Looking for a fun and delicious way to keep little ones entertained this summer? Try baking together! At Heriots, we believe food brings people together and there’s no better time than the summer holidays to make sweet memories in the kitchen. This simple vanilla sponge cake recipe is perfect for baking with children. It’s easy to follow, uses basic ingredients, and can be decorated with their favourite fruits, sprinkles, or icing. Let them get creative, be prepared for a little mess and a lot of laughter!
Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe for Kids
Makes: 1 round 8-inch cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
Level: Super simple and child-friendly
Ingredients
- 200g unsalted butter, softened
- 200g caster sugar
- 4 medium eggs
- 200g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
- (Optional for decoration): Icing sugar, fresh berries, sprinkles, whipped cream
You’ll Also Need
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or electric mixer
- 8-inch round cake tin (greased and lined with baking paper)
- Cooling rack
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or Gas Mark 4.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (Let the kids take turns mixing!)
- Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix.
- Gently fold in the self-raising flour. If the batter feels too thick, stir in the milk to loosen.
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
- Let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Time to Decorate!
Let the kids get creative by topping their cake with:
- Fresh berries and a dusting of icing sugar
- Whipped cream and sprinkles
- A simple icing (just mix icing sugar with a bit of water or lemon juice)
Tip for Grown-Ups:
Turn this into a mini learning moment by letting children weigh ingredients, crack eggs, and choose decorations; great for developing motor skills and confidence.
Happy baking and happy summer holidays, from all of us at Heriots.
Share your finished cakes with us using #HeriotsSummerBakes
