Easy Vanilla Custard Cake

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour or maida - 1 1/2 cup
• Vanilla custard powder - 1/2 cup
• Milk - 1 cup
• Granulated sugar - 1 cup
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
• Vegetable oil - 1/2 cup
• Butter - 2 tbsp
• Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and position a rack in the center so the cake bakes evenly.
2. 2In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, vanilla extract and vanilla custard powder until smooth and lump-free; this makes a silky custard mixture to hydrate the batter.
3. 3Sift the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and baking soda into a large bowl, then whisk them together so the leaveners are evenly distributed and there are no lumps.
4. 4Melt the butter and let it cool slightly, then add the vegetable oil and the melted butter to the dry ingredients and stir until the mixture looks evenly moistened.
5. 5Gradually pour the custard-and-milk mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients, whisking as you go until the batter is smooth and creamy — scrape the sides so everything is incorporated.
6. 6Line a baking pan with butter paper and grease it, then pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula so it bakes uniformly.
7. 7Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top looks set.
8. 8Let the cake cool for 20 minutes so it firms up a little and is easier to handle.
9. 9Cut the cake into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.