How Difficult Is It to Bake a Cake from Scratch?

Baking a cake from scratch is undoubtedly gratifying, especially when you see the joyful reactions from those who enjoy it. Whether it's a sponge buttercream or a traditional apple sauce cake, the process can be surprisingly simple and rewarding.

Effort and Cost of Baking a Cake

The effort required for a perfect cake isn't as daunting as it might seem. For instance, preparing and assembling a cake can take around 2-3 hours. Costs involved are relatively low, often under PHP 250 per piece. Once completed and decorated with bells and whistles, it can fetch between PHP 800 to PHP 1200 per piece.

Easy as Pie: Anne Byrns 1917 Apple Sauce Cake

For those who want to experience a classic kitchen adventure, here is a recipe from 1917 that anyone can follow. No raisins are mentioned in the original recipe, but with a few modifications, the cake came out perfectly fine.

Ingredients

1 cup sugar 2 Tbsp butter, plus some for the pan 1 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 Tbsp 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp nutmeg 2/3 cup raisins (optional)

Instructions

Allow the butter to come to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat the inside of an 8x8-inch baking dish with butter. In a large bowl, cream together 2 Tbsp of butter and the sugar using a hand mixer or a wooden spoon. Add the applesauce and stir to combine. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and nutmeg until well combined. Pour the flour mixture into the applesauce mixture and stir just until combined. In a separate small bowl, toss the raisins with about 1 Tbsp flour until they are lightly coated. Fold the flour-coated raisins into the cake batter. Spread the cake batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes or until the center springs back when pressed. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes before slicing into 9 pieces.

Conclusion

While baking a cake from scratch can be a bit more challenging for beginners, it is well within reach for anyone willing to follow a simple recipe. As evidenced by the enthusiastic reactions and the willingness of others to order such cakes, the effort is well worth it.

If you make it, share your experience and photos with us in the comments below! And if you don't bake, don't worry, the process can still be enjoyable and rewarding.