1/3 if only two layers). If using jam, dollop this evenly across the cream. Spread 1/3 of your fruit/berries over the top in an even layer. Repeat with the next layer, if your cake is 3 layers. If only two layers, proceed to the next step.
Place your final layer on top of the cream/jam/berry and try to align it neatly so it is not leaning that way or the other. Cover the top of the cake with the rest of the cream - covering the sides if you like. Arrange the remaining fresh fruit / berries across the top any way you like. Any extra ones can be dotted around the serving plate. When you have finished with the cream and berries, carefully remove the parchment paper to reveal the clean plate.Place your final layer on top of the cream/jam/berry and try to align it neatly so it is not leaning that way or the other. Cover the top of the cake with the rest of the cream - covering the sides if you like. Arrange the remaining fresh fruit / berries across the top any way you like. Any extra ones can be dotted around the serving plate. When you have finished with the cream and berries, carefully remove the parchment paper to reveal the clean plate.
Best eaten immediately.
Notes
You can use any sponge cake recipe you like - this is the one Martina's Norwegian mormor (maternal grandmother) has been using forever. The mix of regular flour and potato flour makes for an extra tender crumb.