HOW ESSENTIAL IS BAKING POWDER TO A SPONGE MIX?

[Disenchanted]

Its my BILs birthday and am skint so am going to make him individual sponge cakes with the letters for 'happy birthday' on each one.

But i made cakes at my sisters and forgot to bring home the baking powder, do i really need it??

Ill have to get all the kids dressed and into the buggies and stuff to go and get it

have you got s/r flour? .. not necessary if using self-raising only if plain

yes i have self raising!

yey so it will definatly be ok??

The recipie i have calls for SF flour & baking powder!

The classic sponge recipe doesn't use baking powder but you have to be more careful to get the air in and not knock it out when you mix it.

can you tell me that recipie please kathy?

thanks x

also don't put the oven on too high to ensure steady rise

This has the method.

Re quantities, you can weigh your eggs and then use exactly the same weight of sugar, flour and butter.

Thanks very much

Less important for small fairy cakes i think. my recipie (adapted from delia)
is
4 oz butter
4 oz caster sugar
2 large egges
6 oz self raising flour
half teaspoon of vanilla essense
1 deseart spoon of milk

put everything in bowl and beat with electic whisk until looks like batter. put into fairy cake cases in baking tin and cook in coolish oven (170 or so) for about 15 mins -until golden brown. Leave on wire rack to cool