Birthday cake

[Curiouslygrumpycola]

I need to make a child's birthday cake to serve around 20 people.

Does any feel like sharing their fool proof birthday cake recipe?

If it makes a difference, I need to cover it in icing as it needs to link to my dc's favourite tv show.

I'm going to buy ready made icing as I need very bold colours and don't think I will manage it myself. Any tips for gluing or attaching?

Sorry for not being more specific, trying not to out myself!

For the cake, I would say use this recipe:

pre-heat oven to 160 degrees

beat together 450g margerine and 450g white caster sugar with a wooden spoon until the mixture is pale and creamy

add 4 eggs and mix in with a metal spoon

add 500g self-raising flour, a pinch of salt and a pinch of baking powder and mix it all in with a metal spoon until all of the ingredients are combined

pop the mixture in a greased (or lined with baking parchment) tin and bake on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for 25 mins., then check it by putting a metal skewer or sharp knife into the middle of the cake, it should come out clean, if it doesn´t bake for 5-10 more mins. and check again

when it´s cooked take it out of the oven and leave it to cool

for attaching the icing I would suggest brushing the cake with warmed jam, using a pastry brush - apricot jam is usually best (warm it in the microwave)

Good luck!

p.s. you can turn the above cake into a chocolate one by adding 2-3 heaped teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder at the same stage as the flour.

Alternatively use a teaspoon of vanilla essence at the flour stage.

Thank you! Was feeling very overwhelmed by the recipe choices online. Would rather trust a mumsnetter's tried and tested recipe. Will let you know how I get on.

I hope it´s nice! It´s for kids all they really care about is the icing.

I am a massive baking fan and an unashamed to say I use Sainsbury's Value cake mix. I love it - it tastes great and never fails me. I would use 3 bags for 20 people. I use Sugarflair colour paste (get it from Ebay) to get bright results.

Cake was very homemade looking, but a great success. Does anything beat the adoration of a toddler?

May have to remember the pre made option mix for future cakes. Making cakes raises my blood pressure