In each episode of our new podcast Perhaps bikers knowWe answer baking questions of our listeners. Inside Our last episode all about birthday cakeOne caller asked a very important question: Why did my cake fall flat as a pancake when I took it out of the oven? Below is an edited excerpt from hosts Davarkin and Jessica Battilana. You can find the full episode Here.
Dude: You know, this caller has her Checked to make sure you baking powder was activeAnd that was a smart thing to do because the first culprit is the Lativin. The fact that you baking powder is still alive makes me think that perhaps it is too much in the recipe, or maybe she to put it in a bit to generous, and I would recommend to incredible back on this. Because what happens when you have too much latiening in the cake is that you can get that kick for the cake to rise too high, and therefore it leads to a large case. So that it would be my first course of action is to pull back on the baking powder and see if it makes a difference.
Jessica:She says it was beautifully in the oven, and it is also possible that she did it, she is also possible that she took it out of the oven a little soon, before the cake structure was quite slightly different. Maybe you have done the toothpick test, which I think that I couldn't as reliable as you want, but what I look for with with the deness is a cake that is to walk away from the sides of the sides. Then I can press gently on the center of the layer, and it should spring a little bit a bit. I wait for those signs of donis before I pull it out, because if you pull the cake before it is really truly smaller, it will be good at first, but how it collapses, it just collapses. It has happened to me and it is such a bummer.
Dude:This is such a bummer. The item test, the gentle stress in the middle, is so key, and I understand why you don't always trust the Tooth Test too. I just want to say buckers, if you haven't used to the feeling of a bad cake in the oven, get used to it because this is so helpful.
Learn more here: How to say when a cake is done.
We answer more basic cake questions throughout the podcast, from Dancifies the opposite-crimming method to break down which cake flour really is. Listen to the full episode for the answers!
Cover photo by recalted Holbrook.