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- Caroline B.
- Saturday, January 02, 2021
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Bundt, chiffon, angel, sponge, carrot, coffee, marble... there is nothing as multifaceted as cake. With so many varieties and techniques, you’re bound to face a few challenges.
From soggy crusts, to poor volume and uneven shapes, anything can go wrong when baking. And with the luck we had in 2020, we don’t need to take any chances. As we look forward to 2021, we plan on leaving all negativity, overthinking and mistakes (baking including) in the past!
In this three-part series, we examined some of the common baking mistakes and the solutions on how best to remedy them. We have already discussed some common mistakes that can happen when baking pies and cookies. We are rounding out this series with cake mistakes and solutions.
1. The cake did not rise properly.
- The oven was too hot. When the oven is too hot, the top crust forms before the cake has had a chance to rise. This results in poor volume and can cause the cake to crack or split. The trapped gases will continue to expand after the crust is already set.
- Not enough leavening agent was used. The leavening agent creates gases that are trapped in the gluten protein network. These gas bubbles expand and increase the volume of the baked product.
- There was either too little flour or too much liquid added to the batter. Follow the recipe and measure everything out properly using the appropriate tools. Using a kitchen scale allows for much more accurate measurements.
2. The cake is tough.
- Just like cookies but larger, cakes can be tough for the exact same reasons. They too can be overmixed. To keep it short and sweet (sorry for the pun), make sure to follow the proper steps when making a cake. Mix ingredients until they come together. Usually, the first step is creaming together the butter and the sugar. This incorporates air into the batter, making the cake have a lighter texture.
- Not enough shortening was added. Anyone reading these blogs seeing a pattern? Say it with me... FAT IS IMPORTANT AND GOOD!
- Too much liquid was used. Remember, we don’t want too much gluten development when making cake. Just enough to aid in the structure of the batter.
3. The cake is too dark.
- Too much sugar was added. Sugar caramelizes at high temperatures and will make the cake darker if too much is added.
- The oven was too hot. Make sure to preheat the oven to the correct temperature. Also make sure your oven is functional. The last thing you want is to check on your glorious cake and find out it has burned because your oven has hot spots. Use an oven thermometer if you suspect it’s not working properly. On the other hand, if your cake is too light after being in the oven for the correct amount of time, your oven may not get hot enough. Either way test it with an oven thermometer just in case.
- It was cooked with an incorrect cooking time. If it’s too dark, it was probably baked for too long. Too light, it was not cooked long enough. Easy fix right?
References
-Friberg, B. (2002). The Professional Pastry Chef: Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry, 4th Edition. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
-Gisslen, W. (2005). Professional Baking. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.
-Labensky, S. R. (2005). On Baking: A Textbook of Baking and Pastry Fundamentals. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall.
Here are some fantastic resources in our collection for stress-free baking.
Baking with Julia.
Published in 2009
Julia Child and America's best bakers guide viewers through contemporary and traditional baking. Eight complete episodes feature breads, cakes, cookies, pitas, pizzas, croissants, and more.
The Best of America's Test Kitchen. Best Baking Recipes
Published in 2007
Join Christopher Kimball and the cast of America's Test Kitchen to learn the basics of great home cooking. This disc deals with baking recipes and also includes independent reviews of indispensable kitchen equipment, and recommendations for supermarket staples such as unsweetened chocolate and brownie mixes.
Cake Decorating for Beginners
24 Stunning Step-by-step Cake Designs for All Occasions.
Published in 2019
Cake Decorating for Beginners is a wealth of useful information for avid amateur bakers. Combining nuggets of valuable advice and popular projects from the Modern Cake Decorator series, the book leads the reader from the first stages to the last embellishments, including baking and icing your cake, and features a range of exciting, innovative but accessible techniques for decoration such as stencilling, using cutters, piping, painting and airbrushing for a polished, professional finish. The cumulative knowledge of authors Cassie Brown, Christine Flinn, Sandra Monger and Stephanie Weightman makes this book a must-have, go-to guide - the ultimate cake decoration compendium.
Martha Stewart's Cakes
Our First-ever Book of Bundts, Loaves, Layers, Coffee Cakes, and More
Published in 2013
A one-stop resource for cakes--birthday, chocolate, coffee, Bundt, upside-down, loaf, and more featuring 150 cakes plus ideas for decorating, gifting, and storing.
The Perfect Cake
Your Ultimate Guide to Classic, Modern, and Whimsical Cakes
Published in 2018
"Gathering together years of baking knowledge in their first-ever cake book, America's Test Kitchen offers a comprehensive collection of recipes for any cake you can imagine--from better-than-the-rest yellow cake layers for birthday parties to fanciful creations and elegant holiday desserts"-- Provided by publisher.
Snacking Cakes
Simple Treats for Anytime Cravings
Published in 2020
Find sweet satisfaction with 50 easy, everyday cake recipes made with simple ingredients, one bowl, and no fuss. In Snacking Cakes, the indulgent, treat-yourself concept of cake becomes an anytime, easy-to-make treat. Expert baker Yossy Arefi's collection of no-fuss recipes is perfect for anyone who craves near-instant cake satisfaction. With little time and effort, these single-layered cakes are made using only one bowl (no electric mixers needed) and utilize ingredients likely sitting in your cupboard. They're baked in the basic pans you already own and shine with only the most modest adornments: a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of glaze, a dollop of whipped cream. From Nectarine and Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake and Gingery Sweet Potato Cake to Salty Caramel Peanut Butter Cake and Milk Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cake, these humble, comforting treats couldn't be simpler to create. Yossy's rustic, elegant style combines accessible, diverse flavors in intriguing ways that make them easy for kids to join in on the baking, but special enough to serve company or bring to potlucks. Whether enjoyed in a quiet moment alone with a cup of morning coffee or with friends hungrily gathered around the pan, these ever-pleasing, undemanding cakes will become part of your daily ritual.
Mary Berry's Baking Bible
Over 250 Classic Recipes.
Published in 2009
"This definitive collection from the undisputed queen of cakes brings together all of Mary Berry's most mouth-watering baking recipes in a beautifully packaged edition. Filled with 250 foolproof recipes, from the classic Victoria Sponge, Very Best Chocolate Cake and Hazelnut Meringue Cake to tempting muffins, scones and bread and butter pudding, this is the most comprehensive baking cookbook you'll ever need. Mary's easy-to-follow instructions and handy tips make it ideal for kitchen novices and more experienced cooks alike, and full-colour photographs and beautiful illustrations will guide you smoothly to baking success. Drawing on her years of experience to create recipes for cakes, breads and desserts, Mary Berry's Baking Bible will prove to be a timeless classic."--Publisher's description.
The Everything Vegan Baking Cookbook
Published in 2012
If you follow a vegan lifestyle, your egg- and dairy-free diet doesn't have to stop you from enjoying the sweets you love. You just need innovative takes on classic recipes and the newest culinary trends. Now you can make your own delicious desserts with this cookbook! Featuring 300 irresistible recipes with complete nutritional information, you'll prepare everything from chocolate chip cookies to red velvet cupcakes, including:Whoopie Pies Whole-Wheat SourdoughStrawberry Crumble BarsOlive and Artichoke FougasseGerman Chocolate Chip CupcakesGluten-Free Apple CrispWhether you choose to be vegan.
Let Them Eat Cake
Classic Decadent Desserts with Vegan, Gluten-free & Healthy Variations
Published in 2015
You can have your cake and eat it too with celebrity baker Gesine Bullock-Prado's latest cookbook. Featuring more than eighty delicious, indulgent cookies, pies, cakes, and more with proven swap-outs that give the option of making each dessert healthy, gluten-free, and vegan. In today's allergy-prone and health-obsessed world, there are times when the refined sugar, eggs, wheat, or butter in our favorite treats just won't cut it. Let Them Eat Cake includes classic recipes in all their extravagant glory, as well as the secrets to making three alternative versions of each one. From a Fudgy Chocolate Bundt and Maple Madeleines to Meyer Lemon Mile High Pie and Banana Split Ice Cream, this collection of cookies, muffins, brownies, pies, and cakes proves that, no matter your preferences, no dessert is off-limits.
Paleo Sweets & Treats
Seasonally-inspired Desserts That Let You Have Your Cake and Your Paleo Lifestyle, Too
Published in 2013
The Paleo diet has swept the nation as a huge nutritional and lifestyle trend that many have embraced. But what is the modern dessert lover to do when traditional baking ingredients such as flours, grains, dairy, and sugar are off the table? Never fear. You can have your cake and your Paleo lifestyle too! Written by Heather Connell, author of the popular blog, Multiply Delicious, Paleo Sweets and Treats shows you how to bake delicious treats using fresh, seasonal produce, natural sweeteners, and nutritionally dense, grain-free flours. You won't miss out on anything with treats such as: Dark Chocolate Pot de Crm̈e with Roasted Cherries, Sweet Potato Tarts, Orange Pomegranate Cupcakes, and Mango Coconut Sherbert. This paleo diet dessert cookbook gives you easy-to-make indulgent treats to let you stay the Paleo course. This collection of seasonally-focused recipes gives you Paleo-friendly options for any dessert craving.
The Good Book of Southern Baking
A Revival of Biscuits, Cakes, and Cornbread
Published in 2020
"A comprehensive, contemporary collection of more than 100 beloved Southern baking recipes from the James Beard Award-winning Kelly Fields of the New Orleans bakery Willa Jean"-- Provided by publisher.
Vegan Desserts in Jars
Adorably Delicious Pies, Cakes, Puddings, and Much More
Published in 2013
SWEET TREATS IN CHARMING JARS! With easy-to-follow recipes and gorgeous color photos, Vegan Desserts in Jars shows how to make tasty treats that are already in the perfect dish for serving, storing and sharing at parties. Portable, gift-able and delicious, this book's little delights are sure to make a big impression, including: o No-Bake Pecan Pie o Raspberry Brownie Bombs o Cream-Filled Carrot Cake o Grasshopper Pies o Pumpkin Crm̈e Br|lě o Salty Almond Cheesecake o Peanut Butter Cream Cups o Chocolate Babka Blossoms
Everyday Keto Baking
Healthy Low-carb Recipes for Every Occasion
Published in 2019
Have your cake-and stay keto too! With Everyday Keto Baking, there's no need to deprive yourself of the breads, muffins, and other treats you love. Instead, learn to make keto-friendly (low-carb, high-fat) versions of your favorite baked goods using real-food ingredients. This is the only keto baking book you'll ever need. Inside you'll find more than 80 recipes specifically geared to the keto diet. Most recipes rely on coconut flour and almond flour, two of the most popular alternative flours on the market. Coconut flour is an all-natural flour made only from coconut; contains no gluten and no grain; and is low in digestible carbs and high in fiber, making it a favorite among keto, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, and low-glycemic lifestyles. Its pure, slightly sweet taste is subtle enough that even coconut haters won't be able to detect it, and it lends itself perfectly to baked goods, creating results far superior to many other "healthy" treats. Alongside other healthy ingredients like eggs and low-carb sweeteners, the recipes in this book have been carefully created to not only taste delicious, but also help you meet your macros (your target ratio of protein, fat, and carbs on keto). Enjoy all the special treats you once thought were off-limits, such as: Fluffy Pancakes Cheesy Bagels Garlic Cauliflower Breadsticks Chocolate Zucchini Bread Cinnamon Streusel Cake Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler Chocolate Chip Cookies Red Velvet Cupcakes Cheesecake Brownies Spinach Feta Quiche Everyday Keto Baking gives you limitless options for enjoying baked goods without guilt. The only thing you need to worry about now is keeping them away from everyone else!
Cake Simple
Recipes for Bundt-style Cakes from Classic Dark Chocolate to Luscious Lemon-basil
Published in 2011
"Bundt-style cakes appeal to everyone busy home bakers appreciate how simple they are to make, and cake lovers adore the endless (and delicious!) variety of shapes and forms they can take. This collection of more than 50 recipes delivers retro fun with a sophisticated spin, offering everything from nostalgia-inducing classics and decadent indulgences to adorable minis and even vegan versions of this eponymous treat. Enticing photos throughout showcase these whimsical, irresistible desserts and will have anyone with sweet cravings begging for this circular sensation!"--Provided by publisher.
Sweetly Raw Desserts
Raw Vegan Chocolates, Cakes, Cookies, Ice Cream, and More
Published in 2014
Dessert can consist of more than just fruit on a raw food diet. Without the flour, sugar, butter, and cream used in traditional desserts, what is a raw foodist to do? Sweetly Raw Desserts will show you everything you need to know about making the most delicious and nutritious raw food desserts. Techniques such as soaking nuts, using a mandoline, juicing fruits, and making nut milk are included to help you become as familiar as possible with the ingredients and equipment you will be using. Packed with a wide variety of delicious recipes, you're sure to please every palate, even those not following a raw diet. With Raw Desserts & Sweets you'll be whipping up sorbets, cakes, cookies, tarts, chocolates, and custards - all raw and delicious - in no time!
A Good Bake
The Art and Science of Making Perfect Pastries, Cakes, Cookies, Pies, and Breads at Home
Published in 2020
"A comprehensive baking bible for the twenty-first century from the James Beard nominee who has redefined American baking. With 120 scientifically grounded recipes for sweet and savory baked goods anyone can master"-- Provided by publisher.
Everything Bundt the Truth
Published in 2016
Recent widow, Jane Marsh, is determined to recapture a rich, full life. She strives for youthful fun by riding a bicycle downtown on her lunch hour in a suit and heels, smoking cigars, eating at hipster restaurants, and re-entering the dating scene, even if her dates prove to be peculiar. Her most fervent desire, though, is to join an exclusive dinner club. She auditions, but is barred when her housekeeper is found murdered, and she and her guest list become the suspect list. Her, a killer? So what if her two late husband's died under suspicious circumstances. It doesn't make her a killer. Having passed off a store bought Bundt cake as her own creation, she may have committed a culinary crime, but never murder!
Kiss My Bundt
Recipes from the Award-Winning Bakery.
Published in 2011
Featuring more than 60 made-from-scratch recipes, this guide provides instruction to re-create the award-winning cakes from the Kiss My Bundt bakery in Los Angeles. Including recipes for champagne celebration cake, sour cream pound cake, lemon basil bundt, bacon cake with bacon sprinkles, and many vegan recipes as well, it also reveals the bakery's approach to developing new cake flavors and provides techniques for trying this at home.