Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Butter two 20cm sandwich tins and line with non-stick baking paper.
step 2
In a large bowl, beat 200g caster sugar, 200g softened butter, 4 beaten eggs, 200g self-raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 2 tbsp milk together until you have a smooth, soft batter.
step 3
Divide the mixture between the tins, smooth the surface with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
step 4
Bake for about 20 mins until golden and the cake springs back when pressed.
step 5
Turn onto a cooling rack and leave to cool completely.
step 6
To make the filling, beat the 100g softened butter until smooth and creamy, then gradually beat in 140g sifted icing sugar and a drop of vanilla extract (if you’re using it).
step 7
Spread the buttercream over the bottom of one of the sponges. Top it with 170g strawberry jam and sandwich the second sponge on top.
step 8
Dust with a little icing sugar before serving. Keep in an airtight container and eat within 2 days.
If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat that combines crunch with a rich chocolatey flavour, then this chocolate tiffin is just what you need! It's super easy to whip up, and perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!).
Ingredients:
- 150g butter, cubed, plus more to grease the tin
- 3 tbsp caster sugar
- 3 tbsp golden syrup
- 6 tsp cocoa powder
- 225g biscuits, crushed (digestives work wonderfully)
- A small handful of raisins
- 110g milk chocolate
- 110g dark chocolate
Directions:
1. Start by greasing a 15-20cm square tin and lining it with baking paper for easy removal later.
2. In a large saucepan over low heat, combine the cubed butter, caster sugar, golden syrup, and cocoa powder. Stir gently until everything has melted and blended together smoothly.
3. Once your mixture is shiny and well combined, remove it from the heat. Add the crushed biscuits and raisins, mixing until everything is evenly coated.
4. Transfer the biscuit and chocolate mixture into the prepared tin, pressing it down with the back of a spoon to ensure it’s compact.
5. For the chocolate topping, place the milk and dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Microwave in short bursts of about 20 seconds, stirring in between until fully melted and smooth.
6. Carefully pour the melted chocolate over the biscuit base, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
7. Place the tin in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours to set – or leave it overnight for the best results.
8. Once the tiffin is firm, lift it out of the tin using the baking paper. Use a sharp knife to cut it into squares or bars.
Enjoy your delicious chocolate tiffin! It’s perfect with a cup of tea or as a delightful snack any time of the day.
The public is being given a chance to vote for their favourite nature image from a shortlist ranging from flamingos under power lines to a sloth sheltering its baby from the rain.
A 'truly exceptional' line-up of 24 images has been selected for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year's Nuveen People's Choice Award, with people able to vote online anywhere in the world.
A juvenile swimming crab hitching a night-time lift on a jellyfish, a pangolin pup in a rescue centre, a bear sheltering from the rain in a furnace with a butterfly on its nose, a polar bear family resting in the summer heat and young kestrels preparing to fledge are among the shortlisted images.
They also include a 'superpod' of spinner dolphins, a huge pile of confiscated snares from a national park in Uganda and young bear cubs play-fighting in a road silhouetted against the glow of car headlights.
The photographs, which document the natural world and the threats it faces, have been chosen from more than 60,000 entries to the annual competition, and are in addition to the 100 winning images announced in October.
A brown-throated three-toed sloth mother cradles her young in her arms to shelter it from the rain
A young lynx playfully throws a rodent into the air before killing and devouring it in Torre de Juan Abad, Ciudad Real, Spain
A brushtail possum joey mirrors its mother climbing a branch while out foraging in Miena, Tasmania
An ambush bug nymph remains motionless in a flower, waiting for prey to wander within react in Ferndale, Michigan
A sun bear shelters from the rain in a furnace in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand
Against the darkness of the night-time sea, a juvenile swimming crab hitches a ride on a jellyfish
A leucistic otter feeds on a catfish in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
A mother polar bear and her three cubs pause peacefully in the summer heat
A polar bear cub looks into the camera as it accompanies its mother on an unsuccessful hunting trip
A rare tiger with wide, dark stripes wanders a tiger reserve in India
A mountainous pile of confiscated snares lies behind Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers
An elusive rufous-vented ground cuckoo plucks up a cicada in the depths of the rainforest in Costa Rica
A group of flamingos stands out against a stark industrial backdrop of power lines
A pangolin pup nestles into the warmth of a blanket at a rescue centre in South Africa
A sarus crane parent shares an intimate and moving moment with its one-week-old chick
The striking eyes of a curious lion-tailed macaque and its infant are on display as it races along a path
A sika deer carries the interlocked severed head of a rival male that had died after their battle. In autumn, male sika deer fight over females by clashing their antlers
A male marvellous spatuletail hummingbird shows off its long tail while it feeds on flowers
Three young kestrels prepare to leap from their nest to a nearby beam
A spectacular superpod of spinner dolphins herds lanternfish towards the surface of the ocean
A cellar spider, sometimes known as a daddy long-legs, carries a ball of precious eggs in its mouth
A silhouetted pair of young bear cubs rear up and play-fight in the middle of a quiet road in Jasper National Park, Canada
A tiny male sits on the abdomen of a well-camouflaged female broad-headed bark spider, waiting until she moults and is ready to mate in Phuket, Thailand
Dr Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum in London, said: 'No matter where you are in the world, it's time to join the jury and vote in the Nuveen People's Choice Award to select the photograph set for display in our flagship exhibition here at the Natural History Museum.
'Whether showcasing fascinating behaviour or platforming a powerful story, this year's selection of images is truly exceptional, and we can't wait to see which one will be chosen as the public's favourite.'
The public can vote for their favourite image on digital screens at the exhibition at the Natural History Museum or online, with the winning entry and four runners-up to be announced on March 25 and showcased at the exhibition.
