Skip to main content

TL; DR: 

  • Camilla Parker Bowles’ shared her personal recipe for Victoria Sponge Cake to mark the return of Poetry Together.
  • The Duchess of Cornwall’s cake recipe doesn’t require a lot of ingredients. 
  • Make the 74-year-old’s cake in seven steps.
Camilla Parker Bowles slices Victoria Sponge cakes while children look on
Camilla Parker Bowles | Frank Augstein – WPA Pool/Getty Images

While she and Prince Charles may have some high-maintenance food requests, Camilla Parker Bowles’ cake recipe is anything but. The Duchess of Cornwall shared her recipe for Victoria Sponge Cake. Made with a small number of ingredients, Camilla’s not against having some fun with the toppings. 

Camilla Parker Bowles shared her recipe in support of Poetry Together

In a September 2021 Clarence House Instagram post, Camilla posed for a photo holding a cake layered with what appeared cream, jam, and berries. The occasion? Poetry Together, an annual initiative where older people connect with children over poetry, tea, and cake. 

“In celebration of the return of @poetry_together tea parties this year, the duchess has shared her recipe for a Victoria Sponge for young and old(er!) alike to enjoy after reciting a poem by heart together,” the caption for the post read. 

Launched by writer, broadcaster, and royal biographer Gyles Brandreth, Poetry Together resumed in-person gatherings after coronavirus (COVID-19) resulted in online meetings.

Camilla Parker Bowles’ cake recipe calls for 6 ingredients

Camilla Parker Bowles smiles wearing a printed green shirt
Camilla Parker Bowles | Peter Nicholls – Pool/Getty Images

She might often eat meals prepared by royal chefs, but Camilla’s Victoria Sponge Cake recipe doesn’t require a culinary degree. It’s actually really simple. She uses only a few items to make the cake.

According to her recipe, all that’s needed to make the Victoria Sponge Cake is flour, sugar, vanilla “essence” or vanilla extract, sugar, baking powder, and eggs. That comes to six ingredients in the sponge itself. 

As for flavorings, the Duchess of Cornwall suggests “toppings of choice” such as jam, Nutella, cream, or lemon curd. Lastly, her recipe calls for powdered sugar, or “icing sugar,” to be sifted over the top. 

So, Camilla’s cake itself is made with six ingredients. Then there are the toppings and powdered sugar.

How to make Camilla’s Victoria Sponge Cake

Jamie Oliver smiles as he watches Camilla Parker Bowles use a piping bag
Jamie Oliver and Camilla Parker Bowles | Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool / Getty Images
Related

Meghan Markle’s Healthy Pasta Sauce Recipe Has Only 3 Ingredients

Not only did Camilla share the details on what goes in her Victoria Sponge Cake, but in the same Instagram post, she also shared step-by-step instructions on how to make it. 

Similar to the ingredient list the baking instructions are pretty straightforward. The first step in making Camilla’s Victoria Sponge Cake? Heating the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. 

While the oven heats up she prepares the batter. That means sifting baking powder and flour into a large bowl. According to her recipe instructions, her recommendation is to hold the sifter up high, allowing for the flour to get a “good airing.” 

With the flour and baking powder sifted, she adds the rest of the ingredients and whisks them until combined. Next, she divides the cake batter between two greased and lined cake tins. After leveling them off she puts them in the oven — on the middle rack — to bake for approximately a half-hour. 

When Camilla’s cake is done baking she removes it from the oven and leaves it to cool for about 30 seconds before turning each one out onto a cooling rack. Then she peels off the paper and, when completely cool, sandwiches the cakes together with the filling. Finally, she dusts the top with powdered sugar.