I NEED AN IDIOT PROOF CAKE RECIPE

[littleoldme]

It's Ds first birthday on Friday. I want to make him a cake but mine usually come out flat and rubbish. Anyone got any suggestions ?

Buy a box from Tesco and read the back! That's what I do!

For a really easy cake get a Betty Crocker mix from the supermarket. If not, the Jane Asher ones are good too. Just add eggs, water and oil and mix - they come up really big and are quick and look good (and home made so you can kid everyone its your own secret recipe!) I add my own butter cream or filling of choice and you can decorate the top with chocolate buttons or flakes etc. Good luck.

buy one

I make the lemon drizzle cake for the boys birthday cakes if not buying, then decorate to suit.

I have a fab one, I was useless at cakes before I found this one, It is really great..... ready!

8oz SR Flour - sifted
8oz of soft butter (must be butter... not marg)
8oz caster sugar
4lg eggs
1stp baking powder
2-3 drops of vanilla essence

Put all ingreidients in a bowl and mix with electric mixer if possible OR put all ingreidients together in to a food processor/mixer and blend until smooth.

Line sides and bottom of a 20cm baking tin with grease proof paper and bake in middle shelf of oven at 170° for approx 1 hr. Or until knife pushed into middle of cake comes out clean.

Turn on to wire rack and leave cake to cool completely.

I then make a butter icing for the top.
4oz soft butter
1 drop of vanilla essence
1/2tsp of lemon juice
225g Icing sugar
1/2 tbs of milk.
Put all inreidients together and Blend well.

My dd's favorite bit is popping smarties or chocy buttons on the top. But use their favorite sweet to decorate maybe?

It's really really easy and tastes yummy.

Thanks everyone. I've gone with the Jane Asher suggestion

Oh sorry, I thought you said you wanted to make one.

Mme - I did say I wanted to make one. However, a snotty boy, a messy house and loads of marking and lesson planning to do... I went for the easy option; much to my shame. I have written your recipe down though. I'm going to have a go when I've got more time.