Step 1: Find a reason to bake a cake.
This should be an easy one. Two of my favourites are: I try to
avoid having to do something that is really important (like
studying for an exam). Or I start betting with some nice girl
that I want to get to know better (the loser has to bake a cake
and invite the winner over for coffee/tea. You can even take on
risky bets, because you don't mind making the cake). Do not
omit this step lightheartedly, the reason is important because
it puts you in the right mood, and the outcome of your cake may
vary widely depending on this.
Step 2: Organise some entertainment for yourself while
being in the kitchen.
This is important too, for it will keep you in the right mood
once you started. If you are a routined baker, you can invite
the already-mentioned girl to come over to your place a little
earlier, so you can chat with her while you are working (and
even better, while it's baking). If this is your first try and
you'd rather not be observed, bring your ghettoblaster and some
of your favourite music. Personally, I prefer both (nice girls
and good music). Watching TV while doing this is not advisable.
You need to look at your hands, so distracting yourself can be
dangerous.
Step 3: Make sure you have the necessary tools.
You need something to prepare the dough in, a scale, a baking
form and an oven that heats up to 175 degrees Celsius.
Step 4: Check that you have the necessary
ingredients.
Although the cake can be varied, there is a basic mixture that
always stays the same (more or less). You will need 250 grams
of flour, 125g of sugar, 125g of margerine or butter, 2 eggs,
baking powder, a sip of milk and a pinch of salt. Sweet (not
salted) butter tastes best, but margerine is softer and easier
to stir.
Step 5: Prepare the basic dough.
Mix the eggs, sugar, butter and pinch of salt real well. Mix
flour and baking powder in an extra bowl. Then add flour and
milk to the egg/sugar/butter bowl and mix it well. You can
double the amounts to make for a large cake. More baking powder
makes the cake grow ("fluffier"), but less firm, less baking
powder makes it sit in the form but more of a satisfying bite.
Now add extras.
Step 6: Add extras, the fun part.
Open all kitchen drawers and throw in whatever you find and
expect to have a cool taste. Anything goes. MandMs, peanut
butter, cocoa powder, pineapple pieces. Just make sure that the
stuff has a strong taste (otherwise the cake will taste
boring). When adding fruit keep in mind that it "sweats" out
moisture, so you may want to add some more flour than usual for
compensation. Some of my favourite combinations are:
-nut/poppy seed: Add 100-200g of ground nuts (hazelnuts or
almonds), 100g of poppy seeds and a good swig of Amaretto.
-banana: Add 2 chopped bananas and some banana sirup (the stuff
also used for cocktails).
-punk: Add lemon/orange aroma and a good swig of Bols Blue
Curacao (makes fancy colors).
If you have found a cool combination please mail it to me.
Step 7: Bake it.
Use some extra butter/margerine to grease the form before you
pour the dough in. Bake 50-60 minutes at 175 degrees Celsius,
depending on dough moisture. Poke it with a wooden stick (like
a large toothpick) to test if it's finished yet. If nothing
sticks to the toothpick, the cake's ok.
Step 8: Let it cool down. Then eat. Mjam!