• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Precious Diary
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work with Me
  • MY PEN SPEAKS
    • Love n Marriage
    • Singles
    • News n Features
    • Faith
    • Parenting
    • Beauty n Style
    • Blogging
  • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • African Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Popular African Foods
    • Cameroonian Food
    • Carrribean Recipes

Precious Core logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Soups and Stews
  • Videos
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Soups and Stews
    • Videos
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Precious Kitchen

    PUBLISHED: Dec 12, 2016 · UPDATED: Jun 12, 2020 by Precious · This post may contain affiliate links · 75 Comments

    PERFECT PLAIN CAKE

    Sharing is caring!

    5.8K shares
    • Share2.8K
    • Yum this
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Here is the perfect Plain Cake for serving as breakfast, brunch, a snack or dessert. So many people have made this plain cake recipe with great success. It is fool-proof!

    This is how my food and nutrition teacher aka home economics madame taught me how to make cake many years ago.

    I have made cake like this umpteen times before I started corrupting my batter with all kinds of flavours and ingredients like coconut, carrot, apple and even pumpkin.

    Today, I am going back to basics. Back to where the cake craze began. Back to the perfect plain cake I have baked with or without an oven.

    plain-cake-ingredients

    Back in the day, I will pour sand into a large pot and heat it up on a three-stone fireside which is the traditional cooking place in Cameroon. That heated sand in a pot was my DIY oven.

    I will then mix my batter and bake my way into stardom. Everyone in our home and including our neighbours will be "campaigning" to eat some.

    After feeding them I will wrap the leftovers and hide far away somewhere to serve my dad after his evening meal, to serve guests or to just enjoy!

    Oh memories!

    Perfect plain cake recipe

    I love this plain cake, as simple and unadorned as it is. It is what my taste buds knew as cake right from. It is slightly airy, sweet but not overwhelmingly sweet. It is perfect!

    This cake pairs well with tea or coffee! It is a great thing to have in your fridge.

    Also, my plain cake needs no frosting. But if you are looking for a good cake base recipe for frosting, check out this Vanilla Sponge Cake!

    Friends, this post and video were supposed to be published last Saturday but I had a crazy busy week and couldn't get them in on time. So sorry about the delay.

    Watch How To Make A Plain Cake

    Plain Cake Ingredients

    The ingredients you need for a plain cake are:

    • Margarine or Butter
    • Sugar
    • Eggs
    • Vanilla Extract
    • Flour
    • Nutmeg
    • Baking Powder
    • Milk

    How To Make A Plain Cake

    There are just 5 simple steps incolved in a makeing a Plain Cake:

    1. Cream together margarine or butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

    2. Add beaten eggs and vanilla extract to the sugar and butter mixture.

    3. Add in flour, baking powder and grated nutmeg and mix until all incorporated.

    4. Finally add in milk and mix until fully incorporated.

    5. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan and bake.

    Simple perfect plain cake in a heart-shaped pan

    Perfect Plain Cake

    A super simple basic cake recipe than even a baking novice can bake!
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 384kcal
    Author: Precious

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose sifted flour (320 grams)
    • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300 grams)
    • 6 eggs
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 10 tablespoons margarine or butter (141 grams)
    • 1 cup liquid milk (250 ml) whole, skim or evaporated
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). Oil a baking pan (8 by 2 inch) and set aside.
    • In a large bowl, mix together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
    • Beat all eggs in another bowl then add to the sugar and margarine mixture, add in vanilla and beat well.
    • Add in half of the flour, the nutmeg and baking powder and mix until well incorporated. Add in the remaining flour and mix well.
    • Finally, add in the milk and mix until evenly distributed in the batter.
    • Pour the batter into prepared cake pan and bake for about 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    This cake pairs well with tea or coffee! It is a great thing to have in your fridge.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 683IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preciouscore or tag #preciouscore!

    Pin this recipe:

    I have baked this plain cake more times than I count and every single time it comes out perfect. This is how my Food and Nutrition teacher taught me how to bake cake in my school days. It is really the perfect plain cake recipe! Get the recipe on preciouscore.com. #baking #desserts #cakes
    pre-signature-pro

    YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

    • Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel BitesCinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
    • AFRICAN FISH IN BATTERAFRICAN FISH IN BATTER
    • 14 YEARS A CHRISTIAN14 YEARS A CHRISTIAN
    • SIX THINGS THIS SUNDAYSIX THINGS THIS SUNDAY

    More Precious Kitchen

    • Nigerian Beef Stew
    • Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting (VIDEO)
    • Baked Turkey Wings
    • 3 Ingredient Biscuits

    Sharing is caring!

    5.8K shares
    • Share2.8K
    • Yum this
    • Email

    About Precious

    Welcome to my core! I am Precious Nkeih, the recipe developer and writer right here on my blog, Precious Core. My goal is to show you insanely delicious recipes you can replicate in your kitchen. And I love to tell stories too. Hope you find recipes here that will make cooking easier for you! Check me out on YouTube at YouTube.com/PreciousKitchen.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Zee says

      December 12, 2016 at 6:43 am

      Thought I was the only one who did food and nutrition back then. Though I'm not crazy for cakes, this is one of my favs. Love it sis

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 12, 2016 at 6:50 am

        Thanks sis!
        I loved Food and Nutrition. Was never bored in that class.

        Reply
      • barb says

        March 07, 2020 at 6:15 am

        Thanks for the recipe and story. It is in the oven right now. There are times I really like a simple cake. When copying the recipe I changed the order of the ingredients listed based on the instructions. Example: first you used butter and sugar, so I listed that first, then eggs and vanilla and so on. Makes all recipes easier to make.

        Reply
    2. Damiloves says

      December 12, 2016 at 7:21 am

      Lol at 'corrupting young batter' I studied food and nutrition too! I loved those days, trying and failing recipes is always so much fun.

      Damiloves blog

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 12, 2016 at 9:35 am

        I totally enjoyed those days, Dami. Couldn't always wait to try what we learned in the lab.

        Reply
      • Joseph D. Wilson says

        April 07, 2022 at 5:39 am

        Thanks for the recipes, but I want to know more about this. What can I do to know more?

        Reply
    3. Bisola says

      December 12, 2016 at 8:31 am

      Yeah! I like plain cakes most times. The icing and all the gooey decorating stuff can be a bit too much sometimes.
      At times, even when I have a party, I would rather buy the plain cake. Tastes amazing and my guests get to eat cake, not half cake, half icing which they throw away most times.
      It's like I am the only one that didn't do Food and Nutrition. Lol.
      Hi dearie! Waves.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 12, 2016 at 9:58 am

        I totally feel you, Bisi.
        I remove the icing from the cake when I go to a party and I'm served cake. It is usually TOO sweet.
        You didn't do Food and Nutrition? What then did you study??? Lol
        Waving back at ya!

        Reply
    4. claudine says

      December 12, 2016 at 8:51 am

      Hey Pre,
      Food & Nutrition was fun, i still have wonderful memories of the cookery lab in QRC Okoyong with Rev Sr Una whipping up lots of amazing recipes. Nice plain cake recipe there. Season greetings oh!!!

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 12, 2016 at 10:01 am

        Hi Claudine,
        Those memories of the cooking lab are priceless!
        Thanks dear and lots of love to you and yours.

        Reply
    5. Kachee says

      December 12, 2016 at 8:07 am

      Ohhh. Home Economics teacher!
      i learnt this method too.. including using the sand on the stove.

      This genuinely made my mouth water even though I'm not a hugeee cake fan. Just maybe I'll make some this Christmas.

      http://www.KacheeTee.com

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 12, 2016 at 9:54 am

        Hahaha, good to know that you learned that epic method too.
        Oh memories!

        Reply
    6. Bola says

      December 12, 2016 at 11:33 am

      I did home economics in my junior secondary classes and we were taught this hot sand method of baking. I had this colourful apron that I use for practical then.
      Me I like butter icing o, I can lick it for Africa. I make this plain cake once in a while and eat it as breakfast with tea.
      I might gather courage to do it again soon.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 12, 2016 at 11:38 am

        Haha I can imagine your colourful apron then. Home economics was so much fun. This cake with tea is it! About to enjoy some now.

        Reply
    7. claudine says

      December 14, 2016 at 5:27 am

      Hey Pre, i need a go to icing recipe
      Tired of always doing butter icing
      Kids need a change this Christmas.
      Take care

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 14, 2016 at 10:06 am

        Cream cheese frosting is great!
        Don't know if you can find cream cheese in pays. Please check the fridge section in super markets and ask shop attendants for it. It is my favourite kind of frosting. Just cream cheese, butter, icing sugar and vanilla extract(optional). The recipe is in the carrot cake post here on the blog. Please use the search bar on the right column and search for "carrot cake".

        Reply
    8. Sophia says

      December 14, 2016 at 1:41 pm

      I love plain cakes, would love to try it. One question: What size pan is that? Can you give me some idea of its volume -- How many measuring cups does it hold? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 14, 2016 at 1:58 pm

        Hi Sophia,
        The pan is 8 by 2 inches and it holds about 8 cups of batter.

        Reply
    9. Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says

      December 14, 2016 at 10:16 pm

      This cake looks really good!

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 16, 2016 at 11:07 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    10. Damilola says

      December 16, 2016 at 4:54 am

      Thanks for the recipe ma. Please, what's 21/2 (half) cup equivalent to in kg or gram

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 16, 2016 at 11:17 am

        320 grams which is about 1/3 of a kilogram.

        Reply
    11. Mo'nique says

      January 28, 2017 at 5:30 am

      Hello dear,
      I just love your recipes ? can u pls convert in ml/kg?
      1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
      10 tablespoons margarine (or butter)
      1 cup liquid milk (whole, skim or evaporated)

      Thanks

      Reply
      • Precious says

        January 28, 2017 at 12:31 pm

        Hi Monique,
        For the sugar you need 300 grams,
        For the butter, 142 grams,
        For the milk, 240 ml.

        Reply
        • Mo'nique says

          January 28, 2017 at 12:33 pm

          Thanks alot. Will definitely try it one of these days.

          Reply
    12. Ashley says

      April 12, 2017 at 5:40 am

      Hi anty pre now DAT I don't have oven but gas how will I do it its my first time lol I want to try
      And for the cup measurement na WC kind cup ehhh
      #afaninneedofurhelp!!!

      Reply
      • Precious says

        April 12, 2017 at 8:33 am

        Hi Ashley, pour sand to about 1/4 of a large pot then heat it up and place your cake pan in the middle of the pot. Cover and bake on your gas cooker. That's the way I used to bake when I had no oven.
        About the cups are you in Cameroon? The short glasses used in selling in the market will work. 1 glass = 1 cup. Please let me know how it goes, dear.

        Reply
    13. Berinyuy Paula says

      May 27, 2017 at 2:54 am

      Waoo that's simple but nice thanks for posting

      Reply
      • Precious says

        May 27, 2017 at 10:37 am

        Glad you love it, Paula!

        Reply
    14. Lydia says

      June 29, 2017 at 7:47 am

      I love cakes so much especially the plain ones but unfortunately i dont know how to make them. Thanks for this recipe i will definitely try it right away.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        September 05, 2017 at 11:46 am

        Oh my, so sorry for the late reply, Lydia! So glad to be able to inspire you to make your own cakes. Enjoy, dear.

        Reply
    15. Gbenebichie Helen B says

      September 05, 2017 at 7:29 am

      Hmm, I also did food and nutrition with an excellent result. I practiced every thing we were thought in school when I got home on holiday. I found baking very interesting too. This recipe is Really nice and traditional. It's my best. Yummy.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        September 05, 2017 at 11:47 am

        Helen, Food and Nutrition was probably my best subject back then. So much fun! Glad you love the recipe.

        Reply
    16. Sally says

      October 06, 2017 at 9:41 am

      I remember those food and nat days lol, aka home economics. Am
      Lucky to have come across this natural recipe... some of the foreign ones are just somekind* lol, with unnecessary ingredients

      Reply
      • Precious says

        October 06, 2017 at 10:12 pm

        Hahaha unnecessary ingredients indeed! Food and nat class was the 'bestest'!

        Reply
    17. Berinyuy says

      November 30, 2017 at 1:18 am

      Love it love it, love it. recipe is good and cake came out well. Thumbs up

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 01, 2017 at 11:45 pm

        So glad to hear that, Beri! Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    18. Wisdom Alfred says

      December 30, 2017 at 8:35 am

      I finally strayed down here 😀. I'll be faithful to make use of this helpful platform. Thank you Preciouscore.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        January 05, 2018 at 12:04 pm

        You are welcome, dear. Please let me know if you try any recipes.

        Reply
    19. Ella says

      March 04, 2018 at 8:44 am

      I made the best plain cake using your recipe...your the best aunty precious.I am not on instagram to send the pics...

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 05, 2018 at 12:18 pm

        I am jumping for joy, dear Ella. I saw the pic you sent by email. Thank you for the feedback!

        Reply
    20. Hilda says

      March 18, 2018 at 8:25 am

      Today I bake well thanks to your kitchen.My cake was not just good but amazing.I wish you will one day do cake crimes!!! Thanks again

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 28, 2018 at 6:16 am

        Oh so glad to hear that, Hilda! Thanks for the feedback.

        Reply
    21. Precilia says

      March 25, 2018 at 11:49 am

      Please wats vanilla extract?

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 28, 2018 at 6:17 am

        It's a liquid flavour mostly sold in small bottles. It is extracted from the vanilla bean, hence the name, vanilla extract.

        Reply
    22. Lezor says

      April 02, 2018 at 10:15 am

      Hello, I tried making cake but my came out too soft. What could have been d cause

      Reply
      • Precious says

        April 06, 2018 at 3:37 pm

        Hi Lezor, it looks like you didn't follow my exact recipe. With my exact measurements and cooking time the cake shouldn't come out soft. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    23. Shella Elio says

      June 08, 2018 at 9:36 am

      Hi Precious you are such a wonderful cook.You make cooking look so smooth and effortless.Thanks to you have started loving to cook more and even challenge myself in the kitchen by trying new things.The smile on my husband's face everytime I present something new makes me wonna do more.
      Today i put aside my fear of baking and baked my first cake ever using your recipe at the age of 30plus.Seriously better late than ever.It was so worth it and delicious.
      Thanks for all you've being doing.You've changed my life as a wife and mother.Kudus👏👏

      Reply
      • Precious says

        November 29, 2018 at 1:10 pm

        Hi Shella,
        My reply is months late - so sorry I missed your comment. Your words warm my heart. So glad my cooking inspires you and makes a difference in your home. Thanks for taking out the time to let me know. Hope you continue to enjoy my recipes.

        Reply
    24. peter says

      July 04, 2018 at 10:47 am

      wow, I tried this out with other two friends, failing was not an option..

      Reply
    25. raylyn says

      September 10, 2018 at 10:17 pm

      Hi Precious,
      This is my first time to bake and I like to try your recipe but I had a question here;
      Is all-purpose flour also call plain flour??

      Reply
      • Precious says

        September 11, 2018 at 8:28 am

        Hi dear, yes all-purpose flour is also called plain flour. Happy baking!

        Reply
    26. Ruth says

      November 06, 2018 at 10:49 am

      Thanks for sharing Mme, what is 10 spoons of butter in grams please? I don't have those measuring spoons you chefs use.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        November 06, 2018 at 11:59 am

        Hi Ruth, that's about 151 grams.

        Reply
    27. La mirage says

      November 26, 2018 at 10:24 am

      Thanks for this Recipe..ive been making the best plain cakes lol...yummy

      Reply
      • Precious says

        November 27, 2018 at 8:38 am

        So happy to hear that! Thanks for the feedback.

        Reply
    28. Rabiatu says

      November 29, 2018 at 11:10 am

      Can I use this recipe for cupcakes please???

      Reply
      • Precious says

        November 29, 2018 at 1:08 pm

        Yes you can but you'll have to bake them for a lesser time. Start watching the cakes around 20 minutes.

        Reply
    29. Amanda says

      April 29, 2020 at 12:29 am

      I am looking so forward to seeing what this is like once finished cooking. It looks beautiful, and it seems like the perfect base recipe for mixing it up with creative additions and substitutions. I am making mine as indicated but without the nutmeg, but with half a carton of rough chopped fresh strawberries and with the milk substituted with half and half so as to make a strawberries and cream cake. The raw batter tastes of muffin batter so that bodes very well for the choice of strawberries to add. The pictures are gorgeous and I cannot wait to taste my finished product!

      Reply
      • Precious says

        April 30, 2020 at 12:22 am

        Please let me know how it turns out! I love your touches on the recipe!

        Reply
    30. Amara says

      April 29, 2020 at 9:41 am

      That was the book my mom used too, can't find it now, she did food and nutrition but i study computer science but love cooking and baking. Guess it's in the blood, my elder sister is a chef too

      Reply
      • Precious says

        April 30, 2020 at 12:20 am

        Oh fun memories!

        Reply
    31. Amanda Greathouse says

      May 02, 2020 at 12:39 am

      It turned out beautifully. The taste was fantastic, though the cake fell, that was more on me than the recipe. I was looking for something to make with a bit of cannabis added, and that necessitated a lower cooking temperature, so it just took so long before it was structurally sound in the middle that it fell. Still, even then, it had a very pineapple upside down cake sort of thick cake texture, and I was so pleasantly surprised at how sweet it was! It seems like so many cakes call for so much sugar, and that is the last thing I'm looking for is more sugar as you know, the whole reason for making it an edible is so it can act as a vehicle for medicine (I have copd, and am trying to avoid smoke). Now, I can't say how the texture would have been without the half and half subbed in for the milk, but with it in there.... it definitely was tasty. I would imagine that cooking it at a proper temperature (or my tired behind using 2-3 of the same pan but with thinner batter across the bottom for 'layers' so that the dough wasn't so deep to cook through) would have been about all that would have been needed to take the cake from good to great. Thank you for putting out a wonderful and relatively low sugar cake recipe. It was the exact perfect amount of sweet, even the parts with no strawberries. Serious props.

      Reply
    32. Carol yenesha says

      October 06, 2020 at 3:02 am

      Wat is nutmeg

      Reply
      • Precious says

        October 07, 2020 at 7:50 am

        Nutmeg is a seed that is fragrant. It adds great flavor to baked goods.

        Reply
    33. Lucy says

      December 03, 2020 at 5:45 am

      Hello mama, Can I reduce the amount of eggs and is there something else I can increase? 6 feels a bit too much for me as I only like eggs hidden in things; like cake. Let me know and thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 04, 2020 at 10:41 am

        Hi Lucy, there should be a way to use less eggs but unfortunately I haven't tested the recipe that way. Maybe you could experiment with less eggs on your own and see how it goes.

        Reply
    34. Ziva Njodzela says

      December 14, 2021 at 9:12 pm

      Good day.
      I usually have the issue when it comes to cake because I have powdered milk. I think it makes the cake dry and I don't like it. Can I put the milk in water before adding?

      Reply
      • Precious says

        December 15, 2021 at 11:18 am

        Hi Ziva yes definitely mix the milk with water before adding. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    35. Judy says

      November 14, 2022 at 5:47 pm

      Tastes like my mother used to make.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        November 18, 2022 at 3:06 pm

        So glad to hear that, Judy! Thank you for the great feedback.

        Reply
    36. jane eunice says

      January 01, 2023 at 12:31 am

      It's my first time baking but I notice I don't know how to measure and I can't tell when the flour is ready for baking

      Reply
      • Precious says

        January 02, 2023 at 9:58 pm

        Hi Jane, the cups I use are standard American measuring cups. They are widely available. Ask for them in the market or in shops that sell kitchen items. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    37. jane eunice says

      January 01, 2023 at 12:34 am

      Pls can u use any other kind of butter apart from jadida to make butter icing

      Reply
      • Precious says

        January 02, 2023 at 9:57 pm

        Hi Jane, yes you could use other brands of butter.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    precious

    Hi, I'm Precious!

    I am a mama with many mouths to feed. I develop recipes and share real-life stories. Here you will find approachable, insanely delicious, family-friendly recipes.

    More about me →

    [do_widget id=simple-social-icons-2]

    Popular Recipes

    • Pan Seared Tilapia
    • Banana Fritters
    • Ginger Drink
    • EGUSI SOUP - NIGERIAN EGUSI SOUP
    • Chicken in White Sauce
    • Chicken Drumsticks in Creamy Sauce

    [do_widget id=enews-ext-1]

    Easy Dinner Recipes

    • Garlic Butter Tilapia
    • Lemon Butter Salmon
    • Garlic Butter Green Beans
    • Pan Seared Boneless Pork Chops
    • Roasted Turkey Thighs
    • Lemon Pepper Turkey Wings

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    IMPORTANT LINKS

    • Home
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
    • Recipe Index
    • Accessibility Policy

    Life

    • Our Family Trip To Austin Texas
    • Family Vacation At Lake Havasu, Arizona

    STAY CONNECTED

    [do_widget id=simple-social-icons-2]

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 PRECIOUS CORE