The birthday cake

The birthday cake becomes the focal point of a party with everyone gathered around to sing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl or boy. Here are a few ideas for different cakes that you can make.

Butter Cake Recipe

This butter cake recipe is very versatile and can be used to make any number of combinations for a party.

Ingredients:

These quantities make one standard cake.

• 125 grams of softened butter
• ⅔ cup of caster sugar
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Essence
• 2 cups self-raising flour
• ⅔ cup milk

Method:

1. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs and Vanilla Essence (beat until well mixed).
3. Add small amounts of flour and milk until well mixed in together.
4. Place into a lined and greased tin and cook for 45 mins in an oven pre-heated to 180 °C.
5. Test with a skewer to ensure that it is cooked.

Variations:

Chocolate cake

• To turn this recipe into a chocolate cake, add 2 tbs of cocoa and 2 tbs of milk to the mixture and beat through.

Marble Cake

• Separate mixture into 3 equal parts in different bowls.
• Add a couple of drops of pink food colouring to one part.
• Add 1 tbsp of cocoa and 1 tbsp of milk to one part.
• Now spoon the different mixtures into the tin, one spoonful at a time, so that the colours alternate. To finish off the effect use a knife or skewer and swirl the colours together.