{{Short description|British traybake dessert}} '''School cake''' or '''school dinner cake''' is a UK traybake dessert consisting of a vanilla sheet cake with vanilla frosting and sprinkles, often served with pink custard.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=The Great British Baking Show Recap: Getting Schooled|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/the-great-british-baking-show-recap-season-16-episode-4-back-to-school-week.html|website=Vulture|date=2025-09-26|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en|first=Brian|last=Moylan}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Bake Off Recipe: Prue Leith’s School Cake|url=https://www.countryandtownhouse.com/food-and-drink/bake-off-recipe-prue-leiths-school-cake/|website=Country & Town House|date=2025-09-24|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en-GB|first=Ellie|last=Smith}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|title=Future nostalgia: how school dinner cake became a surprise baking sensation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/mar/03/future-nostalgia-school-dinner-cake-surprise-baking-sensation-sponge-sprinkles|work=The Guardian|date=2021-03-03|access-date=2025-11-30|issn=0261-3077|language=en-GB}}</ref> It was commonly served as part of school dinner in primary schools in the UK.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
According to ''Vulture'', the cake was served to students on Fridays as an inducement to good behavior through the week.<ref name=":0" /> According to ''Wales Online'', the dish is "synonymous with school dinners" and was served "for generations".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mum's viral 'school cake' recipe will take you back in time in 40 easy minutes|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/mums-viral-school-cake-recipe-29923043|website=Wales Online|date=2024-09-12|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en|first=Lucy|last=Marshall}}</ref> ''Good Housekeeping'' called it a "classic".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=The nostalgic 'School Dinner Cake' is trending and we can't wait to make it|url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/a35721933/school-dinner-cake/|website=Good Housekeeping|date=2021-03-04|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en-GB}}</ref> The ''Manchester Evening News'' called it "iconic".<ref>{{Cite web|title=How to make a retro school dinner cake with sprinkles|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/how-make-retro-school-dinner-18078351|website=Manchester Evening News|date=2020-04-14|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en|first=Zara|last=Whelan}}</ref>
The dish was part of the pandemic baking phenomenon.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/juliet-sears-school-dinner-cake-and-custard|title=Juliet Sear's school dinner cake and custard|date=3 March 2021|website=ITV}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
==References== {{reflist}} {{Dessert-stub}} Category:British cakes