Bake a Cake for a Party

What can we use instead of eggs, milk, or butter if we don't have them?

If you don't have eggs, use 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana per egg and in the step that says "Measure and add 2 eggs; 1/2 cup milk; 1/4 cup melted butter or oil; and 1 teaspoon vanilla," replace milk with plant milk and use oil instead of melted butter.

The batter looks lumpy or the cake sank — what did we do wrong and how can we fix it?

If the batter is lumpy, make sure you properly "Whisk the dry ingredients until they are evenly mixed" and "Whisk the wet ingredients until they are smooth" before combining, and if the cake sank check that you measured the 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder correctly, avoided opening the oven during the 25–30 minute bake, and test doneness with a toothpick, adding a few minutes if needed.

How can we adapt this activity for younger or older kids?

For preschoolers let them help with safe tasks like gathering materials and decorating the cooled cake while an adult preheats the oven and handles oven steps, for early elementary kids involve them in measuring and whisking with supervision, and for teens let them follow every step themselves and only ask an adult to place and remove the pan from the oven.

How can we make the cake more special or creative before sharing it on DIY.org?

To personalize the final "Spread frosting on the cooled cake and decorate with sprinkles or toppings" step, fold 2 tablespoons cocoa into the batter for chocolate cake, add a layer of jam or fresh berries between two pans for a layered cake, tint the frosting with food coloring, or pipe designs with a zip-top bag before adding sprinkles.