This article shares a straightforward and comforting home-baking recipe for a vanilla cake topped with apricot jam and desiccated coconut.It is designed to be easy to follow, using basic pantry ingredients commonly found in most households.

The cake requires 250g of butter or margarine, 1½ cups of sugar, 4 eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence, a pinch of salt, 2½ cups of flour, ½ cup of Maizena (cornflour), 4 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1 cup of milk.To prepare the cake, the butter and sugar are first beaten together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, forming the base for a soft texture.The eggs are then added one at a time, ensuring they are well incorporated into the mixture.The dry ingredients are combined separately and then added alternately with the milk, helping to maintain a smooth and balanced batter consistency.Once the batter is ready, it is baked in a preheated oven at 180°C for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cake is fully cooked and golden.After baking, the cake is left to cool completely to ensure the topping spreads evenly without melting into the sponge.The final step involves spreading a layer of warm apricot jam over the cooled cake, which adds a fruity sweetness and slight tang.The cake is then finished with a generous sprinkling of desiccated coconut, giving it texture and a subtle tropical flavour.This simple dessert is ideal for everyday enjoyment or casual gatherings.