School Cake

For those of you who don’t know, I’m a student teacher! I’ve just finished my placement for this year, and seeing the school lunches had me craving some classic “school cake”. If you’re not from the UK this one might be a bit lost on you, but it’s essentially a vanilla sponge cake with glacé icing and sprinkles.

It’s such a nostalgic treat for anyone who went to a British primary school in the last 30 years or so, and I’ve enjoyed making it so much I’m tempted to try my hand at some other classic recipes too, so please let me know your favourites!

Jump to recipe

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Icing

The decoration of this one is what makes it so iconic. We use glacé icing for this cake, but you want to make sure it’s thick enough that it sets and doesn’t spill over the edges. I use boiling water with my icing sugar as I find it helps to melt the sugar completely and stops you from getting lumpy icing!

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Recipe:

1. Preheat your oven to 175c Fan and line a square tray with baking paper

2. Cream together your butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy

3. Add your eggs and mix them in

4. Add your flour and vanilla extract and mix these in until they’re fully incorporated

5. Add your mixture to your lined tin and pop it in the oven for 35-40 minutes

6. Remove your cake from the oven and leave it to cool

7. In a separate bowl, add your icing sugar and then add your boiling water in small increments, mixing as you go

8. Your icing should be thick and smooth, and should slowly fall off your spoon when poured

9. Spread a thick layer of your icing over the top of your cake, then top it with sprinkles before it has chance to set

10. Cut into squares and serve

This cake will last about 4 days in a sealed container