Who doesn’t love a bit of cake?
Here at The Roost we are wild about it. That’s why we’ve added a few of our favourites from local bakery, Halls, to our “Little Extras” Page. So why not enjoy something sweet & sticky on your next stay with us?
The History of the Humble Victoria Sandwich
Our absolute favourite — you can’t go wrong with a Vickie!
But did you know the Victoria sandwich was named after Queen Victoria, who was a great fan of afternoon tea and particularly enjoyed the perfect simplicity of the jam filled sponge?
1843 – Baking powder is invented
Invented by Alfred Bird in 1843, baking powder allowed for lighter, airier cakes that could include more fat, making them richer.
1855 – Afternoon tea becomes fashionable
Queen Victoria was a fan of afternoon tea and enjoyed many sweet treats, including chocolate sponges, plain sponges, biscuits, petit fours, and almond sweets. Queen Victoria’s Lady of the Bedchamber, Anna Russell, would ask her servants to sneak tea and cakes to her chamber between lunch and dinner. She eventually extended invitations to some of her social circle to her rooms at Belvoir Castle.
Children’s tea
In the early Victorian period, afternoon tea consisted of seed cake and fruit cake, which were considered unsafe for children to eat. The light and harmless Victoria sponge was prepared as a teatime treat for them instead.
Did you know?
Milk was added to tea to prevent china cups from cracking, due to the heat of the tea, and to prevent staining.
The recipe
Why bother? Just buy one from Halls! But in case you are interested, the earliest known recipe for Victoria sandwiches is from Isabella Beaton’s 1861 cookbook The Book of Household Management.
The History of Halls Bakery
Established in 1902, J.Hall & Son Bakers are a 4th generation family-run business. Originally started in the Cotswold village of Minchinhampton, the bakery was set up to deliver fresh baked bread to homes in Minchinhampton and neighbouring villages. Established for over 120 years, they know how to make a damn fine cake and always insist on sourcing quality local ingredients for everything they bake. For example, one of their flour suppliers is the famous Shipton Mills of Tetbury, Gloucester.