How To Ruin A Perfectly Good Cake (And We Have All Done It!)

 

Here we are going to cover the top 5 most common mistakes that can destroy your masterpiece. But before we get started I just want to say that the vast majority of baking failures are caused by the incorrect temperature. This can have such a dramatic impact on the final product that it is worth making sure you've got it set right. Always check the recipe carefully to make sure it is written correctly and makes sense. A chocolate cake recipe should be specific about what kind of chocolate to use and how to prepare it. If you continue to have issues, get your oven checked for accuracy to ensure your future baking gets going without a hassle.

1. Under Baking

This can cause an array of different problems and you could end up with a cake which did not rise, is too moist and runny and your cake could even cave in because the batter in the center is under baked. To avoid this always check and set the correct temperature according to the recipes instructions and be sure to place the baking pan at the correct level/height in the oven.

2. Not Mixing Properly

When you don't mix the batter properly you'll find that you get lumps in the cake, if you're creating layers they may not be even and worse still, you may not get enough air into the mixture. Mixing well is essential to ensure consistency in the batter so that when it bakes it is even and smooth. When you mix with a beater, be sure to get it in the pan and baking as soon as you can. The longer it sits out the more air it loses prior to baking.

3. Over Baking

Yes, you can over bake if you're not careful. This occurs when the oven temperature is set to high for too long which can cause your cake to shrink, get holes and tunnels forming and burning, especially at the base of the cake. The last thing you want, especially with a mud cake is a dry and burnt one.

4. Incorrect Removal From Pan

When removing the cake from the pan you need to use a spatula to ensure it comes out gently and smoothly. Even dense, heavy cakes will be (should be if it's done right) moist and firm, however right after baking they will be softer then when they cool down. Also making sure the pan is properly greased prior to pouring in the batter is essential to making this removal process far easier.

5. Too Much Liquid

Sometime people think that in order to make a mud cake even moister that they need to add more liquid to achieve this. Often this results in a cake which either won't rise or caves in the middle. Stick to the recipe and control the moistness through the duration you are baking the cake for. There are some great baking tips that smart bakers use to ensure success. Follow the recipe, make sure your oven is at the right temperature and use fresh ingredients and you will find that almost every recipe will turn out great.