Instructions: Weigh the eggs, then measure out the same weight of butter, sugar and self-raising flour.

Set oven at 180C/350F/gas4. Line a 20x35cm rectangular swiss roll tray with baking parchment. Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl.

When light and fluffy, stir in the eggs one at a time with spoonfuls of flour. Add the vanilla essence.

Spoon the mixture evenly over the tray. Bake in the centre of the oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Push a thin knife or skewer into the centre of the cake; if it comes out without any goo, its done.

Wear oven gloves to remove the cake from the oven. Allow it to cool on the tray for about 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges then turn the cake out on a wire rack, or worktop. Leave the cake to cool completely. If you ice it while its still warm the icing will melt.

Sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Gradually add the water, stirring briskly with a wooden spoon. Keep stirring until it is smooth and thick enough to coat the back of the spoon without running off. If yours seems too thick, add only the tiniest amount more water ( 1/2 teaspoon). This is where most people make the mistake of adding too much water and making the icing too runny.

If you want the background of your picture to be coloured, add a few drops of food colouring now and mix in. Use immediately to spread over the cake, leave to set.

When set, use writing icing to draw a picture with lots of things on it.

Put the cake in the fridge for an hour to let the icing harden. Then cut the cake into jigsaw shapes and spread them about on a tray. See who can remake the picture fastest.

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