Cake

By Chef Shilarna Vaze (Chinu)

From Firangi Tadka

Prep: 60 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Method: Moderate

Course: Dessert

Type: British

Key Ingredients:

Cake is a sweet preparation made from dry ingredients and leavening agents that cause it to rise when cooked in dry heat.

Short History: The English word ‘Cake’ is derived from the Nordic word ‘kaka’, that Medieval European bakers often baked. It was only in the middle of the 19th century that the precursors to the Cakes we have today, with refined flour and baking powder emerged. There are so many varieties of Cake available now. There is sponge Cake, babka, tea Cakes, muffins, rolls and so many other varieties in other parts of the world. Rava Cake is made of semolina and has a similar counterpart in Egypt called Basbousa..

What is Cake: Cake is a sweet preparation made from dry ingredients and leavening agents that cause it to rise when cooked in dry heat..

Top ways to prepare: Cake is primarily baked in an oven. However, one can also bake cakes, in an airfryer, pan or pressure cooker or any such apparatus that traps the heat from all sides. When using a pressure cooker, place the baking tin on a stand. The cake tin should not be in direct contact with the heat..

Cooking Tips: When baking a Cake, always use fresh ingredients. Always measure the ingredients properly. Temperature of the ingredients, as also preheating the oven to the specified temperatures for the specified time duration are important factors. Lightly fold in the ingredients for a Cake recipe and never over- or under-mix. Avoid over mixing or mixing at a very high speed. Lining with parchment paper or proper greasing of the tray followed by dusting it is a must. Do not open the oven many times to check if the Cake is done. Finally, allow the Cake to cool completely..

Serving Suggestion : A Cake is a sweet baked preparation that can be had as dessert after meals and needs no accompaniment. However at birthday parties, chips, samosa, and cold drinks are served with Cake..

Ingredients

Refined flour (All Purpose Flour) 1½ cups
Cinnamon powder 1 ½ tsps
Egg 1
Buttermilk 1 cup
Melted butter 5 tbsps
Baking soda ½ tsp
Baking powder 1 ½ tsps
Salt ¼ tsp
Sugar ½ cup

Methods

Preheat the oven to 200° C.
Grease a Cake tin and keep aside.
In a bowl, beat the egg, melted butter, and buttermilk until smooth.
In another bowl, dry mix refined flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar and cinnamon powder.
To this dry mixture, add the egg mixture till it becomes a smooth creamy mixture.
Pour the mixture into the greased tin and spread evenly. Tap the tin so that the batter settles smoothly and there are no air bubbles.
Bake the cake for 20 minutes.
Let the Cake cool gradually and completely.
Let it cool to room temperature and then demould.
Cut and serve with coffee.