Baking a cake is a fun operation until something goes wrong. This article will help you analyze the ongoing disaster and run for cover in the best possible way, even simply by teaching you not to make the same mistake in the future.
Steps
Step 1. Don't panic
There is always a solution, you could for example feed the chickens or show your kids how to 'not' bake a cake. Before running to the local shop to buy a last-minute replacement, stop and analyze the situation: what can be done?
Always learn from your mistakes. Baking a cake is an art and mistakes are nothing more than lessons in learning this art. Enjoy mistakes as well as successes because it is thanks to them that you will become a better cook
Step 2. Fix a burnt cake
Often the first sign of an overcooked cake is the smell coming from the oven. The moment you realize that you have forgotten about your cake, try to intervene in one of these ways:
- Check if there is a possibility to remove the burned parts with a knife. Do this carefully and only if the cake is 'slightly' burnt. The base and surface can be cut and the cake can be covered with icing or decorations.
- Get a thin metal strainer. Use it to scrub the burnt surface of the cake. You will remove all the blackened part without having to cut or break the cake.
- Prevent with the help of a timer. If you think you can forget about the cake in the oven, or if you need to walk away, set a sound timer.
- To prevent the surface of the cake from burning, create two circles of parchment paper, with a diameter wider than that of the cake pan, and place them on the cake before baking.
Step 3. Fix a sunken cake
This problem is often a sign of an undercooked cake or an oven door open at an inopportune moment. Before removing the cake from the oven always use a wooden stick to check that it is cooked. Here's how to intervene in this case:
- Remove the center of the cake. Suddenly it will turn into a donut! Glass it, serve it and feel proud of your dessert.
- Turn it into a trifle or Alaska pie.
- Crumble it and use it as a garnish for a tart. Add some whipped egg white and coconut flakes, place the mixture on the top of a cake and then bake.
- Fill the hole with soft whipped cream and fruit. If you prefer, pour some liqueur or fruit juice into the sunken part before adding the cream and fruit.
Step 4. Fix a cake with a hump
If Vesuvius has developed in the center of your cake, remove it with a knife and then turn the cake upside down. Then glaze it.
- This is usually a symptom of an oven that is too hot. Next time double check the temperature you set it to.
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Cooling Off Alternatively, you may have used a pan that is too small for the quantity of the dough. This is especially true if your cake has developed a break. Try using a larger dish. Often the shape of the pan can also cause bumps or breaks.
Step 5. Here's how to fix a cake that's too dry or stale
- Slice it finely and add some butter.
- Drill holes in the cake. Then sprinkle it with some liqueur or fruit juice. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest for 2-3 days.
- Place a slice of bread in the cake container. Plug it in and wait a couple of days. The moisture of the bread will be transferred into the cake. After the two days, throw the bread and enjoy your dessert.
- Make rum balls using stale cakes or muffins.
- Cut a dry, spongy cake in half. Make a simple syrup by dissolving 60 g of sugar in 3 tablespoons of water and 2 tablespoons of cognac or fruit juice. Brush the cake with the syrup and then add some cream, or mousse, and fruit.
- Slice a stale fruitcake and toss it in butter. You can use brandy flavored butter.
Step 6. Fix a cake with a sugar crust
This happens when the butter and sugar are not processed properly during preparation or when the quantities of sugar used are excessive. Pass off your dessert as a rare French delight and whip up butter and sugar better next time.
White patches on the surface of the cake indicate that the sugar has not melted as it should have. Next time use a finer sugar
Step 7. Fix a shriveled cake
You have most likely baked your dessert for too long at a high temperature. If your cake is still edible, and hasn't turned into a rock, glaze or decorate it and accept that it's smaller than expected. Again, you can pass it off as a French specialty.
Step 8. Keep your temper at bay when you notice that the cake has stuck to the bottom of the pan
You've probably added too much sugar, or sweet ingredients, or you haven't greased the bottom properly. If you broke it while trying to extract it, use it for a trifle or turn it into small sweets.
- Never forget to line the pan with parchment paper or use a non-stick or silicone baking dish.
- If you see honey or syrup among the ingredients, it will be essential to line the pan with parchment paper.
Step 9. Fix a mottled pie
If your cake looks variegated on the surface, you probably haven't mixed the ingredients properly. The flavor will not be affected and you can easily fix it by frosting or decorating your cake. Alternatively you can peddle the result as you want, the kids will like it.
- If you see a darker circular band on the surface of the cake you have probably used too high a cooking temperature.
- If the surface of your cake is pale, you may have lined the baking sheet with paper edges that are too high or you have used a pan that is too wide.
Step 10. Correct a broken or hanging Swiss roll
Use a circular cake pan, or glass, and make as many circles as you can. Between one slice and another, add a filling, berries or sliced fruit. Make triple-layered desserts. Place it carefully and give your creation an important name.
Step 11. Fix a heavy cake
If it seems to you that your cake is heavier than expected, you will need to analyze its consistency.
- If it feels thick and mushy, perhaps due to the moist content (e.g. fruit,) turn it into a pudding. Let it cool and then reheat it when it's time for dessert. Accompany it with custard or ice cream.
- Slice it and serve it in individual portions.
- If it's really heavy, and your heart can't resist looking at it, brush it with oil, or some melted butter, and you can bake it again as if you were making cookies.
- Do not duplicate the ingredients if this is the result. Some recipes are only great when used in 1 to 1 proportions. Remember this lesson!
Step 12. Fix a broken cake
Fix it with icing or cream. Sprinkle the two ends of the break and then pull them together by applying light pressure. Glaze the surface to prevent further breakage and prevent diners from noticing your intervention. Let it dry before serving.
Advice
- A cake that has not completely defrosted can be creatively passed off as a parfait.
- Check the oven shelves. A cake that has not risen evenly may indicate that you have not placed them correctly.
- A flat, hard dessert may indicate that the dry ingredients have not been mixed properly with the liquid ones.
- Whatever happens, act like it's premeditated and laugh at it.
