I'm going to have a first go at making a 'proper' cake - help!

[MascaraOHara]

ok so I tinker about in the kitchen muffins etc but nothing major.

I want to make a 'proper' cake, Victoria Sponge I'm thinking as first attempt

Is it fool proof? anybody got any useful hints & tips?

what should I do/not do?

VS is not foolproof at all I'm afraid

have you a good recipe?

I use the trad 4oz of each + 2 eggs but there are subtle variations (add a tsp of baking powder if you are worried about it rising)

leave the butter out to soften
preheat oven
grease tin
beat butter with sugar till your arm drops off
beat eggs in jug and beat into butter a little at time
fold in flour with metal spoon (I never sieve, too lazy)
pour into tin

do not open oven door till well risen and golden
test with knife for doneness
invert onto cooling rack then back onto another one to avoid criss-cross patterns in the top

I use Nigella's victoria sponge.

Get 4 eggs. weigh them and then use the same weight of butter, sugar, SF flour. And a teaspoon of baking powder and a splash of milk.

I replace 20g of flour with 20g of cornflour in a Nigella styleeeee and it's brilliant. It makes it rise loads. Still use the baking powder as well though.

Line the tin.

That's it, fairly foolproof I would say.

why risk potential humiliation, get yourself to Greggs

NOT REALLY

have a crack at this method

Make a choc cake, much more satisfying imo.
this one looks suitably easy and fabulous

Suzy!! How did the dinner go??

porcalicious!

it was vair vair nice, thank you

Spanish one planned for my next extravaganza, shall I get you a ticket?

Yes please, I can be there anytime

scorchio!

LOL thanks guys.. I want to start baking proper cakes so I need to learn.. was going to to attempt first one for my own birthday cake lol

I don't even have a cake tin yet I feel like a lesser woman for admitting that.

The things I am most worried about are

a) it not rising
b) it being dry

I need to make a lushous, perfect sponge that other people will swoon over LOL

sponges are risky

chocolate cake is easier as if it doesn't rise or is underdone it just tastes fudgy and lovely, and if it's dry you can serve it with cream / creme fraiche

the other tip is to make it on the morning you need it - you can get away with a lot more if it's fresh than if it's been stored. Fill with lots of jam and whipped cream.

Ok, so Vic Sponge is a bit adevnturous for first attempt?

Shoudl I realistically go for a chocolate cake then?

don't do nigella's VS, it's not light. delia's basic sponge recipe is a dream otoh. so easy, so long as everything is sitting out for a while first.

this

Whatever you do, make sure you follow the recipe to the letter and don't try and improvise. Baking is a science and you shouldn't try and 'go ot alone' until you really know what you're doing.

Good luck. There's nothing yummier than a home-made cake.

I would, just to get your confidence up

this one is dead easy

You know this thread has now made me aspire to making a perfect Vic Sponge...

How plump will i get on the way to my perfect Vic Sponge I wonder?!?!

I've always liked the science of baking.. I just never seem to do it

I will be kitchen goddess extrodinaire (one day) or maybe I won't but I will bake a cake lol

So do I need to round cake tins? is buying cake tins difficult (lol)

i got silicone ones in woolies, i think they were about £3 each. very easy to turn out.

My Nigella Victoria Sponge cake is as light as a feather I'll have you know!

is it? i've had a few friends tell me they thought it was a bit dense too, it's not just me. clearly you are the chilly type have baker's hands.

Are silicon tins the way to go? I'm going to make first attempt on Sunday

I like my old metal ones (much cheaper than silicon if you're not sure how much you'll use them. Tesco or Wooolworths - grease well.

Chocolate cake.

If it doesnt rise, you can turn it into chocolate squares instead... It will be ever so yummy and nobody needs to know you didnt plan to make chocolate squares.

You need to put nice music on and be relaxed and enjoy it. Baking is fun.

(To me cooking is a dire chore, but I enjoy baking)

I wouldn't bake a sponge to be honest. There are yummier cakes but Mary Berry's sponge will work, never known it to fail. Shall I post the recipe?

I don't use those silicon cake-tins so don't know if they are good or not. Use normal ones but with a spring base and sides you can sort of unlatch (easier to get the cake out).

So what are you making, have you decided yet?

A buttermilk recipe will ensure the cake isn't dry, also one with some egg whites rather than just full eggs will ensure it is light. I will try and di out arecipe for you.