So I've done something stupid and I need help (or maybe counselling)

[HopecoveGirl]

I hope that someone or many someones can offer me some suggestions. (pleading a bit here). I've volunteered to make cakes for a Vintage Tea for a local organisation.
So my bog standard family cakes are Lemon Drizzle, Barmbrack Cake and Almond Cake. I get the impression that this might not meet the standards required and that's my own fault. I was too keen to volunteer.
Can anybody suggest some cake recipes that aren't too complicated and certainly don't involve icing, that look, well to be honest, impressive?

these are winners:

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2303676/black-forest-gteau

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

the bakewell traybake on this page is amazing - don't bother with the fresh raspberries:

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/22/summer-baking-recipes-fearnley-whittingstall

and nigella banana bread from domestic goddess is foolproof. I put chocolate chips in it. Amazing.

Good luck!

If you need any volunteer tasters, just say the word. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would be prepared to help...............

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

For all the lovely suggestions. I will bear you in mind FadedRed for the volunteered tasting. That is so very kind of you. Seriously, though I think that might be a good idea.
Thanks Cronberry for the links. That helps and Grouchy, that cake looks amazing!

Last week I made Delia's lemon curd for the first time to put in a lemon cake. It is absolutely amazing.

Jamie Oliver's recipe for coffee and walnut is lovely
And another vote for Delia's lemon cake

Thank you, another 2 to add to my list. My shopping trip is going to take some time this week.

If you don't want to ice a Victoria sponge, get a pretty lacy d'oyley, put in on top of the cake and then sieve a little icing sugar over the top - just a fine coating. Then carefully remove the d'oyley and you have a pretty icing sugar pattern over the top of the cake.

DM used to do this - so must be vintage, she was born in 1915!

Oh that's very clever tb. I like that idea a lot.

Thank you

When I make lemon drizzle cake, I split the mixture in two, put the drizzle on both cakes and then sandwich them together with a mix of mascarpone and lemon curd. It's always a massive hit whenever I serve it.

I like the sound of that Tindel. I'm going to have a go. I reckon it will make it a bit more special than my bog standard lemon drizzle cake.

Thank you

Hairy Bikers coffee cardamom cake. No coffee in it and if you can get ground cardomom even better. I got mine from a world/ethnic shop. Made in a square tin.

Lemon, lime and poppy seed cake. Grating is a pain though.