Celebrity square meals: Tony Blair's all-in-one chocolate sponge

The former Prime Minister contributed this recipe to the City of London Cookbook in aid of the Lord Mayor's appeal. The editors of the book were too polite, however, to enquire whether it was actually made by Tony Blair himself, or whether it was made by Cherie Blair or their children.

Serves 8

110g self-raising flour, sifted
1tsp baking powder
110g soft margarine
110g caster sugar
2 large eggs
1tbsp cocoa powder
125g jam or lemon curd
200ml double cream, whipped
Icing sugar for dusting

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3/170C. Oil and line 2 x 18cms sponge tins with baking paper. Sift the flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Add the other ingredients and whisk with an electric hand whisk until smooth. The mixture needs to be sloppy so you may need to add a few teaspoons of warm water. Divide the mixture into both tins, level off and bake for about 30 minutes.

Turn out on to cooling racks and remove the lining paper. Sandwich together with jam or lemon curd, whipped cream and dust with icing sugar.

'The City of London Cookbook' by Peter Gladwin is published by Accent Press, price £12.99