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Baking a cake is fun and rewarding, but only if the result turns out how you want. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, there are ways you can improve the taste and appearance of your cake. So, do you want to take your baking game to the next level? Then use these tips and tricks to make your next cake taste and look better.
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1. Find a Tried-and-True Recipe and Stick To It
While much of cooking can be done on a wing and a prayer, baking is a science. When cooking a casserole or a stir-fry, you can sub and switch ingredients based on what you have on hand all you want. But when baking a cake, following the tested formula is key. Don’t be tempted to switch out or omit ingredients due to dietary restrictions or preference. If you want to make a vegan cake, for instance, find a good recipe for a vegan cake rather than trying to adapt one that was created with eggs and butter. This rule also applies to following the stated measurements, times, and temperatures to a tee.
2. Measure the Right Way
For baking success, measure carefully. For instance, when measuring dry ingredients like flour, use the spoon-and-level method rather than scooping directly from the container with a measuring cup. Scooping packs powdery ingredients so that you can end up with a lot more flour than the recipe developer intended. Instead, spoon the ingredient into the measuring cup and then use a flat edge, like the non-sharp edge of a knife blade, to scrape off the excess and level the top.
3. Use ingredients at room temperature
Most cake recipes mention bringing the ingredients to room temperature before starting for a good reason. It’s because when ingredients like milk, butter, eggs, and cream are cold they are difficult to blend. This can cause your batter to clump up or develop and unpleasant texture. Ingredients that are at room temperature will blend easily and come together into a smooth batter.
Room temperature butter will trap air as it is creamed, for instance, will hold or trap air during creaming. That trapped air will expand as the cake bakes, helping it rise and giving it a fluffy, airy texture. Without that trapped air, the cake would bake up dense and with less of the desired fluffiness.
So, if your recipe calls for room temperature, make sure your dairy products and eggs are not cold or, worse, frozen. To bring them to room temperature, simply let them sit out on the countertop for 20 minutes or so (if they start out frozen, let them sit for 30 to 45 minutes).
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Don't Overwork the Batter
When mixing cake batter, whether by hand with a wooden spoon, using a hand-held electric mixer, or using a stand mixer, you want to mix just until the batter is well-combined and smooth. Mixing beats air into the batter that makes your cake light and fluffy. But if you continue mixing after the ingredients are properly combined, you begin to beat out those air bubbles. Continued mixing also causes the gluten in the flour to become tough, which can lead to a dry, tough cake.
5. Bake at a Lower Temperature for a Longer Time
If you want your cake to turn out moist and light, bake it at a lower temperature for a longer time. This tip is particularly helpful if you add leavening agents like baking soda or baking powder to your recipe. The low-and-slow heat will cause these agents to react more slowly, leading to a slower and more even rise. Using a very high temperature can cause the cake to rise too quickly and unevenly.
6. Use Parchment Paper to Line the Bottom of Your Pan
Releasing the cake onto a cooling rack is supposed to be easy, but many people find this very frustrating. It’s not uncommon to find almost half of the cake stuck to the bottom of your baking pan, with the other half plopping onto the cooling rack when you try to release it. And this can ruin your cake and waste all the time and effort you’ve spent.
To avoid this problem, use parchment paper for a clean release. Use it to line the bottom of your baking pan to ensure nothing sticks when you release the cake onto your cooling rack. I love to use round parchment paper liners designed specifically for cake pans. This way, you won't have to rely on frosting to cover up your split cake. And speaking of frosting, the next tip is also helpful.
7. Decorate your cake like a pro
Don’t be afraid to go a little extra on the frosting when decorating your cake, as there is no such thing as too much frosting. Ensure you frost in even layers, and opt for homemade glaze or buttercream. And if you don’t know how to make your frosting from scratch, don’t worry. You can learn some of the easiest tips online, such as the ermine frosting recipe. But don’t end there; add extra decorations with fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, etc., to create a more pro-like finish.
The Wrap Up
Use these tips to make fluffy, moist, and delicious cakes like Honey Cake, Apple Cider Donut Cake, Eggnog Bundt Cake, or Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake.
