Baking · serves 2

Angel Layer Cake

Three coloured layers baked side by side in one tin. Looks like three cakes, is one.

50 min A proper cook Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 355g plain flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 tbsp sugar
  • 300ml condensed milk
  • 210ml water
  • 2 tbsp white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 110g butter, melted
  • Pink and yellow food colouring
  • Icing: 55g butter, 115g icing sugar, 1 tbsp milk

Method

  1. Line a 23x33cm tin, then fold a long strip of baking paper into three walls about 10cm apart. Each channel takes one colour, so you get three layers from one bake.
  2. Sift flour, baking powder, soda, salt and sugar together.
  3. Whisk condensed milk, water, vinegar, vanilla and melted butter separately.
  4. Well in the dry, wet poured in, whisk to a smooth batter.
  5. Split into three bowls — yellow, pink, plain.
  6. One colour per channel. 180°C for 30 minutes, toothpick clean.
  7. Cool completely, trim to matching sizes, then stack with buttercream between. Trimming warm cake tears it.

Questions people ask about Angel Layer Cake

How long does Angel Layer Cake take?

About 50 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of maida in Angel Layer Cake?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Angel Layer Cake ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Angel Layer Cake vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for Angel Layer Cake?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Angel Layer Cake?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

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