Which recipe?

[slyoldfox]

I'm new to baking but I can follow instructions and want to make a shaped cake for a birthday party..

Because I need to cut it into a shape, google is telling me I need a 'pound cake' recipe so it's denser and easier to cut into a house shape. Is this right? Or will any old sponge cake recipe do?

Also the recipes are for 12 servings and I need double that. Can I just double the ingredients? I've heard that can make things go wrong.

Lastly if I'm using a square or rectangle tin - do I have to make 2 cakes to then put buttercream in between? Or can I make 1 cake and chop it through the centre to make 2 halves and then sandwich them together?

Sorry for these simple questions but it's burning my brain out!! Thanks in advance

Are you in the UK?
Pound cake is an American way of saying 'Victoria Sponge'. Does that help?

If you double up the ingredients you'll need a different tin and a different cooking time/temp so it cooks evenly all the way through without scorching the corners. If you aren't confident/experienced enough to 'amend' recipes keep looking until you find one that does exactly what you want.

Good hunting

Madeira Cake would be good. Also, it keeps better so you don't have a big rush to get it carved and iced on the same day as the celebration.

Oh ok thanks that makes sense re Pound Cake/Victoria Sponge. I'm going to attempt to bake it tomorrow and then I got loads of ready to roll icing to cover it with.

I've got a big tin 9x13inch so will try and find a recipe for that.

Still confused as to whether I have to make 2 cakes or just 1 and slice through the middle??

Definitely do Madeira cake. Victoria sandwich is too light and fluffy. You want a denser cake that will hold the filling and take a bit of pressure while icing. It also won't be as crumbly when you cut it

It might be easier, as a first-timer to bake 2 cakes then sandwich together.