Recipes

Madeira Cake
Ingredients / 400g sugar / 400g butter / 450 plain flour / 7 eggs / 50ml Milk / 2 teaspoons vanilla essence

Preparation method
1. Preheat oven to 180 C / Gas mark 4.
2. Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add in eggs and vanilla gradually until combined. Sift in flour. Add milk until loose - but not runny!
3. Pour batter into a greased 20cm (8 in) baking tin and bake for about 20 to 30 minutes, until it is golden and firm in the centre.

A basic sponge recipe
150g butter, softened / 150g caster sugar / 150g self-raising flour / 3 medium eggs / 2tbsp milk / Few drops of vanilla extract

Preparation method
1. Set the oven to gas mark 5 or 190°C.
2. Place all the ingredients in a bowl and beat until smooth.
3. Bake in the centre of the oven for 18-23 mins, or until the cake has risen and is just firm to the touch in the centre.
4. Remove cake from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool