10 Tips to Successfully Baking a Cake from Scratch with Recipe
Baking in a science in which each ingredient plays an important role and has the ability to alter the end product. It requires a certain process and procedure that we must follow for best results. Here are 10 tips to successfully baking a cake from scratch with recipe included that I use and follow.
10 Tips to Successful Baking Cake from Scratch with Recipe Included – How to bake a perfect cake
The baking Encyclopedia
There is a whole encyclopedia written on baking. What you must do and what you must not do. Rightfully so. There is nothing worse than spending an hour baking only to remove a flat or underbaked, sometimes over baked cake from the oven. There are zillions of things that can go wrong with baking and over the years I’d had my own share of those misfortunes.
However, I will still say that I am very grateful to have had a mother who taught me the basics of baking. From my grandmother to my mother both of whom were excellent bakers and cooks I am truly fortunate to say it is in my blood. I truly love baking and cooking so much that I have over the years created many of my own creations and shared them with family, friends and nowhere on my blog.
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10 tips to Successfully Baking a cake from Scratch
I – The ingredients
Always measure the ingredients properly.
If it says one cup then use one cup not a few tablespoons more or less. It does make a difference.
For example – a few tablespoons of extra flour can make your cake dense, crack on the top and a few tablespoons less can cause the cake to sink.
I have a post that explains the advantages of – measuring ingredients by weight and volume in more details
10 Tips to Successfully Baking Cake from Scratch, How to bake a perfect cake from scratch
II – Temperature of your ingredients
Make sure your butter is room temperature but not melted unless the recipe specifies.
- Butter – If the butter is not room temperature it will not cream well with the sugar and stay lumpy.
- Eggs – Start with room temperature. This will help them combine well with the rest of the ingredients and not give you a curdled batter.
- Sugar – use fine grain sugar that will cream well. Coarse granulated sugar takes longer to cream and ends up staying grainy
Tip – If you cannot find – fine grain sugar just place the coarse gain sugar in a food processor for a few seconds.
10 Tips to Successfully Baking Cake from Scratch, How to bake a perfect cake from scratch
III – Over-mixing and Under-mixing
I know this is very confusing. What does it mean? How do I know when it’s enough?
Most recipes will tell you how long to mix and if you’re still not comfortable use a kitchen timer. (I do it all the time, mostly because I’m multitasking)
Most cakes have a simple formula – cream the butter and sugar and you will know when this is done because it will appear light, fluffy and creamy. (Usually about 3 minutes.) You see this is well creamed.
10 Tips to Successfully Baking Cake from Scratch, How to bake a perfect cake from scratch.
Add eggs at 20 sec intervals and beat them until they are well combined and this you can see if they are well combined by just looking to see not traces of egg. It is important to mix the eggs well as this can give your cake that lovely light texture.
10 Tips to Successfully Baking a Cake from Scratch, How to bake a perfect cake from scratch
Next, add dry and wet ingredients. Always alternate the dry and wet, starting with the dry and ending with the dry. It is important to just stir until they are incorporated.
10 Tips to Successfully Baking a Cake from Scratch, How to bake a perfect cake from scratch
In most traditional cakes this is how the cake batters would look. Some batters such as Chocolate cake batters have more liquid but the batter should look smooth without any lumps and traces of flour.
You can do this by hand or use the mixer on low. Here is where you do not want to over-mix and activate the gluten in the flour.
10 Tips to Successfully Baking a Cake from Scratch, How to bake a perfect cake from scratch
Fill your pan 2/3 full leaving enough room for the cake to rise. If your pan is not lined at least grease and flour it so the cake will be released. If you grease but don’t flour the pan it does affect the rise of your cake.
10 Tips to successfully Baking a Cake from Scratch, How to bake a perfect cake from scratch
IV – Temperature of the oven
I know most professionals say buy an oven thermometer. It is a great investment.
If you do not own one then keep track of your oven. If you notice that your recipe says to cook for 20 minutes and your chicken is done in 15 or 30 minutes, you can guess how far off your oven is. The next time makes adjustments and keeps track again. When baking the oven temperature is very important and can affect the end result of your baked goods.
V – Always preheat your oven
A good practice is to have your ingredients ready, switch on the oven and start mixing. This gives you approximately 15 minutes of preheating time.
VI – Prepare your cake pan
Some people buy special spray for their baking. I personally like to use the pan spray and then use baking paper on the bottom as well as sides.
Also, note – that if you do not prepare the sides of your pan – it affects the rise of your cake.
VII – The use of cake strips and heating core
You can buy these ready-made nowadays so it saves you a lot of hassle.
Trust me it does bake your cake level and saves you the extra work of leveling later on. Plus a heating core for larger cakes will bake your cake evenly and you won’t have a wet center with a dry exterior. I use large flower nails as a heating core.
VIII — Do not overcrowd your oven
Overcrowding the oven can cause too many problems with uneven baking as well as sinking. It’s best to place the cake on the middle rack and away from the side of the oven. Pans should not touch each other when baking.
I X — Do not open the oven door while baking
Opening the door when baking can cause your cake to sink. Most recipes will tell you how long to bake it. A great indicator is a smell. You will know when your cake is baked by the lovely sweet smell permeating through your home. Once there, open the door, do a toothpick test to make sure. If the toothpick comes out clean take it out of the oven.
X — Do not leave the cake in the pan to cool for more than 10 minutes
Remove the cake from its pan and let it cool on a wire rack. If you have greased your pans properly this will be an easy job. Leaving your warm cake in the pan for long can cause the cake to sink.
On a personal note – here’s what I try to keep in mind
- Organize your self. Try not to multitask. (I know, easier said than done).
- Get all the ingredients ready before you start so you don’t forget anything.
- Remember baking is food science, unlike regular cooking where you can add more salt or have the luxury of forgetting something. In baking each ingredient plays a key role and can affect the end result of your hard work.
- Baking can be fun and be exciting it all depends on the way you approach it.
- So take care of the basics and the rest is fun.
How to bake a perfect cake from scratch every single time. 10 Baking TIps
Simple Basic Vanilla Cake Recipe –
Baking from Scratch Series for Successfully Baking a Cake from Scratch
Ingredients.
- 2280 grams (2 sticks) of unsalted butter. (room temp.)
- 200 grams (1 cup) white granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs (about 60 to 70 grams each – room temp.)
- 250 grams (2 cups )
- 2 tsp. of Baking Powder
- 250 ml milk
- 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 170 Cor 340 F. Prepare two 8” cake pans.
- Grease and flour baking pan with baking paper.
- In a bowl, measure your dry ingredients, add the baking powder, salt and set aside.
- Measure the milk and set aside.
- Start by creaming the butter and sugar in your kitchen mixture (or by hand) for about 3 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Next, add eggs one at a time, beat until well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract
- Add the flour and milk in three batches, starting with the flour and ending with the flour. Mix until just incorporated. Here you do not over mix.
- Take the bowl off the mixture – give it one last stir scraping the bottom of the bowl.
- Pour into your prepared pan and place in the oven (middle rack) for 20 to 25 min. Or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then on a wire rack completely
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Variation to this recipe
This recipe is so simple; so easy to master and take to the next level, you can create so many different variations. The amount below is for the original quantities if you change the serving amount – adjust quantities below accordingly.
-
Sour-cream Vanilla cake
Replace the milk with sour cream and substitute 1/2 tsp baking powder with baking soda.
-
Lemon Cake
Replace 3 tbsp of the milk with lemon juice and add the zest of one lemon. (zest is optional) and substitute 1/2 tsp baking powder with baking soda.
-
Orange Cake
replace the milk with orange juice. Substitute 1/2 tsp baking powder with baking soda. Add 1/4 tsp orange extract and 1/4 tsp orange zest. (orange zest and the extract is optional)
-
Chocolate Cake
Replace 60 grams flour (1/4 cup) with cocoa powder.
-
Chocolate Mocha Cake
Replace 60 grams flour (1/4 cup) with cocoa powder. Dissolve 2 tbsp. of coffee in 2 tbsp. of hot water. Add to the batter before you pour into the baking pan.
Don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest for later.
You can find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.
10 Tips to Successfully Baking a Cake from Scratch with Recipe Included
Recipe Card – Basic Vanilla Cake Recipe with Variations
10 Tips to successfully Baking a Cake from Scratch with Recipe
Ingredients
- 228 grams unsalted butter room temperature
- 200 grams white granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 250 grams All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. Baking Powder
- 250 ml milk
- 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170 Cor 340 F. Prepare two 8” cake pans.
Grease and flour it or line it with baking paper. - In a bowl, measure your dry ingredients, add the baking powder, salt and set aside.
Measure the milk and set aside. - Start by creaming the butter and sugar in your kitchen mixture (or by hand) for about 3 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Next, add eggs one at a time, beat until well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract
- Add the flour and milk in three batches, starting with the flour and ending with the flour.
Mix until just incorporated. Here you do not over mix. - Take the bowl off the mixture – give it one last stir scraping the bottom of the bowl.
- Pour into your prepared pan and place in the oven (middle rack) for 20 to 25 min. Or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes Remove from pan and cool completely on the wire rack.
Chef's Tips
Variation to this recipe
This recipe is so simple; so easy to master and take to the next level, you can create so many different variations. The amount below is for the original quantities if you change the serving amount - adjust quantities below accordingly.-
Sour-cream Vanilla cake
Replace the milk with sour cream and substitute 1/2 tsp baking powder with baking soda. -
Lemon Cake
Replace 3 tbsp of the milk with lemon juice and add the zest of one lemon. (zest is optional) and substitute 1/2 tsp baking powder with baking soda. -
Orange Cake
replace the milk with orange juice. Substitute 1/2 tsp baking powder with baking soda. Add 1/4 tsp orange extract and 1/4 tsp orange zest. (orange zest and the extract is optional) -
Chocolate Cake
Replace 60 grams flour (1/4 cup) with cocoa powder. -
Chocolate Mocha Cake
Replace 60 grams flour (1/4 cup) with cocoa powder. Dissolve 2 tbsp. of coffee in 2 tbsp. of hot water. Add to the batter before you pour into the baking pan.
Nutrition Information
Baking Tools
Love cake? Want more cake recipes?
Take a look at some of the most delicious cake recipes I have for you on this blog. All recipes are tried and tested. Whether you looking for a simple one bowl vanilla cake recipe, a fruit-flavored recipe for spring or luxurious recipe with decadent frostings. I’m sure you will find something you will love. Alternatively, take a look at my Recipe Index to see a list of all recipes on this blog.
A collection fo cake recipes by Veena Azmanov – Tried and Tested Cake Recipes
Thank you so much for these tips. I am new to baking so this is really helpful. Made this recipe and it turned out perfect. THanks
Thank you so much Nathaniel, So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe and found the tips useful. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. Have a great day.
I don’t understand the heating core thing I have never heard of them can you explain what they do
Heating core is basically a small metal object that you place in the middle of the cake so the cake bakes from the edges towards and center and center towards the edges.. this makes a more even baking.
One of the most important things I have learned over the years is “LISTEN TO VEENA!”
Aww thank you hun
Wow thanxx a lot for sharing …your wonderful tips. ….you r really sooo creative. ..:
thanks soo much this is a live saver
you are amazing. period.
Thank you so much for the wonderful tips 🙂
Do you have tips on how to bake a moist chocolate cake? I'm new to cake baking. My vanilla cakes turns out fine, but everytime I tried to bake a chocolate cake, it always turn out dried, not sure when I'm going wrong 🙁
Wow, you really have some great tips here. I have read so many before I came to your blog that it really confussed me. I Like how simple you explain things