A Beginner's Guide to Making Cakes | Easy Recipe with Tips and Equipment Recommendations

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging your sweet tooth, there's nothing quite like the smell of fresh cake out of the oven.

The process of making a cake from scratch may seem intimidating, but fear not! With a dollop of patience and practice plus a few helpful tips, you'll be on your way to creating a delicious masterpiece that will leave your taste buds singing.

In this beginner's guide, I'll walk you through the step-by-step process of making a basic cake and share some essential tips to make your baking journey a sweet success.

1. Prepare Your Baking Equipment | Tips and Recommendations

Before you dive into the baking process, lets make sure you have the right baking equipment. As a beginner, I would recommend:

A non-stick 9-inch cake tin (two tins if you would like to divide your batter and not worry about halving the cake into 2 layers later). There's one from Amazon below that has a patterned insert to immediately add a different aesthetic to your cake.

A beginners kit for cake decorating to make things easy and more cost effective that buying items individual, one that has a turn-table, piping nozzles, piping bags and scrapers and spatulas to get you started.

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You will also need baking paper to line the bottom of your pan, butter for greasing the sides of the pan, and an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) to make your batter smooth and fluffy.

On the topic of mixers, stand mixers with multiple attachment options are a worthwhile investment if you are wanting to delve into regular baking and bread making - it will definitely save you time and arm strength!

Kitchen Aid stand mixers are the most widely advertised and known to have great durability and a wide range of attachments and add-ons. For a baker on a budget, you can explore other brands (read the reviews!), scout out for second hand stand mixers in a good condition or opt for a hand mixer.

2. Gather Your Recipe Ingredients | Easy Cake Recipe

The first step in making any cake is to gather all the necessary ingredients. For a classic vanilla cake, you'll need:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature

• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature

For an exploration of cake types and more cake recipes, see here.

3. Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease the cake pans with butter or line them with parchment paper. This ensures that the cake won't stick to the pans when it's time to remove them.

My preference is to line the bottom with a circular cut-out of baking paper and butter or oil the sides, this makes the unmolding much easier and cleaner.

4. Mix the Batter

Now comes the fun part - mixing the batter!

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

2. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy using your electric mixer and the paddle attachment.

3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

4. Stir in the vanilla extract.

5. Next, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.

6. Mix on low speed in between until just combined; overmixing can lead to a tough cake.

5. Divide and Bake

Divide the cake batter evenly between the two prepared tins. Smooth the tops with a spatula to ensure even baking. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

If you only have one 9 inch tin, pour all the batter in and bake for 20mins, cover with aluminium foil and bake for another 40mins or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Cool and Frost

Once your cakes are done baking, let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

This cooling process is essential as it prevents your frosting from melting when applied to a warm cake. You may need to run a plastic knife around the edges if there is any sticking to release the cake from the tin (using a metal knife will scratch off the non-stick coating).

7. Get Creative with Frosting

Now comes the fun part - decorating your cake! You can go classic with a Classic American Buttercream frosting or experiment with different flavors like cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache, or fruit-infused glazes. Spread a generous layer of frosting on the top of one cake layer, then carefully place the second layer on top. Continue frosting the sides and the top of the cake until it's fully covered.

8. Garnish and Enjoy

The final step is to add any garnishes you like. Sprinkle some chocolate shavings, add fresh berries, or top it off with colorful sprinkles for a festive touch. Slice your creation and savor with a fresh cuppa!

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Tips for Cake Making Success:

1. Measure Accurately: Baking is a science, so precise measurements are important. Use dry measuring cups for dry ingredients and liquid measuring cups for liquids.

2. Room Temperature Matters: Make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature. This results in a smoother batter and better incorporation of ingredients.

3. Don't Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough cake.

4. Keep an Eye on the Oven: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep a close eye on your cake during the last 10mins of baking. Avoid opening the oven door too frequently as it can affect the baking process.

5. Experiment and Have Fun: Don't be afraid to get creative with flavors, fillings, and frostings. Baking is an art, and the possibilities are endless.

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Now that you have a basic understanding of cake baking, grab your apron and head to the kitchen. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first cake isn't a masterpiece. With time and experience, you'll become a caking expert, delighting yourself and others with your delectable creations. Happy baking!