E x p l o r e t h e w o r l d. B r i n g i t s b e a u t y h o m e.
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E x p l o r e t h e w o r l d. B r i n g i t s b e a u t y h o m e.
Some holiday memories stay with you because of spectacular scenery. Others because of the people you meet.
And occasionally, it’s something as simple as a slice of cake!
During my stay at Nostos Village Holiday Resort on the beautiful Greek island of Skiathos, the breakfast buffet included two cakes.
One reminded me of a wonderfully simple, homemade vanilla cake.
Nothing fancy. Just a soft, golden sponge with that lovely, comforting vanilla flavor.
It was the perfect little treat to enjoy with my morning coffee before heading out to explore the island.
When I returned home, I wanted to recreate it.
After finding this wonderfully straightforward recipe, I realized I’d discovered something remarkably close to the cake I remembered.
And the best part? You don’t need any special baking skills or complicated ingredients.
Just a mixing bowl, a handful of everyday ingredients, and a little patience.
This classic vanilla cake is wonderfully simple to prepare.
Everything goes into one bowl, and the batter takes only about a minute to mix.
The result is a golden, soft cake that’s delicious on its own or with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Preparation: About 10 minutes
Baking: 45–50 minutes
Oven temperature: 180°C (gas mark 4)
Cake pan: 18cm (7in) round
175g (6oz) margarine or softened butter
175g (6oz) caster sugar
3 large eggs
175g (6oz) self-raising flour, sifted
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1. Prepare: Preheat the oven to 180°C (gas mark 4). Grease an 18cm (7in) round cake pan and line the base with parchment paper.
2. Mix: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Beat for about 1 minute until smooth. Avoid overmixing.
3. Bake: Pour into the pan, smooth the top, and bake on the middle rack for 45–50 minutes until golden and risen. The top should spring back when touched, and a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
4. Cool: Rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges, turn onto a wire rack, and cool. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
If your oven consistently runs hot, lowering the temperature slightly to 170°C may give you a more evenly baked cake than simply shortening the baking time. An inexpensive oven thermometer can also help you confirm the actual temperature.
If you’ve run out of self-raising flour, simply combine 175g plain (all-purpose) flour with 2¼ teaspoons of baking powder. Sift together before adding to your cake mixture. Remember to include the additional 1 teaspoon of baking powder listed in the original recipe. That’s 3¼ teaspoons in total when using plain flour.
Margarine works beautifully in this recipe and saves you the trouble of softening butter.
My oven in Hungary tends to bake a little faster than expected, especially at 180°C.
If yours is similarly enthusiastic, start checking your cake at around 35 minutes instead of waiting the full 45 minutes.
Avoid opening the oven unnecessarily during the early stages, though. If the cake hasn’t set, opening the door can cause it to sink.
Look for a golden top that springs back when gently touched. A skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
Every time I bake this cake, it brings back memories of those lovely mornings overlooking the Aegean Sea.
It’s funny how something so simple can remind you of a special place.
And if you’re curious about the resort that inspired this recipe, I’ve shared all the details in my [honest review of Nostos Village Skiathos], including the accommodation, beach, dining, hillside stairs, and a few tips I wish everyone knew before booking.
Sometimes, bringing a little piece of your holiday home is as easy as baking a cake.
Enjoy!
Imagine starting your morning with a slice of soft vanilla cake while looking out over the sparkling Aegean Sea. During my stay in Skiathos, Greece, I discovered a delicious vanilla cake at my resort’s breakfast buffet, and it inspired me to recreate this simple recipe at home.
Skiathos is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush pine forests. You’ll also love exploring the narrow streets of Skiathos Town, enjoying traditional Greek food at waterfront tavernas, and taking boat trips to nearby Skopelos and Alonissos.
Skiathos is a small Greek island in the northern Sporades, in the northwest Aegean Sea, just off mainland Greece and west of Skopelos. You can fly into Skiathos International Airport (JSI), with flights from Athens taking around 40–45 minutes and direct flights from several European cities during summer. Alternatively, take a ferry from Volos or Mantoudi, with journeys generally taking around 1½–3 hours, depending on the route and ferry.
Don’t miss my Skiathos travel guide, with practical travel tips.
I also gave an honest review of my stay at Nostos Village (Skiathos Blu) Holiday Resort.
Come along and explore beautiful Skiathos through my own travel footage. From the sparkling Aegean Sea to the island’s gorgeous coastal scenery, this video captures some of the moments that made my Greek getaway so memorable.
Explore the world. Bring its beauty home. – Arina ♡
