Making a cake can be a fun and rewarding experience, unless of course your cake comes out of the oven looking like a flying saucer. Simple, but important steps need to be taken in order to produce successful results. Use the following instructions and bake the perfect cake every time.
Instructions
1. Read the recipe and make sure you have all of the ingredients to bake your perfect cake. If you leave one out or put in the wrong one, it can have disastrous results. Set refrigerated items out to arrive at room temperature (eggs no more than 30 minutes ahead of your baking time).
2. Make sure you have the correct pans. Improper sizes cause unattractive, overcooked or undercooked cakes. Grease the insides using butter or shortening. Flour the pans, then dump out any excess. Set aside.
3. Preheat oven to the temperature specified in the recipe.
4. Measure all ingredients accurately using dry measuring cups and a liquid measuring cup. Combine the dry items in a mixing bowl. Slowly add wet ingredients and beat with an electric mixer according to speed and time specified.
5. Fill cake pans 2/3 the way up and tap the pans on the kitchen counter. This forces air bubbles to the surface.
6. Place in oven and set timer. A good rule of thumb, is to set the timer 8 minutes less than the time in the recipe. Insert a toothpick into the center to check the batter consistency. If clean, the cake is done. If wet, set the timer for 4 more minutes and check again.
7. Remove cake from oven and set on a rack to cool for 20 or 30 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of pan to loosen. Holding the rack over the top of the cake pan, invert to remove the cake. Cool completely. Your perfect cake is now ready for frosting, if desired.
Tags: perfect cake, sure have
