Is there a secret I'm missing?

[QueenOfIce]

I love baking, I follow the recipes to the letter and yet my bakes are usually rubbish. They don't taste great, I have no idea why I just don't have the 'knack' I guess

Is there a secret to baking cakes I'm missing?

if you have a fan oven, switch off the fan element (if that's possible) fan dries anything out.
get an oven thermometer so you get the correct temperature.

I often add a bit more baking powder than the recipe states, and also raise the temp by about 20 degrees or more.

Also only ever use real butter

And never attempt a "healthy" cake

I weigh eggs.

If it's basic Vicky Sponge;

200g equal plain flour, caster sugar, salted butter and eggs. 1 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp vanilla essence. Tonnes of air and 2 x 8" tins with Lakeland cake tin liners, but I cook for 25-30 minutes at 130'C as my oven is shite and doesn't bake well unless it's slow and cautious

OP, are you using an electric whisk? That's the secret to light, fluffy cakes - a good 2-minute whisking on full speed.

definitely weigh the eggs - best basic recipe is the WI method. I don't cream first, but do it as an all in one , and whisk lightly - with baking powder you don't want to overbeat, it will go tough so :-

for 2 x 7” cake tins 170º fan 20-25 minutes

3 large eggs - weigh with shells on
same weight of:-
self raising flour
caster sugar
butter/soft margarine
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 tablespoons milk

I use cake liners for the tins
and yes - the temperature is all important :)

Thanks for the recipes! I don't like Victoria sponge but then I could use buttercream instead of cream couldn't I. Might give that a go tomorrow!