I have a secret confession to make. I have (whisper it) yet to bake a cake. But now I have no excuse. Presenting 20 sublime, simple recipes to make you and me into a Prue or Paul. We have the buttercream of the cake-baking world: Jeremy Lee, Yotam Ottolenghi, Benjamina Ebuehi. There’s Meera Sodha’s salted miso brownies, Nigella Lawson’s birthday custard sponge, Anna Jones’s cardamom and carrot cake. There are cupcakes, sheet bakes, strawberry and cream cakes. And they are all, honestly, easy. I might have to buy an apron. It’s nearly time for tea. Ready. Steady. Bake!
Kate’s rye chocolate cupcakes with orange frosting by Luminary Bakery
These citrussy little bakes are perfect for any special occasion.
Yoghurt, almond and honey cake by Jeremy Lee
Zesty and wonderfully simple to create – try serving it as a pud with rhubarb and custard.
Nigel Slater’s orange and poppy seed cakes
Syrup-sweet and golden little cakes, with citrus overtones, to cheer any afternoon tea break.
Mango mithai cake by Tarunima Sinha
A fresh and summery bake, inspired by the aromatic flavours of Indian sweets.
Coconut sheet cake by Edd Kimber
This simplest of traybakes, packing a coconut punch, really delivers on the comfort-food front.
Rachel Roddy’s ciambellone di ricotta e limon – ricotta and lemon ring cake
The ricotta gives this hassle-free bake a moist, creamy depth, complemented by mood-lifting lemon.
Tahini cake with lemon and white chocolate by Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich
A fudgy, sweet and salty showstopper to add the wow factor to any party table.
Ravneet Gill’s simple banana cake
A versatile recipe that makes a moist teatime loaf but works equally well as a mini cake.
Strawberries and cream cake by Helen Goh
A cake full of the flavours of a summer afternoon tea, rounded off by a rich, almondy kick.
Cardamom and carrot cakes with maple icing by Anna Jones
Little crowdpleasers, easily adapted to suit all diets, these are super-moist and packed with goodness.
Speedy apple cake by Anja Dunk
Richly infused with the author’s childhood memories, this simple and fruity pound cake is an everyday treat.
Diana Henry’s espresso loaf cake with burnt butter and coffee icing
A caffeine-rich loaf, simply embellished with icing and a scattering of walnuts – just add a cup of tea.
Almond cinnamon cake with Irish cream by Benjamina Ebuehi
No need to stress over decorating this bake – let a bundt tin do the work. Just add a dollop of boozy cream before eating.
Nigella Lawson’s birthday custard sponge
The decorating is as easy as the baking in this custard-flavoured celebration cake.
Yotam Ottolenghi’s hazelnut, peach and raspberry cake
This cake, packing a punch with ground hazelnuts, works warm or cool – and it’s best eaten within a day.
Meera Sodha’s salted miso brownies
The miso gives this dense, fudgy and chocolately traybake classic its extra oomph.
Retro-fantastic pineapple upside-down cake by Rukmini Iyer
A blast from the past for those who remember the 70s – and a fruity, spongey treat for newcomers to the bake.
Jam sheet cake for outside by Claire Ptak
Another retro traybake, its jam liberally dusted with coconut and served from the tin, makes an ideal ending to a picnic.
Stout and chocolate cake with toasted oats by Claire Thomson
Chocolate cake is always a great pick-me-up – and one with stout as a main ingredient is even better.
Margot Henderson’s rich dark ginger cake
Warm and welcoming, this sticky, spicy treat works will cheer any cold walker after a long stretch outside.
