Mention the word cake and it seems to touch the heart and find the soul – communicated in a mistiness of the eyes and an affirming whisper of 'I love cake'.

I've never considered baking in the slightest way a chore. You needn't be extraordinarily talented or have heaps of time to make cakes. A simple baking session requires a few store-cupboard ingredients, plus a little time. From mixing to devouring, a panful of muffins can be ready in 30 minutes and the quintessential Victoria sandwich doesn't take much longer.

From simple-to-make daily treats to those gorgeous goodies we dream about, take pleasure in your baking – it's a lifetime skill, which will only get better.