If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Have Baked A Cake...

This may come as a massive shock considering my love for cake but I haven't baked one myself since around the age of 8? That's what...? Nearly 15 years!!! Jeez Louise.

Well today is the other half's birthday and since he's now on a baking kick because he'll be doing a bake sale next month to help raise more money for his 1000km Challenge I felt very much inspired to bake one myself.  That, and last time I ate a shop bought cake my skin flared (still can't pinpoint the allergen though)  so I thought it would be the best option, not to mention cheaper!


  I decided, that since I'm technically a learner I'd just cheat with a ready mix where all you need is to add an egg and a few tablespoons of water. Simple right? Wrong. The cake tins we have are much bigger than what was stated so I found myself in a bit of a flap. In a rare moment of genius I decided to make up a white based mixture and make a slightly bodged marble cake. Using the 4, 4, 4 method.
  The best bit has to be licking the bowls. I did end up with a bit too much mixture overall so a lot of it ended up in my belly. Oops.
  Fresh out of the oven and it wasn't a complete disaster yay :D they were indeed cooked in the middle! 
  I also remembered that we don't have cooling racks (must rectify this) so I used the grill tray and just put some kitchen roll on a plate. You can kinda see the marbleyness (yep, new word right there!) The one on the left did end up a little bit bodged because it didn't quite reach the side of the cake tin but nevermind!
  I forgot to take a picture of the frosting in the middle so here it is sandwiched together. Looks lush!
  Messy, messy, messy but indeed yummy. I also ended up eating rather a lot of this too... don't judge me. It was also at this point that I realised how much better the cake would have looked were it centrally on the plate. Oh well.
Let me bring you to the finished piece. Can I have a drum roll please?


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Ta-da!!! I don't even care that it looks a mess, I'm just pleased as punch that it resembles a cake, and even a NICE cake at that! The Christmas decoration was an essential component into making this cake for the other half. He is a penguin fanatic.