Baking Stories from Carol Bakery

Welcome to our kitchen. Here, we share the real moments, the dusty flour clouds, and the heartfelt craft behind every creation in our Nairobi bakery. These are the stories that make Carol Bakery more than just a shop—they make us a community.

August 2026

How to Bake a Vanilla Cake Using a Jiko

Baking a delicious vanilla cake does not always require an electric oven. If you have a jiko at home, you can still prepare a soft, tasty, and beautiful cake. A jiko can work like a simple oven when it is prepared correctly.

Ingredients

- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup cooking oil or melted butter
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

You will also need:

- A cake tin
- A large sufuria with a lid
- A small metal stand or empty tin
- Charcoal for the jiko

Method

Start by preparing your cake batter. In a large bowl, mix the flour and baking powder. In another bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly fluffy. Add the milk, cooking oil or melted butter, and vanilla essence. Mix everything well before gradually adding the flour mixture. Stir gently until you have a smooth cake batter without large lumps.

Next, prepare your jiko. Place enough charcoal inside the jiko and light it. Allow the charcoal to burn until it becomes hot and produces steady heat. Avoid using too much fire because very high heat can burn the bottom of the cake before the inside is fully cooked.

Place a large sufuria on top of the jiko and cover it with a lid. Allow it to heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. Place a small metal stand, stones, or an empty tin at the bottom of the sufuria. This will keep the cake tin away from direct heat.

Grease your cake tin with butter or oil and lightly dust it with flour. Pour the prepared vanilla cake batter into the tin, filling it about halfway to two-thirds full. Carefully place the cake tin on the stand inside the hot sufuria.

Cover the sufuria tightly with its lid. To create heat from the top, carefully place a few hot charcoal pieces on the lid. This helps the cake bake more evenly, similar to using an oven. Keep the heat medium and steady throughout the baking process.

Allow the cake to bake for approximately 40 to 60 minutes. Try not to open the lid too often because heat will escape and the cake may not rise properly. After about 40 minutes, check the cake by inserting a toothpick or clean knife into the centre. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

Once the vanilla cake is ready, carefully remove it from the jiko and allow it to cool before removing it from the tin. You can enjoy it plain or decorate it with buttercream, fresh fruit, or your favourite frosting.

Baking a vanilla cake using a jiko is simple, affordable, and rewarding. With patience and steady heat, you can create a soft and delicious homemade cake even without a traditional oven.You can now copy this version into your website blog and format the Ingredients and Method as separate headings.

August 2026

How to Bake a Lemon Cake Using an Oven

Lemon cake is a delicious and refreshing dessert with a soft texture and a sweet, citrusy flavour. It is perfect for birthdays, family gatherings, afternoon tea, or any special occasion. The fresh taste of lemon makes this cake different from ordinary vanilla cakes. Baking a lemon cake at home is simple when you have the right ingredients and follow the correct steps carefully.

Ingredients

- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup cooking oil or melted butter
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Method

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C. Preheating the oven is important because it ensures that the cake starts baking at the correct temperature. Grease your cake tin with butter or oil, then lightly dust it with flour. This will help prevent the cake from sticking to the tin and make it easier to remove after baking.

In a large bowl, sift the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Sifting helps remove lumps and allows air to enter the flour, which can make the cake lighter and softer. Set the flour mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

In another bowl, crack the eggs and add the sugar. Beat them together until the mixture becomes light, smooth, and slightly fluffy. Add the cooking oil or melted butter and continue mixing. Then add the milk, vanilla essence, fresh lemon juice, and grated lemon zest. Mix everything well until all the ingredients are fully combined.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until you have a smooth cake batter. Avoid overmixing because this can make the cake heavy instead of soft and fluffy. Make sure the lemon zest is evenly mixed throughout the batter so that every slice has a fresh and delicious lemon flavour.

Pour the prepared batter into the greased cake tin. Smooth the top gently with a spoon or spatula. Place the cake tin on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake the lemon cake for approximately 35 to 45 minutes, depending on your oven.

Try not to open the oven door too early because sudden changes in temperature can cause the cake to sink. After about 35 minutes, check whether the cake is ready by inserting a toothpick or clean knife into the centre. If it comes out clean, the cake is fully baked. If wet batter sticks to it, allow the cake to bake for a few more minutes.

Once the lemon cake is ready, carefully remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the tin for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then remove it from the tin and place it on a cooling rack. Allow the cake to cool completely before adding any frosting or decorations.

You can enjoy your lemon cake plain or decorate it with lemon glaze, buttercream, fresh lemon slices, or grated lemon zest. The combination of sweet cake and fresh lemon flavour makes this dessert light, refreshing, and delicious. It is also a wonderful choice for people who enjoy cakes with a fruity taste.

Baking a lemon cake using an oven is easy and enjoyable. With the right ingredients, the correct oven temperature, and a little patience, you can create a soft, fluffy, and flavourful homemade cake. The fresh aroma of lemon will fill your kitchen and make your home smell wonderful. Serve your cake to family and friends and enjoy every delicious slice together.

Tip: For a stronger lemon flavour, add a little extra lemon zest to your frosting or glaze.

August 2026

The Best Chocolate Cake You Will Ever Have

If you are looking for a rich, moist, and delicious dessert, this chocolate cake is the perfect choice. Chocolate cake is one of the most loved desserts around the world, and for a good reason. Its soft texture, rich chocolate flavour, and sweet aroma make it a favourite for children and adults. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, enjoying a family gathering, or simply craving something sweet, a slice of homemade chocolate cake can make any moment special.

The secret to the best chocolate cake is using simple ingredients in the right way. You do not need to be a professional baker to create a delicious cake. With flour, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, milk, oil, baking powder, and vanilla, you can create a soft and flavourful chocolate cake. Adding hot water or hot coffee to the mixture can also help create a rich chocolate flavour and a moist texture.

One of the best things about chocolate cake is its amazing texture. A good chocolate cake should be soft, moist, and easy to slice. Nobody wants a dry cake that needs a large glass of water to swallow. The right balance of ingredients helps keep the cake moist while giving it a light and fluffy texture. Using oil instead of too much butter can also help the cake stay soft for longer.

The chocolate frosting is another important part of making a perfect chocolate cake. A smooth and creamy frosting can take the cake to another level. You can make a simple chocolate frosting using butter, icing sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla. The frosting should be smooth enough to spread easily over the cake. You can also add chocolate shavings, sprinkles, fresh fruits, or small pieces of chocolate to make the cake look more attractive.

Chocolate cake is perfect for many different occasions. It can be served at birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and family celebrations. It can also be enjoyed at home with a cup of tea, coffee, or milk. The rich chocolate flavour makes it a dessert that brings comfort and happiness to many people.

Another reason chocolate cake is so popular is that it can be decorated in many different ways. You can create a simple one-layer cake or a beautiful multi-layer celebration cake. A chocolate cake can also be designed with different colours, themes, and decorations to match a special occasion. This makes it a perfect choice for both simple moments and important celebrations.

At Carol Bakery, we believe that every cake should be made with love, care, and quality ingredients. A great chocolate cake should not only look beautiful but also taste amazing from the first bite to the last. We aim to create cakes that are fresh, soft, delicious, and memorable for every customer.

The best chocolate cake is more than just a dessert. It is a sweet experience that can bring people together and create happy memories. Whether you enjoy it with family, friends, or by yourself, a delicious slice of chocolate cake can brighten your day. If you love rich chocolate flavour, soft cake, and creamy frosting, then this may be the best chocolate cake you will ever have.

Visit Us

We invite you to experience the magic of Carol Bakery in person or explore our signature collection online. Whether you are craving a sweet treat or planning a grand celebration, we are here to make your moments delicious.