**The Sweet Art of Baking: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Cake**
### HTML
“`html
The Sweet Art of Baking: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Cake
Why Make a Cake from Scratch?
While store-bought cakes are convenient, they often lack the love and care that goes into making one from scratch. When you bake a cake yourself, you can customize it to your taste preferences, experiment with unique flavor combinations, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating something truly special.
Choosing the Right Ingredients
- Flour: Cake flour is best for cakes, as it has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and tenderness to the cake.
- Eggs: Large eggs provide moisture and structure to the batter.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds flavor and richness to the cake.
- Milk: Whole milk or buttermilk adds moisture and a subtle tanginess.
The Magic of Cake-Making
Now that you have your ingredients, it’s time to get started! Here’s a basic recipe for a classic vanilla cake:
- Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
The Art of Layering
Once your cakes are baked and cooled, it’s time to assemble them into a majestic layer cake. Here’s how:
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
- Spread a thin layer of frosting (we’ll get to that later!) on top of the first cake.
- Add the second cake layer, pressing down gently to ensure it adheres to the first layer.
The Sweet Science of Frosting
Frosting is the crowning glory of any cake! Here’s a simple recipe for a classic buttercream frosting:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Tips for a Flawless Cake
- Don’t overmix the batter, as this can lead to a dense cake.
- Use room temperature ingredients, as this will help the cake bake evenly.
- Don’t open the oven door during the baking time, as this can cause the cake to sink or not rise properly.
“`
### CSS (in style.css file)
“`css
/* Global Styles */
* {
box-sizing: border-box;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
}
body {
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
}
header {
background-color: #333;
color: #fff;
padding: 1em;
text-align: center;
}
h1,
h2 {
margin-bottom: .5em;
}
main {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center;
padding: 2em;
}
section {
background-color: #fff;
padding: 2em;
margin-bottom: 2em;
box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, .1);
}
ul,
ol {
list-style: none;
padding: 0;
margin: 0;
}
li {
margin-bottom: .5em;
}
a {
color: #337ab7;
text-decoration: none;
}
a:hover {
color: #23527c;
}
/* Section Styles */
#why-make-a-cake-from-scratch {
background-color: #f2f2f2;
}
#choosing-the-right-ingredients,
#the-magic-of-cake-making,
#the-art-of-layering,
#the-sweet-science-of-frosting,
#tips-for-a-flawless-cake {
margin-bottom: 4em;
}
/* Footer Styles */
footer {
background-color: #333;
color: #fff;
padding: .5em;
text-align: center;
}
“`
### JavaScript (in script.js file)
“`javascript
// Add event listener to links to open in new tab
const links = document.querySelectorAll(‘a’);
links.forEach(link => {
link.addEventListener(‘click’, e => {
e.preventDefault();
window.open(link.href, ‘_blank’);
});
});
“`
This code creates a basic website with sections for “Why Make a Cake from Scratch?”, “Choosing the Right Ingredients”, “The Magic of Cake-Making”, “The Art of Layering”, and “Tips for a Flawless Cake”. The CSS styles the layout and typography, while the JavaScript adds an event listener to links to open in a new tab.