Birthday Custard Cake

Now, this has to be one of my favourite cakes, but I’m still not quite sure what it is about it that makes it quite so special. Featured in Nigella Lawson’s Feast, it’s not a fancy cake – more one of those cakes that just puts a smile on your face. It doesn’t even noticeably taste of custard, the inclusion just adds a deep vanilla flavour and gives the sponge that warm yellow colour reminiscent of the cakes you remember from childhood. If I had to draw a birthday cake, I’d draw one just like this! 

With it’s high cornflour content, the custard powder gives the sponge a firm, dry crumb that makes it quite robust, great if you need to transport it. Even the butter cream is custard infused, but I still maintain that if you didn’t know what was in it, custard would be the last thing you guessed. It’s very easy to make too, perfect for novice bakers as it follows the all-in-one method. Basically, just chuck it all in a processor or mixture and blitz until it forms a smooth batter.

I also love how easy this cake is to decorate; as with most Nigella creations, it’s minimum effort for maximum effect. It’s covered in a glossy chocolate icing, which drips decadently down the side of the cake and puddles around the base. It’s then dotted with hundreds and thousands (although I’ve used chocolate covered beans in the photo for a more stylised polka dot finish), just special enough to be pronged with birthday candles!