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Home / Blog / What Is School Cake Called?: A Nostalgic Favorite

What Is School Cake Called?: A Nostalgic Favorite

Last Update: October 11, 2025 · Sophia Cucina · Leave a Comment

What is school cake called – honestly, it’s one of those questions that hits different when you’re scrolling through childhood memories at 2am, right? That sprinkle-topped square of pure happiness… god, just thinking about it makes me want to raid the pantry! For anyone who grew up in UK schools, this traybake (or whatever your nan called it) is basically time travel in dessert form. My husband keeps calling it “that sprinkle thing” which – no. It’s so much more than that, like way more.

Overhead shot of a freshly baked school cake with white icing, a slice cut out, and sprinkles on a wooden table. PIN IT

Maybe you’ve heard people mention Tottenham cake? Similar vibe, different outfit – but we’ll get to that. First though, let’s unpack why this humble cake lives rent-free in so many hearts.

Historical Context – Origins of School Cake

So here’s the thing about school cake history – it’s beautifully mundane, in the best way possible. Back when British school canteens were figuring out how to feed hundreds of kids without breaking the budget (imagine that logistical nightmare), someone brilliant realized: simple sponge, basic icing, done. No fancy ingredients that cost a fortune, no complicated techniques requiring trained pastry chefs… just honest-to-goodness cake that kids would actually eat. And boy, did they eat it!

The genius was in the simplicity, honestly – families could replicate it at home with whatever was in the cupboard, which made it feel even more special somehow? Like it belonged to everyone.

Why is it Called a School Cake?

This one’s pretty self-explanatory (thankfully). It got dubbed “school cake” because that’s literally where it lived – in UK school dinner halls, served alongside custard or on its own. The name stuck because… well, where else would you eat this specific cake? The label itself became part of the memory, connecting taste to place to feeling. Nostalgia is powerful stuff.

Variations and Types

Is School Cake the Same as Tottenham Cake?

Okay so – this confuses people constantly! Tottenham cake (named after the North London area, obviously) is like school cake’s cooler, slightly overdressed cousin. Same sponge foundation, totally different aesthetic. Tottenham cake traditionally rocks this bright PINK icing – originally made with mulberries apparently, which sounds amazing – and gets showered with coconut instead of rainbow sprinkles. It’s fancier but somehow less nostalgic? Different vibes entirely.

Different Names for School Cake Across Regions

“School cake” dominates, but depending on your postcode you might’ve called it “dinner cake” or just “traybake” – which is hilariously literal. These regional variations are kind of adorable, showing how deeply embedded this cake is in local food culture across Britain.

What is the Small Cake Called?

If we’re talking mini versions? Fairy cakes or cupcakes fit the bill – just bake the same batter in cupcake tins and voilà! Individual portions perfect for parties (or eating three in one sitting, no judgment here).

Ingredients and Recipe

Right, let’s actually MAKE this thing! Understanding what are the 5 main ingredients in cake helps demystify any recipe, by the way. This school cake recipe is ridiculously straightforward – even if baking normally intimidates you.

 

Countertop display of school cake items, including flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and baking powder, with mixing tools. PIN IT

Classic School Cake Recipe

Items:

  • 225g plain flour
  • 225g caster sugar (regular sugar works fine too)
  • 225g butter or margarine, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Icing: 200g icing sugar, water, rainbow sprinkles

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch tin – seriously, don’t skip the lining or you’ll hate yourself later.
  2. Whisk flour and baking powder together. Set aside.
  3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy (takes a few minutes, be patient).
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. If it looks weird/curdled, add a spoon of flour with the last egg.
  5. Fold in half the flour, then milk, then remaining flour – GENTLY. Overmixing = dense cake, and nobody wants that.
  6. Pour into tin, bake 20-25 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean.
  7. Cool in tin 10 minutes, then on a wire rack completely. DO NOT ice while warm!
  8. Mix icing sugar with water gradually until thick but spreadable.
  9. Spread icing, immediately add sprinkles. Let set, then slice.

Nutritional Content

NutrientAmount (approx.)
Calories380-420 kcal
Fat20-22 g
Carbohydrates45-50 g
Protein5-7 g

Image of hands mixing school cake batter in a bowl with a wooden spoon, in a bright kitchen. PIN IT

 

Modern Variations of School Cake

Need gluten-free? Swap for GF flour blend with xanthan gum. Going vegan? Plant butter, plant milk, flax eggs – done. Add vanilla extract, lemon zest, even cinnamon if you’re feeling adventurous. The butter vs margarine debate? Use whatever – butter tastes richer, margarine makes it lighter. Check out does Mary Berry use butter or margarine? for pro insights!

A slice of school cake on a colorful plate, served with a cup of tea or coffee on a checkered tablecloth. PIN IT

Cultural Impact

School cake isn’t just food – it’s baked nostalgia! It connects people to shared childhood memories in this weirdly powerful way. With home baking trending everywhere (especially post-2020), it’s having a moment on social media too. And while it’s quintessentially British, lots of cultures have similar simple sheet cakes – American Texas Sheet Cake, anyone? Shows the universal appeal of uncomplicated, crowd-pleasing desserts.

FAQs

Why is it called a school cake?

Because it was THE dessert in UK school cafeterias for decades! Simple, cheap to make in bulk, and kids loved it. That school cake recipe was perfect for feeding crowds of hungry students.
 

Why is it called a Tottenham cake?

Originated in Tottenham, North London – supposedly a local baker created the signature pink icing using mulberries, and it became a regional specialty.
 

Is Tottenham cake the same as school cake?

Similar base, different style! School cake has white icing and rainbow sprinkles; Tottenham cake rocks bright pink icing and coconut topping.
 

What is the small cake called?

Cupcakes or fairy cakes! Just bake school cake batter in cupcake tins for individual servings.
 

So there it is – everything about what school cake is called and why it matters. We’ve covered its origins, compared it to Tottenham cake, and even tackled a recipe! This isn’t just dessert; it’s nostalgia wrapped in icing and sprinkles, connecting us to simpler times when the biggest decision was whether to swap your slice for a chocolate biscuit. Now go bake some memories!

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