Cracked Cake
This one looks alright actually...
A cracked cake can sometimes look really, really good, but sometimes, it's just annoying.
If your cakes always crack, here's a few causes...
If your cakes always crack, here's a few causes...
- Cooked on the wrong shelf. Always use the middle shelf if possible.
- Overmixed batter. I think this one speaks for itself. Unless you're whipping something, only mix until the ingredients are combined.
- The oven was too hot. Sometimes cakes over-rise, and crack. To sort this one out, cook for longer on a lower temperature next time.
- Peeking! If you really have to watch, turn the oven light on and look through the door.
- Too much baking powder or soda bic. Measure it out with measuring spoons, and if you followed the recipe and nothing else seems to be the problem, then adjust the amount in the recipe.
Sunken Cake
This is a true disaster
It's a sad day when your cake sinks. We've all been there, and hope never to go back.
But as with all problems, there are causes, and therefore solutions!
But as with all problems, there are causes, and therefore solutions!
- The cake was undercooked. If the cake didn't cook long enough, the middle will still be too soft to support itself. Use a knife to test if it's cooked by seeing if it comes away clean from stabbing.
- You peeked! It causes all the problems. Don't do it!
- Overbeating. Getting too much air in means that when it cools and contracts, it pulls the mix back down.
- The oven was too hot. We've discussed this before... Cook it on a lower temperature for longer next time.
- It was a bad recipe. If your recipe means the mix is destined to sink, try adding more baking powder (as long as you don't mind cracks) or cook for longer.
Camel Cake
Ok, that's not much of hump
You know what I mean. A cake with a hump. I call them camel cakes.
They have less causes, but can still be solved!
They have less causes, but can still be solved!
- The oven was too hot. Lower temperature for longer... I sound like a broken record.
- Too much mixture in a small pan. If the mix looks like too much, make two cakes instead.
Burned Cake
Only burned on one side...
I think the causes of this one are only slightly obvious, so I'll leave you to decide how to fix it for next time!
- Use a sieve to rub off burned bits
- Cut off the burned bits