The Simple Measuring Mistake You Need To Stop Making With Cake
Who doesn't love cake? From towering wedding cakes to layered birthday cakes to cupcakes, there is a type of cake for every occasion. And nothing beats a homemade cake for flavor and texture. But for successful cake making, and for successful baking in general, there are rules you need to follow. The first is to find an accurate recipe that will work. The second is to read through and follow that recipe, per Alton Brown. The third is to use the ingredients called for and not make substitutions unless you are experienced (per Wired). And the fourth, and probably most important, is something not many people know.
There are all kinds of ways that cake baking can go wrong. The cake can be underbaked or overbaked. The ingredients, especially the baking powder, can be expired and not work well. You can choose the wrong pan size. You might not mix the cake enough or you could even combine the ingredients incorrectly.
But most importantly, there is a simple measuring mistake you're probably making that you don't even realize.
Measuring flour correctly
Measuring flour incorrectly is one of the most common mistakes in baking, but it's simple to correct. While most people dip the measuring cup into the flour, that is actually the wrong way. Measuring flour this way can add too much, as scooping packs the flour into the cup, which means your cake will be dry and heavy, per the Institute of Bakery & Culinary Arts.
There are two ways to measure flour correctly — spooning and weighing. If you don't want to use a scale, which is the most precise way to measure flour and all dry ingredients, first stir the flour in its canister or bag to lighten it. Then spoon the flour out of its container and into the cup. Keep doing this until the cup is overflowing. Then use the back of a knife to level off the flour even with the edge of the cup.
If you bake a lot of cakes, a digital scale is easy to use, inexpensive, and guarantees perfect measuring. Each cup of all-purpose flour weighs 120 grams, or 4 ¼ ounces, per King Arthur Baking Company. To weigh the flour, put the measuring cup on the scale, and "tare" it, that is, zero it out. Add the flour until the scale reads 120 grams. Add the flour to the bowl and keep measuring. Just remember that different flours have different weights.
Now make the perfect cake
Now that you know how to measure flour, and that you should carefully read the recipe and follow the instructions, there's nothing holding you back. You are free to enjoy every step of the simple pleasure of baking. Just be sure you understand doneness tests, per America's Test Kitchen, and how to safely remove cakes from pans (per MasterClass). And don't forget to let the cake cool completely before you frost it.
Once you feel confident in your baking skills, you can try your hand at a rich carrot cake and cream cheese frosting for an indulgent treat or make the ultimate chocolate cake for the next birthday celebration, and frost it with my mom's frosting recipe. You can create a friendly and beautiful bundt cake or for a comforting homemade treat, try my mother's honey cake with apple confit or a homey pineapple upside-down cake. Yum.