1. Ingredients
This recipe makes one medium-sized cake.
| Ingredient | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Plain flour | 2½ cups |
| Butter or margarine | 250 g |
| Sugar | 1 cup |
| Eggs | 5 |
| Milk | ½ cup |
| Baking powder | 2 teaspoons |
| Vanilla flavour | 2 teaspoons |
| Nutmeg | ½ teaspoon |
| Salt | A pinch |
Optional ingredients for a richer cake:
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2. How to prepare the cake
Step 1: Cream butter and sugar
Put the butter and sugar in a bowl. Beat for about 8–10 minutes until the mixture becomes light and creamy.
Add the eggs one after another, mixing properly after each addition. Add vanilla flavour.
Sieve the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt together.
Add the flour mixture gradually to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix gently until smooth. Do not overmix.
Grease the pan with butter and dust lightly with flour. Pour in the batter, filling the pan to about two-thirds.
3. How to bake with a gas cooker
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Get a large, thick-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid.
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Place a sturdy metal rack or stand inside the pot.
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Cover the pot and preheat on low heat for 5–10 minutes.
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Place your cake pan on the rack.
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Cover the pot tightly and bake on very low heat.
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Allow approximately 50–70 minutes, depending on the size of your cake and the heat.
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Insert a toothpick into the centre. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
Important: Do not place the cake pan directly on the pot’s bottom. Do not add water for this dry-pot method. Keep the heat low to prevent burning.
4. How to make simple birthday cake cream
Ingredients:
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250 g butter
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3–4 cups icing sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla flavour
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2–3 tablespoons milk
Method:
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Beat the butter until soft and creamy.
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Add icing sugar gradually.
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Add vanilla flavour.
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Add milk little by little until the cream is smooth and easy to spread.
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Spread over the completely cooled cake.
You can add food colouring if you want a colourful birthday cake.
5. Secrets to getting a soft, fluffy cake
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Use room-temperature butter and eggs.
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Beat the butter and sugar properly.
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Measure your flour correctly.
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Avoid adding too much milk.
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Do not overmix after adding flour.
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Use fresh baking powder.
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Allow the cake to cool before decorating.