Fail safe basic cake recipe

[plugee]

My friend was making me a birthday cake but has covid and is unwell so I'm going to attempt myself.

What's the best recipe for a basic vanilla sponge cake you would recommend?

Thanks

3 eggs
180g butter, sugar flour
pinch of salt
baking powder.

bake in 20cm tin for about 40 min at 180

how many will that serve?

I will do two, thank you

Get your cake tins ready - line the base with baking parchment so the cake doesn't stick.

decide how many eggs you want (3 eggs / 4 eggs / whatever).

weigh the eggs (in shells) in grams and that if your 'magic number. for 2 eggs, i normally get around 133g

now weight out the 'magic number' worth of butter, sugar & self-raising flour into a big bowl. Add the eggs, a teaspoon of baking power and a teaspoon of vanilla essence (optional).

Mix the whole lot up with an electric mixer. Mix lots to get lots of air in.

Tip the batter into the tins

Bake at 170 Deg for about 15 mins (longer if you have deep tins). It is done if

• a skewer that you stick in the middle comes out dry (not sticky)


• the top looks just brown and springs back if you press it

Take them out to cool. Then tip them out of the tin. Then ice.

I weigh 2/3 eggs then make all the other ingredients the same weight. Beat in a mixer, Chuck in the oven.

I almost forgot - if the batter above is very stiff (like dough) then add 2 tablespoons of milk to make it easier to mix.

thank you!

All in one method. I work in oz as you have the oz for the number of eggs so;

4oz of self raising flour, caster sugar and dairy free margarine
2 eggs
A dash of vanilla or 2 table spoons of cocoa powder

Mix together and put in the oven on 160 fan. Cupcakes for about 15 mins and a cake for around 25-30 mins.

Check it's cooked by sticking a sharp knife in the top and if it comes out clean it's cooked.

This does around 12 large cupcakes 24 small ones

I'd do 6oz and 3 eggs for sandwich tins or a small cake tin

I find the 4/4/4 method too sweet

I do 4 oz flour 2oz sugar 2oz butter

mix butter and sugar until smooth add 2 eggs and add in flour - and milk and vanilla essence for a thinner mixture and bake in a greaced tin.

Cakes will always be better with an electric whisk as opposed to by hand so borrow one if you dont have one already

Mary Berry's Victoria Sponge.

i've got a mixer

4, 4, 4 and 2!

4oz Self raising flour
4 ox Caster Sugar (golden if possible for the nicest flavour)
4oz butter
2 eggs
Vanilla extract

Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy
Whisk eggs
Mix sieved flour, eggs, vanilla and creamed mixture gently together

Bake at 180 in a lined 7" cake tin for approx 25 mins.

Delia All in one method from her cookery course.

Foolproof.

Enjoy!

Lots of good options. My recommendation when making a sponge is to shift the flour 4 times. Results in the lightest crumb.

Thanks all, I have made it & it looks pretty good!