Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen, only to end up with a cake disaster?
It's not surprising we go away feeling deflated or put off baking forever. Well, that's slightly dramatic, but when we are tired and hormonal that's the reality of the situation. Don't worry, we've all been there.
That's why, in this article, we are sharing our cake baking and decorating knowledge to help prevent you from making the same mistakes we did. No matter what level of baker you are, this comprehensive guide is packed with expert tips, tricks, and techniques that will have you creating cakes you can be proud of every single time.
So say goodbye to sunken cakes, lopsided layers, and crumbly disasters, and say hello to bakery-worthy creations that will leave your friends and family in awe. Let's get into it!
The Most Common Causes of Cake Fails
1. Incorrect ratio of ingredients
One of the most common culprits of a cake fail is improper measurements of ingredients. Baking is a science, and even the slightest deviation from a recipe can lead to disastrous results. It's essential to follow the recipe accurately and measure your ingredients precisely.
Tips to help you combat this:
- Use measuring cups and scales to ensure you are adding the correct amount of ingredients.
2. Dense or gummy baked cake
Another common cause of cake fails is overmixing or undermixing the batter which can result in a dense, dry, or gummy cake. Understanding the correct mixing technique and knowing when to stop can make a world of difference. .
Tips to help you combat this:
- Follow the recipes instructions to ensure you are doing what is required for that cake recipe
3. Burnt & dry or uncooked & sunken baked cake
It's essential to ensure your oven is at the right temperature otherwise you could cause your cake to sink, burn, or bake unevenly. Similarly, improper timing can result in an undercooked or overcooked cake.
Tips to help you combat this:
- Start by preheating your oven to the correct temperature before putting the cake batter in. A properly preheated oven will ensure that the cake bakes evenly and rises properly.
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Investing in an oven thermometer is a great way to ensure your oven is at the set temperature. Ovens can often be inaccurate, and an oven thermometer will help you determine the true temperature inside.
- Set a timer and avoid opening the oven door. Opening the oven door can cause fluctuations in temperature and interfere with the cake's baking process, causing it not to rise properly.
- Use a toothpick (or similar) to determine if the cake is cooked all the way through by inserting it into the middle of the cake and checking no cake batter is stuck to the toothpick when it comes out.
Other Tips For Baking The Perfect Cake
Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin.
This will ensure that they mix together smoothly and create a cohesive batter. Cold ingredients can result in lumpy batters and dense cakes.
Sift your dry ingredients before adding them to the batter.
This will help remove any lumps and ensure even distribution throughout the cake. Sifting also aerates the flour, resulting in a lighter and fluffier texture.
4. Icing that's sliding off the cake or not holding shape when piped
The heat from a warm cake can cause the icing to melt and slide off the cake, resulting in a complete mess.
Tips to help combat this:
- Allow your cake to cool completely before icing to ensure a smooth and stable surface.
- In Australia the temperatures do get warm, so if you find your icing is melting, it's probably too warm, so pop it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.
5. Crumbs in my icing!
When applying icing to a crumbly textured cake, you'll find the crumbs get mixed in with the icing and you can see them throughout the icing layer - not pretty!
Tips to help combat this:
- Crumb coat your cake before applying the final layer of frosting. A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting that seals in any loose crumbs. It provides a smooth base for the final layer and prevents crumbs from showing through.
Other tips for making your life easier when making your cake.
When it comes to decorating, invest in quality tools and equipment. A cake turntable, offset spatula, and piping bags are essential for achieving professional-looking results.
Practice different icing techniques, such as smooth buttercream, piped rosettes, or intricate designs. With time and practice, you'll become better at cake decorating.
Use cake hacks to make your life easier, like a cake mix that doesn't require measuring dry ingredients and are usually more failsafe than baking from scratch, or use a DIY cake kit that steps you through the baking and decorating process and provides you the proper cake decorating tools and ingredients to get the job done right.
Troubleshooting Common Cake Fails and How to Salvage Them
Even with all the preventive measures, cake fails can still happen. But don't worry, there are ways to salvage them.
Sunken cake
If your cake sinks in the middle, it's likely undercooked. Place it back in the oven for a few more minutes and check for doneness regularly.
Dry cake
If your cake is dry, you can try brushing it with a sugar syrup to add moisture. Another option is to layer the cake with a filling or icing to add moisture and flavour.
Lopsided cakes
For lopsided or uneven cakes, you can level them using a serrated knife or a cake leveller. This will create a flat surface for easier stacking and decorating.
Embracing the mistakes and get on with it anyway...
Baking is a journey filled with both successes and failures. Every cake fail is an opportunity to learn and improve your skills. Embrace the journey of baking and don't be discouraged by the occasional flop - we've all been there. With each attempt, you'll gain experience and become better. We encourage those that bake to remember that the person receiving your cake will only see the effort and love that went into it, not the imperfections.
We hope these tips come in handy over your baking journey. Happy caking!