Need birthday cake recipe please...

[Mandy21]

Am making a cake for my child's birthday party on Saturday. Have bought a fairly large square cake tin (21cm x 21cm x 7cm) and want to use that, but have no idea what quantities to use. The plan is to bake it tonight, freeze it overnight, and then shape it / decorate it tomorrow night (making a boat - got to cut it into shape and then decorate it with ready to roll icing). Thought it would be easier to handle if it was frozen.

Any advice / suggestions would be gratefully received (have never done this before).

Thank you

In my party cake book for a square cake tin it only goes up to 20cm which is 8".

This recipe is for a madeira cake which keeps very well.

1 1b self-raising flour
14oz caster sugar
14oz soft margarine
7 medium eggs
3 1/3 tbsp milk

baking time (approx) 1 3/4 - 2 hours

Sift your flour into the bowl and add all the other ingredients, beat for one minute.

Spoon into your based lined cake tin and bake at 150/300/gas2.

Hope this helps.

I also think it would be easier to cut when not frozen.

How about this one - the cake tin recommended is slightly different, rectangle instead of square but should be ok.

Thanks everyone for such quick replies!

after 3 disasters am gonna try your suggestions - am determined to make my baby's first birthday cake! need some cool decorating ideas as well - quite fance a big number 1 but not buying a special cake tin and don't want it wonky if i cut one out. brother in law made a chocolate tractor shaped cake last year so better get practicing!