Recommend a vanilla sponge recipe

[Megan2018]

I need to make a vanilla sponge this week for DD’s birthday. Can anyone recommend a failsafe recipe for a novice baker?
It will have chocolate buttercream filling and decoration (plus chocolate buttons and fingers as they are her favourites) but she doesn’t like chocolate sponge, hence the vanilla.
I’ve made a few chocolate fudge cakes and victoria sponges in my time but that’s about it.

Nigella's victoria sponge from How to be a domestic goddess. If you have a blender/food processor, do it that way - you bung everything in except the milk and whizz it up till smooth, and then add the milk. it's never failed me.

Here's the recipe that someone has obligingly transcribed onto their blog: vickii-ibakethereforeiam.blogspot.com/2012/10/nigellas-victoria-sponge.html

I would make a Victoria sponge, but add vanilla essence to the mix.

I made some cupcakes the other day and added a bit of cornflour as I didn’t have quite enough self raising. They were lovely! The cornflour is a great addition - I believe that’s what American “cake flour” is - self raising with cornflour added.

I think Mary Berry’s sponge recipe a good bet for beginners.

Made this last weekend but used spread rather than block butter. Easy peasy and lovely light texture.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/maryberryssperfect34317

I'd also go for Nigella's. I'm not a regular baker but I made it at the weekend (with jam and cream) and it turned out fab.

Thanks all, will check them out. Am a competent basic cook but rarely bake (lack of time and diabetic family!) but I need to build a repertoire for DD.

Still love Delias all in one sponge, never gone wrong.

I made this Maderia cake recipe for my DHs birthday (because I'd forgotten to order one in time)
I made it on the Sunday, and wrapped it in
cling film once it had cooled and it wasn't decorated til the Friday.
I am rubbish at cakes but this was a triumph. Not dry at all and easy to decorate.

shewhobakes.co.uk/classic-birthday-cake-recipe/

I make the Mary Berry one and add a sash of boiling water to the last whisk - makes the mixture a bit mousse-like - and I turn off the fan and use the 'normal' oven (felt the fan dried my cakes out a bit). Always delicious now.

Dash not sash!

Keep it simple - use the 4442 recipe:

4oz each of flour, caster sugar and butter and 2 eggs. (120g in oz aren't your thing)

Really nice and easy to remember!