Last updated on October 15th, 2024
My mom gave me this recipe the other day and for some silly reason (I have no idea why) I didn’t follow the recipe exactly – I used 7 eggs instead of 8, I used milk instead of boiling water and I rounded up the flour to 4 cups. The result was still yummy but it was a very dense cake, not light and spongy at all and I had to cook it for close to an hour. My lesson, follow the recipe!!! So here it is the recipe that you should follow, don’t deviate from it guys – I’ve written the quantities in the easiest way to measure. The cake serves 25-30 people easily and probably even more if you cut smaller squares. Perfect for kids school birthday rings or large functions or celebrations. Enjoy 🙂
Beer Box Cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 25 - 30 slices 1x
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Pin RecipeDescription
A fabulous recipe for a cake to feed many! Perfect for birthdays or celebrations.
Ingredients
- 8 eggs
- 4 cups castor sugar
- 2 cups boiling water
- 150ml sunflower oil
- 3 teaspoons vanilla essence
- 3 ½ cups cake flour, sifted
- 3 TBS baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C.
- Staple the corners of the beer box and line with tinfoil (shiny side so that you can see it) and spray with Spray & Cook (or just grease with some butter)
- Beat the eggs and sugar until light, fluffy and white in colour.
- Blend in the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared box and bake for 35 minutes or until inserting a toothpick/skewer into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Cook for another 10 minutes if it is not done.
- Cool completely and ice however your heart desires! I used some vanilla icing and jelly tots! Nommy!!!
Notes
Optional: if you are making a chocolate cake add 4 heaped tablespoons of cocoa
I am definately going to try this one. My mom gave me the recipe for a chocolate one which is simply devine.
BEER BOX CHOCOLATE CAKE
Line a beer box with aluminium foil and grease well. Set oven at 180 deg.
BOIL TOGETHER IN A LARGE POT
250 g margarine
250 ml oil
500 ml water
5 level Tbls cocoa
ADD
4 Cups sifted flour
2 tsp salt
4 cups sugar
4 beaten eggs
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 cup BUTTERMILK
ICING
Boil together –
2 Tblsp margarine
50 ml liquid fruit orange juice
(I found it better to put my dry ingredients in a big bowl and make a well in the middle and then pour the boiled mixture in and mix them together.) MIX WELL!!
The mixture is quite runny.
Pour the whole mixture into the beer box and bake 180 deg for about 59-60 minutes.
Allow to cool in the box.
When cold, ice with the following, or use ordinary butter icing and caramel.
Leave to cool then add 2 cups icing sugar and 2 Tbls cocoa. Spread over the top of the cold cake. The cake freezes well.
Would like to know! Adding in the cocoa will not require more liquid to the mixture please?
Hi Renuka, I don’t think the extra powder would require extra water as it is such a small amount.
What size box for this recipe ? Do I cut the side out of the box?
I tried this recipe yesterday coz I remember these kind of cakes were popular when someone had a birthday at school!
I must say that I was sceptical at 1st but then I was truly amazed at how yummy it came out. I actually took a risk by trying this recipe out in the form of cupcakes for an order!
I think its a great treat for kiddies + anyone with a sweet tooth!
Quick question: would it be wise to half the castor sugar measurements?
Hi there
For the chocolate version I have this recipe (very similar but obviously with the correct quantities for chocolate). It is a divine cake and I use this recipe for any chocolate cake I make.
Chocoalte Mega-Box Cake (done in a 4×6 beer box)
1. Boil together:
500 mls water
150 mls sunflower oil
6 heaped tablespoons cocoa
2 teapsons vanilla essence
Whisk it well to get rid of any lumps. Cool…then strain (if necessary)
2. Beat together until light and creamy
8 eggs
3 cups castor sugar
3. Fold into this mixutre
3 1/2 cups sifted flour
6 teaspoons baking powder
4. Add cooled cocoa mixture and blend in well
5. Pour into foil-lined box
6. Bake at 180°C for 30–35 minutes
7. Cool in box. Mix icing and ice in box. Leave the cake in the box for serving from.
I normally halve the recipe and it makes 2 decent size round cakes.
good day
one question, can this cake be taken out out the box and then iced, or will it fall appart.
Thanks sooo much for the recipe; have made the vanilla and chocolate version both are delicious and so easy to make. Renuka the cocoa makes no differnce no need to add any extra liquid.
Hi I have tried this cake but it sink in the middle. It was perfectly baked on the sides but collapsed in the oven while baking
Please could you give me a recipe for the vanilla icing to put on the cake
Mine did not come out right:( It could be the boiling water.
Hi there
Quick question – is it 3 heaped Tablespoons of baking powder? Is that not too much? Please specify. Most recipes call for just 30ml. 🙂 URGENT! Thank You
Hi There, it is just 3 tablespoons of baking powder – definitely not heaped. Thanks! xx
Hi do u have an eggless vanilla cake recipe plz in a beer box size . Thank u
Hi Natasha, sorry unfortunately not yet! Good idea though to add to the list!
This is great recipe, I have a wonderful sponge cake recipe which is individually laid out for 4 sizes, S, M, L and XL. I was going to add ingredients to now try XXL size cake for my beer box. A first try, was not sure how to line and intended leaving in box to cool as u mention and would ice in box, then a friend checked on the net, saying FOIL and turning out to cool, putting back in box. That was worrying me, – WHAT IF BROKE, so its nice to know I CAN LEAVE IN BOX, besides, its cardboard, breathing so it should be in order.
Not sure if I should try the recipe I already have, been very successful or above recipe. I am ALWAYS interested in new/different. I am in SA, Cape Town, love baking, especially for grandkids birthday parties+school events.
Hi avverille Barry would you please share your large beer box cake recipe with me. I am a hobby baker..bake from home. Based in East london. Thank you kindly.
the beer box cake. how and when does one incorporate the boiling water in the batter. Alternately with the flour or just once. when, during the mixing or at the end. please help
Hi, I need a recipe similiar to the beer box cake recipe but for cupcakes, please assist if possible. Thank you, Niveshny
As a first time baker I followed your instructions and I must say; my cake came out beautifully!
Thank you for the valuable advice!
Happy baker
Hi can I make use of the ready mix cake mixture for a box cake like those of snowflake and golden cloud and how many mixture will I use