10 EASY CAKE IDEAS
For a comforting sweet treat, bake one of our simple cakes, which range from delicate victoria sponge to frosted banana loaf and classic carrot cake.
If you’re looking for an easy dessert recipe for entertaining, a birthday cake, or easy baking ideas for your family, keep reading to find our easy cake recipes…
How to bake a basic cake
Do I need to line my cake tins?
If a cake recipe tells you to butter and flour a tin then do so. The batter might not rise as well if you don’t (it needs the butter to help it slide upwards). If it tells you not to, don’t! Some cake mixes need a rough surface to help them climb up.
How do I make my cake rise higher?
To help your sponge rise sift the flour a couple of times so that it’s nicely aerated when you add it. Sifting the baking powder along with the flour will make sure that it’s well mixed before beating.
Does the tin size matter?
You can’t change the tin sizes willy-nilly when baking a cake, so if you do use smaller or larger tins, adjust the cooking time (more for smaller tins, as the cake will be thicker, and less for larger ones).
Does it matter where in the oven I put my cake?
If your oven has a hot spot and your cakes always come up risen more on one side, rotate them half way through the cooking time.
How to fold and cream a basic cake mix
How do I soften butter for baking?
It can be a painstakingly time-consuming task waiting for your butter to soften before adding it to pastry as if it is heated in the microwave it’ll be too soft/liquid to make a well-risen cake. For those impatient bakers you can cube your butter, get a bowl of warm water and place the cubes in the water for around 5 minutes and it will be at the perfect temperature for your pastry.
How long do I need to mix the butter and sugar when making a cake mix?
Creaming together the butter and sugar is a traditional way of starting to make a cake, however many bakers do not mix them together for long enough. Spend at least 5 minutes creaming the butter and sugar on a high speed until the mixture turns extremely light, almost white and fluffy for optimal rise and a lighter cake.
How do I fold my cake mix correctly?
Fold thick into thin when combining two lots of mixture for a cake or soufflé. For example, you would add the beaten egg whites to the base, not the other way around. Add a couple of spoonfuls first and stir them in well, then fold in the remainder.
EASY HOMEMADE CAKE RECIPES
Salted honey polenta cake
Sea salt adds richness and enhances flavour in this salted honey polenta cake.
Victoria sponge cake
A classic, simple cake recipe for victoria sponge is one of the recipes that you should have in your repertoire. Once you master this, bake sales and afternoon tea will no longer be daunting, and making variations will be easy.
Biscoff cake
Make this triple-layered bake for a birthday party or celebratory afternoon tea.
Chocolate biscuit cake
There’s no need to turn on the oven with this caramel biscuit cake. It’s also a great way to use up any broken biscuits in the bottom of the biscuit tin.
Date and walnut cake
Enjoy this simple all-in-one loaf cake for an afternoon treat. Serve with a cup of tea or cold glass of milk.
Prosecco cake
Try this Victoria sponge, which combines elements of a lemon drizzle cake and a buck’s fizz cocktail. It’s great for a special occasion or simply to have with your afternoon cuppa.
Vanilla cake
Decorate this classic vanilla-scented sandwich cake with fresh flowers and sprinkles for a celebratory feel.
Fig cake
Soft and squidgy figs are mixed with marsala then baked into a vanilla and almond sponge, a comforting cake that’s great alongside a cup of tea.
Oreo cake
Fans of Oreo will love this triple-stacked sponge cake, slathered with a light and airy Oreo buttercream.
Madeira cake
Serve this madeira cake with a spoonful of greek yogurt and your favourite berries, or a little chocolate spread for a special treat.
Finally, here’s how to cool, dry and store cakes
Do I need to cool my cakes?
Cool your cakes in the tin when they are very hot. Once they can be handled, take them out. Otherwise they will steam and end up soggy.
How long do I let my cake cool before icing?
Before icing cakes or any baked produce, remember to leave them to cool completely; they need to be cold. Being at an ideal temperatures means that the icing will stay exactly where it needs to be and will not run off the cake.
How do I cut a cake?
Use dental floss to cut a cake in half; it works like a cheese wire. But not the mint flavour, of course!
How do I fix a dry cake?
Your heart deflates when you realise that all the time and effort spent baking a cake has been wasted because once it’s out of the tin, it’s dry. Fear not; just make a simple syrup. Boil equal parts sugar and water together and brush it over the dry cake, the sweet liquid will seep into the sponge creating more moisture.
How do I store a cake?
The two or three tiered cupcake stands are beautiful but not very practical unless you’re in range of ravenous friends who will demolish the food within an hour or two; this is due to the fact that they are not airtight. It is worth investing in a cake stand that has a sealed lid to keep your baked produce fresh
