Serves 12

175g (6 oz) margarine.
175g (6 oz) caster sugar.
3 eggs, size 3.
175g (6 oz) self-raising flour.
Butter icing of your choice.

(1) Heat oven to 180C, 350F, gas mark 4. Grease an 18cm (7inch) cake tin or two 18cm (7inch) sandwich tins.

(2) Cream margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time adding a little flour with each.

(3) Gently fold in the rest of the flour.

(4) Place in prepared tin and bake for 20 - 25 minutes in the two tins, 40 - 45 minutes in the one tin.

(5) Decorate as required..

Variations

CHOCOLATE GATEAU

Substitute, 25g (1oz) of cocoa powder for 25g (1oz) flour, then make as basic recipe. Fill and coat with chocolate butter cream.

COFFEE GATEAU

add 1x5ml spoon (1tsp) coffee essence or dissolved instant coffee to the basic recipe. Fill and coat with coffee butter cream.