My new favorite cake has a judgy name ... tortes or fancy nut dacquoises. It was so plain it verged on homely: a flat wedge with a speckled brown top, unevenly blackened.

This chocolate marble pound cake is impressively swirled but simple to make ... then a layer of chocolate, and a final plain layer on top. The batters are thick enough not to bleed into one ...

Children and adults love to make this easy yoghurt cake. See the 'Top Tip' for how to skip the ... 2 measures caster sugar and 3 measures plain flour.

An easy cherry ... the cake is golden-brown, well-risen and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. If the cake is browning too quickly loosely cover the top with a sheet ...

1. Set the oven at 350 degrees. Very lightly oil a 9-inch-by-5-inch loaf pan. Line the pan with parchment paper, pressing it ...