Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Prepare Wet Ingredients

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

2. 2.Add Sweetener

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

3. 3.Incorporate Oil

   Pour in 1/4 cup of oil.

4. 4.Whisk Wet Mixture

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

5. 5.Sift Baking Powder

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

6. 6.Sift Baking Soda

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

7. 7.Sift Flour

   Add 1 cup of plain flour to the sieve.

8. 8.Combine Dry and Wet

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

9. 9.Partial Mixing

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

10. 10.Add Milk

    Pour in 1/2 cup of milk.

11. 11.Add Vanilla

    Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence.

12. 12.Whisk Batter

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

13. 13.Add Black Sesame

    Stir in 1 tablespoon of black sesame powder.

14. 14.Mix Sesame

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

15. 15.Add Cranberries (Optional)

    Add 1 tablespoon of chopped cranberries, if desired.

16. 16.Fold in Cranberries

    Gently fold the cranberries into the batter.

17. 17.Prepare Baking Dish

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

18. 18.Pour Batter

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

19. 19.Add Topping

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

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 22.Cool and Cut

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