Step 1: Prepare Wet Ingredients

Add 1/4 cup of plain or flavored yogurt to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add Sweetener

Add 1/2 cup of caster sugar to the yogurt.

Step 3: Incorporate Oil

Pour in 1/4 cup of oil.

Step 4: Whisk Wet Mixture

Whisk the yogurt, sugar, and oil together until well combined and smooth.

Step 5: Sift Baking Powder

Place a sieve over the bowl and add 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

Step 6: Sift Baking Soda

Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the sieve.

Step 7: Sift Flour

Add 1 cup of plain flour to the sieve.

Step 8: Combine Dry and Wet

Sift all the dry ingredients (baking powder, baking soda, and flour) into the wet mixture in the bowl.

Step 9: Partial Mixing

Gently whisk the dry and wet ingredients together until partially combined.

Step 10: Add Milk

Pour in 1/2 cup of milk.

Step 11: Add Vanilla

Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence.

Step 12: Whisk Batter

Continue whisking until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Avoid overmixing.

Step 13: Add Black Sesame

Stir in 1 tablespoon of black sesame powder.

Step 14: Mix Sesame

Whisk the black sesame powder into the batter until evenly distributed and the batter has a uniform grey color.

Step 15: Add Cranberries (Optional)

Add 1 tablespoon of chopped cranberries, if desired.

Step 16: Fold in Cranberries

Gently fold the cranberries into the batter.

Step 17: Prepare Baking Dish

Grease a baking dish with oil or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 18: Pour Batter

Pour the prepared black sesame cake batter evenly into the greased baking dish.

Step 19: Add Topping

Sprinkle preferred nuts, such as sliced almonds, over the top of the batter for decoration and added crunch.

Step 20: Bake Cake

Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C-180°C (325°F-350°F) for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 21: Check Doneness

After baking, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake to ensure it's fully baked. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

Step 22: Cool and Cut

Allow the cake to cool completely in the dish before cutting it into desired slices or bars.

• Ensure all wet ingredients are well combined before adding dry.

• Sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth batter.

• Do not overmix the batter once dry ingredients are added, as this can lead to a tough cake.

• Allow the cake to cool completely before cutting for clean, neat slices.

• Use different nuts for topping, such as walnuts or pecans, for varied texture and flavor.

• Substitute cranberries with other dried fruits like raisins or chopped apricots for a different fruity note.

• Experiment with different flavored yogurts to introduce new dimensions to the cake's taste.