WE oldies who learned the art of home baking from our mothers and grandmothers who, incidentally, did not possess any cookery books, are shaking our heads in disbelief on reading the Cook's Shelf item Let Them Bake Cake (August 5).

Basically the recipe for the Can't Go Wrong Cake baked by the 'little chefs' was what we used to refer to as a Victoria cake. A rich mixture and an expensive treat in the days when money for the baking ingredients was very scarce. It was a home-made rich cake for special treats such as Sunday tea. On weekdays we reverted to plainer fare, even egg-less cakes. No wonder the Cook's Shelf Can't Go Wrong Cake sank in the middle. It had too much liquid added to it for such a rich mixture. The hand-held electric blender could have over-creamed the fat and sugar. Wooden spoons are still available, but for how much longer?

I am thankful we were able to learn to bake without culinary gadgets. It would have been like learning to type before mastering the alphabet.

Mrs Ida Mary Goodrick,

Woodlands Avenue, Tadcaster.