Cakes are one of the most popular types of snack. People all over the world enjoy these desserts. A cake is usually made by combining sugar, flour and additional ingredients. The mixture is then baked in an oven. The history of cakes is linked to that of bread. Early examples of the snack were actually sweeter versions of bread.

Cakes have such wide appeal due to their versatility. There are so many different cake possibilities when it comes to making one. These range from very simple concoctions that can be prepared in mere minutes to elaborate creations. Some cakes are hybrids that share features with pies and pastries.

Ingredients

These desserts are usually made with a leavening agent to help them develop the right shape and consistency in the oven. Common ones include baking soda and baking powder. Fruit, nuts, chocolate or different extracts may be mixed in to give the cake a distinctive taste. Once they have been removed from the oven the cake can be decorated with icing, fruit preserves or sweets.

It is also popular to fill cakes with sauces, jams and custards. Since there are so many options when making a cake it can be difficult to know where to start. Sites such as the BBC offer recipes for this kind of confectionary. Reading them will help people decide which variation of cake seems most appealing. It may be a good idea to consider what occasion the cake is celebrating. There are special cake types for Christmas, weddings and birthdays. Sometimes this food has a deep ceremonial significance. The taste is less important than the act of cutting it.

Sponge Cake

These are made by combining whipped eggs with flour and sugar. Traditional ones only use the eggs as a leavening agent. This is thought to be one of the oldest known cake types that does not utilise yeast. It is sometimes also called foam cake. The name comes from the texture caused by trapped air within the egg protein.

Coffee Cake

Fans of caffeine are sure to love this particular variant. As the name suggests this is a cake that has been flavoured with coffee. It is not to be confused with a dessert meant to be served with coffee. It will tend to be made from two round layers. In the middle is a form of coffee icing. The tops are commonly decorated with walnuts.

Chocolate Cake

This is by far one of the most universally eaten cake types. This is due to the fact that cocoa has such a popular taste. People from many different cultural backgrounds appreciate chocolate cakes. In its standard form it is a layer cake with cocoa icing. Black Forest gateau is a fruit-filled alternative.