Step1
Whether you plan to make a cake from scratch or from a boxed mix, start
by reading the ingredient list and directions. Make sure you have every
ingredient on hand before you begin. Cakes can fail miserably if key
ingredients are left out and you won’t have time to run for missing
items once you begin.
Step2
Have all ingredients at room temperature unless the recipe directs
otherwise. Eggs should only be left out about 30 minutes before using
them.
Step3
Get out the proper-sized pan(s) and prepare them to keep the cake from
sticking. Rub the inside of the pan with butter or vegetable shortening
(Crisco) using a paper towel. Use at least half a tablespoon of butter
or shortening and make this a thick coating, to help the cake come out
of the pan easily without breaking. Then add a tablespoon or two of
flour and shake it around to lightly coat the inside; the flour on the
sides will help the cake adhere to the sides as it bakes, so the top is
flatter. This is important if it's a layer cake. Dump out any excess
flour and set the pan aside. If you're planning to serve the cake
straight from the pan, you only need to grease the bottom, and you
don't need the flour step at all.
Step4
Preheat your oven to the required temperature from the recipe.
Step5
Follow your recipe step by step, measuring ingredients as accurately as
possible and adding them in the order specified. Most cake recipes
begin by combining dry ingredients like flour, cocoa and baking powder,
then adding wet ingredients like eggs, milk and oil.
Step6
Mix the cake batter as specified on the recipe, stopping occasionally
to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
Step7
Once all ingredients are added and the batter is fully mixed, pour it
evenly into your prepared pans. Only fill pans 2/3 of the way full as
the cake will rise during baking.
Step8
Tap the cake pan on the countertop to release any large air bubbles in the batter.
Step9
Put the pans on the center rack of the preheated oven. Do not allow pans to touch each other or the oven wall.
Step10
Close the oven door, set your timer to the time specified in the recipe
minus 8 minutes. Resist the urge to open the oven door – heat will
escape and may cause the cake to fall.
Step11
Once the timer goes off, check for doneness by inserting a toothpick,
wooden skewer or cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes
out clean or with only a few small crumbs on it, the cake is done. If
not, put it back in the oven for another 4-5 minutes.
Step12
Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool for 15-30 minutes.
Step13
When the cake has cooled, run a butter knife around the edge of the pan
to loosen the sides, place the wire rack over the top of the pan,
invert it and tap lightly to remove the cake. Let it cool completely
before decorating.
Step14
Frost and decorate as desired and enjoy.
Calendar