Put a pan on medium flames, slowly melt 1/2 cup sugar.

It will start to melt and change the colour turn into dark brown. Keep stirring it until it turns into a deep caramel colour. Let the flames in mid-low, and be careful not to let the sugar burn.

Turn off heat and add about 1/4 cup water. 

Turn the heat back on and slowly heat the mixture until the sugar crystals dissolve. Set aside and let the caramel cool down.

Pre-heat oven to 350F / 180C.

Add spices and salt to the remaining flour and baking powder, mix well until combined.

Beat the butter and 3/4 cup sugar for about 15-20 minutes, until fluffy.

Add vanilla and mix it well into the batter.

Add 1 egg and beat.

Then add a bit of the flour mixture and mix. Likewise, alternate between the eggs and flour mixture until there is none left.

Add the cooled caramel and gently fold it in.

Pour batter into a greased cake pan and smoothen the top.

Bake for 50-55 mins until the top turns a dark brown and when a skewer inserted into the cake comes out with dry crumbs.

Start checking from 45 mins to see if the cake is done. Make sure it's completely cooked inside, the top may look like it's overdone, but don't worry.

Once cooked, take it off from the heat to cool down.

Dust with icing sugar when the cake is completely cooled.

PS: Use the icing sugar dust over some decorative stencils and put a nice image on your delicious cake. The children will sure love it. You can buy some cake decorating stencils online for under 300/-