Can I please share this with you?

[sadkoala]

No one IRL will really be bothered about this so hoping I can share here.
My first ever cake!
I only ever baked cookies and brownies before (and some dodgy muffins). I know it's wonky and looks a bit weird and I got a bit sprinkle happy and don't really know what I'm doing ...
But I'm proud that I actually managed the whole thing without burning anything or the whole thing collapsing!
It's vanilla cake and basic vanilla buttercream with a teeny bit of lemon.

.

Your first ever cake? It looks fabulous! Quite envious now...

That's lovely!

Can I come over? I'll bring the teabags and milk

It looks great!

Looks like a perfect sprinkle ratio to me!

And also looks delicious...

Aww thank you! Glad to know it's not too sprinkly 

Come on over @LifeIsGoodish I can't image we can manage the whole thing (if it is edible) as DP is not a fan of buttercream.
I wouldn't dare give it away to anyone I know in fear of something being wrong with it

Wow, op! For your first cake, that is an incredible job! You are clearly very talented!

Am hoping you live near me, can I pop round?

@sadkoala I'm just eating my tea now, if you can pop round any time after half 6 with a slice...

That's amazing - very beautiful and creative decorations I agree with pp you definitely have talent!

Oh gosh that looks absolutely delicious. I want some right now. Well done. Now you've started you won't stop!

Very nice!

You should be rightly proud of yourself.

That looks delicious!

Ooooh that looks really delicious - I could eat a slice right now!

a fabulous cake

Just imagine how spectacular your cakes would be if you practiced a bit! You obviously have a natural talent for this.

Oh dear I'm sat here grinning like a crazy lady. Thank you so much for all the lovely, lovely comments

We are yet to taste it so will update with the verdict (not that I have great taste buds but will rely on DPs critique as he's surprisingly good with cake tasting ).

Well done!

Ok so the cake has been sampled and it's edible!
The bottom layer could have been fluffier but to be honest I think I put it in the oven before it was properly heated as it seemed to take a while to bake and stuck to the pan.
Top is fluffier.
Lesson learnt.

Buttercream a bit too sweet for me (and I'm usually a big fan) and I like it a bit firmer. Tasted different once actually on the cake...

Anyone have any base buttercream recipes to throw my way to try next time?

Looks delish!

Just had some excellent (purchased) coffee cake, maybe try that the next time if you want a bit more kick to it?

tbh I find buttercream a bit too rich. You can try whipped cream and jam, or maybe just lemon / orange curd. Or just jam.
or nutella. or anything you fancy!...

Yes you can share cake with me!!

It looks lush, great job

Did you use salted butter? I find that stops it being too sweet. Unsalted is just too much sweet, but the saltiness helps cut through it a bit.

Lovely cake!

Buttercream I use is

250g salted butter
250g sieved icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Milk

Beat butter until pale and fluffy. Beat in icing sugar a few tablespoons at a time. Beat in vanilla. Beat in milk a tablespoon at a time until the buttercream becomes even fluffier and a shade paler (about 4-5 spoons, usually).

Then I tweak it

To get it firmer and less sweet, beat in a packet of cream cheese (not low fat). If there's any whey when you open the packet, drain it off first. I use a packet of Waitrose's own-brand, which is larger than Tesco's.

If you want to lift it to a slightly orgasmic flavour, you can also then beat in some melted white chocolate. The chocolate must be at room temperature, and drizzle it in carefully while beating gently, otherwise it sprays off the spinning beater and sets on the side of the bowl.