What Dad doesn’t dote on cake? And what Dad doesn’t dote on a cake made specially for him by one of his children, even if it is a little lumpy? Some dads, needless to say, can get too much of a good thing.  When we were young, my three sisters and I spent many Sundays baking cakes and biscuits. Our Dad was the guinea pig. Chocolate cakes seemed to be our speciality, probably because the mixture tasted so good.  By the time we’d grown up, he’d been offered hundreds of different versions. These days it takes a lot of convincing to get him to eat even one slice of chocolate cake. There are those who criticise the commercialisation of Father’s Day, claiming it is yet another excuse for a feast of consumerism and sticky, sickly sentiments. But what father can resist something freshly baked just for him, even if it is sticky and sickly? Most Dads love anything made with chocolate. Brownies are a always a hit. Try these Dark Chocolate Date Brownies, an updated version of the traditional brownie.  Afghans are also easy to make and always a hit. Quick mix cakes, such as Boiled Chocolate Raisin Cake, are easy for children to make with a little help from mum (just how much help they’ll need depends on their age and stage). Start the cake by combining the first seven ingredients together in a saucepan, then add the sifted dry ingredients and pour into a greased cake tin. It’s important that your eggs and butter are at room temperature before you begin and that you remember to preheat the oven. Sit the cake on the middle rack in your oven and test to see if it’s cooked by inserting a skewer in the centre – if it comes out clean, remove it from the oven. If you follow these rules you’ll have success – and a happy Dad!