Old school cake

Step by Step

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180˚C, gas mark 4; grease a 33cm x 22cm cake tin. Cut a long strip of baking parchment the width of the tin and use to line the base and the shorter ends with plenty of overhang.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, use electric beaters to cream together the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and eggs, then gently add the flour, baking powder and salt until just combined. Stir in the milk until combined; tip into the cake tin. Level the top; bake for 25 minutes until golden and risen. Set aside to cool in the tin.

Step 3

Use the overhang to lift the cooled caked from the tin. For the topping, sift the icing sugar into a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the vanilla and 2 tbsp milk into the well, gradually drawing the sugar into the liquid until you have a smooth icing. Check the consistency, adding more milk a drop at a time until you can drizzle it over the cake and spread out evenly with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with the 100s & 1000s, allow to set for at least 5 minutes, then slice into squares when ready to serve.