New to baking - please help

[jamesdeen]

Hello,

I am not a pro, I just make a few dishes at home. This is my first post here.
I have never baked a cake before , and thought I would try it.
I live alone, so I have only bought a small cake tin, but no I realise that it is a loaf tin. It's a 1lb loaf tin.
I am looking for a recipe for a basic chocolate sponge cake, but everything I have found so far calls for much bigger tins, and therefore too much ingredients for me.
Can anyone help me by providing a recipe appropriate for a small tin?

Thanks

[ShoeMaker]

Originally Posted by jamesdeen

Hello,

I am not a pro, I just make a few dishes at home. This is my first post here.
I have never baked a cake before , and thought I would try it.
I live alone, so I have only bought a small cake tin, but no I realise that it is a loaf tin. It's a 1lb loaf tin.
I am looking for a recipe for a basic chocolate sponge cake, but everything I have found so far calls for much bigger tins, and therefore too much ingredients for me.
Can anyone help me by providing a recipe appropriate for a small tin?

Thanks

Hey, james....you could just perhaps cut the recipe in half (more or less, depending on the yield of your recipe). I don't bake at home very often, as I spend 8 - 12 hours a day, 5 - 6 days a week, baking for a restaurant, so my recipes are generally for large quantities (serving 40 to 120 people, generally). Perhaps post your recipe and I'd have somewhat of an idea how much to scale it back....or you could buy another pan or two - if you intend to do some home baking, you'll want an assortment of pans of different sizes/types eventually, if really you get into it.
Good luck
- ShoeM

[BakeAholic]

Since your a beginner maybe you should try to find sites that have recipes that don't call for too may ingredients. I use Kraft Foods - Great Recipes and Food Ideas to get my baking recipes because they are quick and simple. I use to try those thick cookbooks when I first started out but I would get intimidated and wouldn't try any of the recipes. Just start small and get yourself a few more baking supplies.

[Harpua]

Allrecipes.com is good because the recipes are shared for members. I'm sure you could find a recipe for chocolate quick bread or something on a small scale. They have a bunch of good recipes; always check the reviews to see if the recipes are screwed up.

[bosslady]

Hey James!

I have been a pastry chef for years and make wedding cakes from home. I definitely second ShoeMaker's suggestion. Cutting the recipe in half would do the trick. Also, you may want to bake a second loaf to give to someone at the office or perhaps a neighbor. I have made several close friends this way...you can never have too many!