How to rescue a cake that's turned out badly

If your cake has turned out badly, disguise the damage as follows:

• If the cake breaks up, it’s easy to stick the pieces back together with jam. Then cover with icing or jam sprinkled with shredded coconut.

• If the cake sinks in the middle, cut it out and turn the cake into a ring cake. Cover with whipped cream and fill the cavity with fruit.

• If a sponge comes out flat, cut it into fancy shapes, sandwich them together with cream and dust with icing (confectioners’) sugar.

• For a slightly burnt cake, slice off the top and shave the sides with a potato peeler. Coat with warm, sieved jam and cover with icing.

How to cook the perfect cake