Cake
mishaps are inevitable sometimes. And when this happens, usually the
first reaction is to panic, especially when it is for an occasion you
have been duly paid to service. Let me share one of my many cake mishaps
with you.
It happened a long time ago when I was still starting out as an amateur baker back in the University. I was given a birthday cake contract to be delivered in two days. I was really excited because that was one of the first major cakes I was actually being paid to do. I wanted to impress so much that I went over-budget to make sure the cake stands out (
it did standout alright! LOL but in an awkward position) LOL. Because of my over-zealousness to impress, I wasn't precise with my measurements and disaster fell. The cake turned out to be soaking wet with fat. Too much fat! I was devastated as I had just that evening to deliver the cake. (
by the way, I didn't start to bake until that day of delivery, another mistake, wanted to make sure it was "fresh" LOL). I escaped been beaten by the celebrant that day as the cake was a total disaster because it ruined her party. Jabs such as
" if you didn't have enough money to pay a professional baker, why even bother to throw a party" were thrown at the celebrant.
Thank God I wasn't there. LOL.
Reminiscing
now, knowing what I know now, I would have done better not only in my execution but also in my planning and also SALVAGING my ruined cake. Here are 3 easy ways to salvage your cake when you have a cake mishap.
Major Rule: NEVER PANIC:
One of the most important rule is not to panic as I said earlier, this is usually the first reaction. But try to calm yourself down and think of these 5 ways to salvage your cake.
1. Burnt Cake
This can occur when your oven is too high or you forgot your cake in the oven and took a nap.
FIX: The first step to salvage a burnt cake is to see if you can cut off the burnt parts with a clean serrated knife and refrigerate it for like an hour so that the crumbs come together and it doesn't give issues while frosting. This you can
do if the cake isn't badly burnt. But if its really really burnt, please toss it in the trash and make another batch if you have time, as the badly burnt state may affect the taste of your cake.
Prevention: Use a timer or an Alarm Clock next time.
2. Stuck-in-the-Pan Cake:
This usually occurs when the baking tin/pan is not well greased. Greasing your properly before putting in your batter is an essential step in baking a cake.
FIX: First step is to try to release the cake with a palette knife around the edges and letting it cool completely or freezing the cake before turning it out can help. If the cake breaks while trying to turn it over, measure the degree of brokenness, can it be put together and frosted, or is it so broken that the pieces don't come together, if the former is the case your are safe, but if the later is the case, there are two things involved; 1. Mash together the crumbs and make cake pops from it check out
Bakerella for recipes or 2. use the crumbled cake as crust for your cheese cake recipe without biscuits as its crust. Improvise!.3. Roll your crumbled cake into balls and FRY it! Yes Fry it! If life gives you lemons, make LEMONADE with them!
Prevention: Always line your baking tin/pan properly before pouring in your batter. Make sure the pan is well greased with fat or a baking spray is applied to the insides of the pan.
3. Sunken Cake
This is a common cake mishap, bakers experience from time to time, especially when you are an amateur baker. This occurs due to the depletion of the temperature inside the oven while baking or because the cake is not well cooked especially in the middle. So always check for doneness with a skewer especially in the middle.
FIX: One of the ways to salvage this is to either use crumbs from a previously baked cake with the same recipe to fill the hole and freeze before icing or cutting out the hole with a cutter and turning it into a doughnut shaped cake and frosting.
Or you can quickly bake a small dome shaped cake to place in the middle, level it, and frost.
Prevention: Avoid the urge to open the oven door many times to check the progress of the cake, also make sure the oven is preheated to the right temperature before placing your cake in.
4. Dome-Shaped-Top Cake
This can occurs if there is a weakness in the structure of the cake or the type of baking pan too can affect the shape of the cake. Some people like it this way but others that want a flat surface would need to get rid of it.
FIX: This is a quick fix, just cut off the dome part with a serrated knife and turn bottom side up for frosting.
Prevention: Try using silicone mold pans for baking, reduce the gluten content of the cake. Try another type of flour if you currently use all-purpose flour.
5. Cracked Top Cake
This can occur because of the fluctuations of the oven temperature or too much rising agent such as baking powder in the cake.
FIX: slightly cut the top of the cake, freeze and layer it with frosting before the main icing is applied on the
Prevention: Make sure your are precise about your measurements. Make sure that the oven is reheated before the cake is put in.
These five ways are some of the most common cake mishaps that we face as bakers from time to time, and these 5 easy fixes are steps will help manage these situations and prevent these mishaps from occurring too frequently.
I hope you found this post helpful, make your comments, questions and suggestions below.
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