There was once an unfortunate baker
Who forgot to put flour in her cake-er
"What a mess!" came her cries,
When that cake did not rise,
"Oh this cake is a big old mistake-ah!

True story. I was about twelve years old. I was making a sponge sandwich.

I creamed the butter and sugar. I added the eggs and the vanilla extract.

Then I went into some kind of daydream and…. somehow forgot to add the flour!

I carefully spooned the mixture into the cake tins, and popped them into the oven.

I set the timer. Twenty minutes later…

Why were the cakes still gloopy? Why were they not turning a lovely golden brown?

Where was that delicious sponge smell?

Where had I gone wrong?

Where was my brain?

Then….a slow, dawning moment.

Ohhhhh dear!