Overview of Baking a Simple Cake
Baking a simple cake requires basic ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and baking powder, combined through mixing and baking in an oven. The process converts these into a light, fluffy dessert via chemical reactions that produce carbon dioxide for rising. A standard recipe yields an 8-inch cake suitable for 8-10 servings.
Key Ingredients and Their Roles
Flour provides structure, sugar adds sweetness and tenderness, eggs bind and add moisture, butter contributes flavor and richness, and baking powder acts as a leavening agent to help the cake rise. Accurate measurements are crucial to balance these components, ensuring the batter achieves the right consistency—neither too thick nor too thin.
Step-by-Step Baking Process
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch round pan. Cream 1/2 cup butter with 1 cup sugar until fluffy, then beat in 2 eggs one at a time. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Alternate adding dry ingredients and 1/2 cup milk to the wet mixture, stirring gently. Pour into the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Importance and Practical Applications
Learning to bake a simple cake builds foundational cooking skills, applicable in home economics education and everyday meal preparation. It introduces principles of chemistry, such as emulsification and leavening, and can be adapted for variations like adding chocolate or fruit, making it a versatile starting point for more complex recipes.