Classic School Cake Recipe
My Easy School Cake recipe is comforting and such a classic. It’s a simple vanilla cake topped with sweet icing and a scattering of some colourful sprinkles. Great to bake with the family too!
Although loved by all (especially kids!) this cake is also a nostalgic one for so many people I’ve baked it for. It brings back memories of childhood – old school lunches, classroom celebrations and bake sales.
The best thing about it? It’s easy to make with some basic baking ingredients and a simple recipe.
Whether you’re baking it for your kids, sharing it with family and friends, or just wanted something sweet then this will be the perfect recipe. Pack into school lunch boxes, share at a party, and enjoy every slice.
Keep reading to find out what you need to make it and the recipe steps too!
What You Will Need
There are a few key ingredients you need to make this cake. For the sponge itself you’ll need:
200g of softened unsalted butter
200g caster sugar
4 medium sized eggs
200g self-raising flour
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of milk
Then, once the cake is baked, to decorate it, you’ll need:
250g of icing sugar
2-3 tablespoons of water (added gradually)
Rainbow sprinkles
For the best results, make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature when you bake with them.
The only other thing you’ll need will be some kitchen equipment. Make sure you have the correct baking tray; a mixing bowl; a pair of kitchen scales; a whisk (electric or hand); and a mixing spoon.
The Recipe Card
You can of course just follow the recipe on this page, but you can also download my recipe card image. This will mean you have a copy of the recipe to use any time, and you can even print it out.
To download it all you have to do is follow these simple steps:
- Click on the recipe card image — this will open a PDF file in a new tab.
- To save the recipe card, simply click the download icon in the top corner of the PDF viewer, or right-click the image and choose “Save as” to download it to your computer or device.
- Once downloaded, you can keep the recipe handy on your device whenever you need it. You can also print it out to have a physical copy in front of you while you bake — perfect for keeping your kitchen mess-free and your recipe within easy reach!
Steps to Make This Easy School Cake
If you bake a lot of cakes this will be a familiar recipe to follow. If you don’t then it’s simple enough for any level of baker to master, young or old!
For your first step, you need to prepare your ingredients and kitchen environment. Importantly, preheat your oven to 375°F (or 180°C/fan 160°C).
You also must prepare your rectangular sized baking tray. Grease and then line it with parchment paper. It’s always good to do this in advance of the batter being ready.
Next, you must cream together the butter and sugar. Either do this with a hand whisk, although this may take some time! Or with an electric mixer. You want to whisk them until the mixture becomes a light colour and fluffy texture. This is a great step for kids to get involved, so definitely get them to give you a hand.
Then, add in your eggs one by one. Make sure to combine each egg before adding the next one.
Then add in your vanilla extract and stir. Smells lovely!
After, fold in your flour with a spoon. You can then add in a little milk, as needed, to loosen the batter a little. It shouldn’t be runny and should be thick enough to drop off of a spoon easily.
Then the batter is ready! Pour the mixture into the baking tray and smooth it so it’s mostly level.
Bake it for around 30 to 35 minutes, or until it’s golden coloured and springy to the touch (careful not to burn any fingers though!). Another good way to tell is the toothpick test – insert a toothpick, if it comes out clean then it’s ready!
Let the cake cool completely. If you try to ice it while it’s still warm then it will just melt off.
In a bowl, mix the icing sugar and water. You want to add the water bit by bit until it’s the right consistency – smooth and pourable, but not so runny that it won’t stay on the cake.
Spread this icing over the cake, and then let loose with the sprinkles! This is definitely a job I leave my daughter in charge of, as it’s her favourite part!
Leave the icing for a little while to set, and then you’re ready to cut a slice and eat it!
Although I always find it tempting to have a slice while it’s still warm, it’s always worth it to wait until you’ve iced the cake. It really takes it to a new level, and even though it’s so simple it’s just so good!
Notes on the Recipe
As I’ve said, this is a great recipe to try with your family. It’s great fun, is simple, and is a great way to introduce them to baking cakes.
This is the basic recipe, but of course you can adjust it to be more your taste. Here are some ideas for how you could change it:
Adjust the vanilla essence amount to your liking.
Feel free to add in any other flavourings you would like, for example the zest of a lemon, lime or orange. The juice works well to make the icing too.
Of course we recommend the classic decoration of sprinkles, but you can decorate in any way you would like really – try making the icing pink! Or blue!
Tasty Recipes for Kids & Families
Looking for a sweet treat to enjoy after a crafting session or printable game marathon? We’ve got you covered! At Mandy’s Printables, it’s not just about fun on paper — it’s about creating happy memories together, and that includes time in the kitchen.
🍫 Try Our Easy Chocolate Brownie Recipe
Soft, fudgy, and super simple to make — perfect for little hands to help and big smiles all around!
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These buttery bites are a family favourite and a great way to introduce kids to baking.
👉 Head to our recipes section to check them out and add a little extra fun (and yum!) to your day.