I need a foolproof birthday cake recipe! Anyone?

[phantomhairpuller]

I have to take a cake in to ds1 playgroup on Thursday for his birthday. I don't do baking!! I made his 1st birthday cake- lets just say I'm grateful it was only family who got to witness it

I know I could buy one for playgroup but I'm fairly sure all the other mums bake their own when it's their turn! I wouldn't want to let the side down!

Anyone got any foolproof recipes for me?

Thanks

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1997/classic-victoria-sandwich

Classic Victoria sponge? I'm not a natural baker but followed this recipe and it was delicious, really fluffy and light! I used fresh whipped cream with strawberries and it was so good

Look up Delia's all-in-one sponge, is the easiest recipe ever, and you can make variants like chocolate, vanilla or coffee.

Rocky road. No cooking involved.

Pre-heat your oven to between 170 and 180c

Butter two sandwich tins and line with grease proof paper

Weigh three large eggs

Weigh out the same weight as the eggs of:

Self raising flour
Caster Sugar
Softened butter/margarine

Cream the butter and sugar together.

Thoroughly whisk in one egg at a time.

Fold in the flour and one teaspoon of baking powder per 4ozs of flour.

Add one teaspoon of vanilla essence.

Pour gently and evenly into the tins.

Bake on the same shelf for about twenty to thirty minutes until the cakes are turning golden brown.

If you are not certain that it's done lightly press the middle of the cake, if it springs back it's done. You can also check with a cocktail stick inserted into the middle, if it comes away clean, it's done.

Sandwich together with ready made frosting or chocolate spread and decorate with ready made decorations or smarties (very popular around here)

I forgot to say if you want to do a chocolate sponge replace a couple of ounces of flour with cocoa powder.

Another fan of delias all in one sponge
www.deliaonline.com/recipes/cuisine/european/english/all-in-one-sponge-cake-with-raspberry-and-mascarpone-cream.html
you can add any filling but it is very easy.

Buy a loaf cake, take off the wrapper, "distress" it a bit and add buttercream (and a few mini eggs). Put it in a tin or box with your name written on, and make sure to ask for the box back "for my next cooking project".

Buy a ready made iced chocolate sponge cake from asda - link

stick chocolate fingers or kit kats around the sides, and fill the top with smarties or sweets of choice!

The absolute easiest way is what FiveExclamations wrote - weigh your eggs (in shells) and weigh everything else to match, it's foolproof. I would bake at 160 though if you have a fan oven. Anyone can bake, as long as you stick to the recipe. Good luck!

Good save Lizzie I'd forgotten to factor in that my oven runs a bit cool.

Thank you