The secret to making the perfect sponge

The latest from NZ House & Garden magazine If this email is not displayed correctly, [click here]( to view an online version. [NZ House & Garden]( Hi {NAME}, The very first cake I learned to bake was a classic sponge. I must have been about six years old when my lovely mum showed me this enjoyable practice. I quickly had the measurements, ingredients and method memorised and I would whip up sponges with ease, even when we didn’t really need one! I know I was fortunate to master the art of sponge baking early in life, simply because I was too young to realise that for some of us, a little trepidation can be associated with even the thought of baking a sponge. Let me reassure you. When you break it down, a sponge is really just a puff of perfumed air bound into the form of a cake. And that’s the secret to making the perfect sponge – retaining all the fluffy air that is whisked into the initial egg and sugar mixture. If you work quickly from the moment the dry ingredients are added, folding gently with a large metal spoon and taking care not to knock out precious air bubbles, then you will produce perfectly light sponge cakes every time. For Mother's Day this Sunday, I can recommend baking a sponge or perhaps one of Olivia Galletly’s delightful creations in the latest issue, as a sweet and thoughtful way to say thank you to any of the nurturing women in your life. Julie Le Clerc Food Editor From the files Mona Colgan's Sponge Drops The recipe for these melt-in-the-mouth retro treats has been passed down through several generations of great home cooks. [Get the recipe]( Rhubarb & Custard Cream Layered Sponge Cake There are a few stages to this recipe but none is difficult and the result is a scrumptious show-stopper of a cake. [Get the recipe]( On my bookstand Simply Food: 80 delicious wholefood recipes for everyday living By Eleanor Ozich, Penguin Random House NZ,$45 One of the things I love most about cookbooks is reading what other cooks have to say about their way of cooking. Often the hard-won pieces of advice or devised shortcuts are just as valuable as the recipes. With this book, Eleanor Ozich has come up with a clever and user-friendly slant on preparing tasty, wholesome meals that need no more than 15 minutes of hands-on preparation time. From breakfast, lunch and picnic food, to slow-cooked meals and sweet endings, every dish is accompanied by time-saving tips and simple tricks to help us find more joy in the kitchen. With this fresh approach to cooking, Eleanor shows how wholefood eating can be relatively quick and easy to prepare, yet packed full of satisfying flavour and goodness. In Good Company: Simple, generous recipes and ideas for get-togethers and good times By Sophie Hansen, Murdoch Books, $45Sophie Hansen believes having people over for a meal shouldn’t be stressful because at its heart a gathering is simply about catching up and enjoying the best of times over shared food. This book’s chapters follow the seasons, offering menus for all occasions and deliciously do-able recipes for bringing people together. Whether it's a last-minute dinner with neighbours, a crowd-pleasing family feast, a casual summer picnic, or an afternoon tea, Sophie has taken the pressure off by designing a clever menu to suit. Her array of tasty, achievable recipes creates just the kind of food you’ll want to make again and again. And along the way, Sophie shares many wise words of encouragement. Support the Pink Ribbon Breakfast appeal Toast racks go under the hammer for breast cancerA private collection of more than 400 china toast racks will be auctioned online as separate lots by Cordy’s from tomorrow, with a percentage of the proceeds to be donated to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s Pink Ribbon Breakfast appeal. Click below to register for this unique auction which runs from 6-11 May. [Read more]( [( Promoted content Danish design at Good FormWarm Nordic features classic and contemporary Danish design that embraces the informal warmth of the Nordic interior. All designs, whether classic or new, cultivate a timeless Nordic spirit and showcase a rich understanding of materials and traditional craftsmanship. [Shop now]( Giveaway Win one of 25 double movie passes to James & IseyJames Cross has devoted the past 20 years to looking after his mum Isey on their farm in Kawakawa. James & Isey is a heart-warming documentary which follows the duo the week before Isey's 100th birthday. In cinemas from 6 May. We have 25 double movie passes to give away, competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 May. [Enter here]( [( Find a special gift for MumMade with love in New Zealand, Linden Leaves is a family owned company that creates luxurious natural beauty products and gifts for you and your home. Find your perfect gift this Mother’s Day at [lindenleaves.com]( – there’s something for every mum and every budget! Save 30 percent when you use the code NZHG. [Shop now]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Advertise]( | [Contact](mailto:editor@nzhouseandgarden.co.nz) © Copyright 2021 NZ House & Garden, a division of Stuff Limited (Magazines). Cider Building, 4 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand