I would like to make a cake

[notasize10yetbutoneday]

...which just for once, doesn't turn out wrong!

The only cakes I have succes with are the pathetically easy fruit tea loaf types. Recently I have tried:

Nigella's flourless chocolate cake- was ok-ish but very dense and too moist

Carrot cake- was very gritty? Recipe was on UK food website

Lemon drizzle- ok but bit dull

Mary berry's chocolate brownies- more of a chcoolate cake then a brownie and the edges burned even though the oven was lower temp and ten minutes less cooking time than recipe stated.

What can I make which is foolproof but exciting?! I can shop for ingredients today.

TIA

what do you particularly look for in a cake?

Have a look on the www.carnation.co.uk

The Chocolate Fudge Cake is wonderful and very easy to make - my boys favourite cake.

Delia's classic sponge cake is my failsafe recipe.
here

Beat me to it BooBoo!

In culinary circles foolproof = Delia.
[made Delia sponge last night emoticon]

Good question Blonde...I don't know really, its just that mine seem to be lacking in comparions with other people's homemade cakes. I suppose I want something tasty, that would be the main criteria, if that make sense. I like cakes with 'flavours' rather than a plain sponge. Although maybe I should perfect a plin sponge first before moving on to other things? I suspect I may be trying to run before I can walk.

Ah, but then it depends on what you put in the sponge. We had damson jam (lovely strong taste) and cream.

What about a Delia coffe and walnut

yy delia's classic sponge is def foolproof
maybe add grated lemon zest to the mix and sandwich with some good quality lemon curd

OOh I like the idea of making the classic cponge lemony. Excellent idea, thank you

ooh just another thought but why not make a lemon syrup and pour it over the cakes whilst they're cooling in their pans?