The Essential Guide To Baking

Cut each layer in half and place them side by side. Which layer is the most perfect? If the

layer baked at 370 degrees is the best, and the directions recommended baking at 365 degrees,

you should add 5 degrees to the directions or recipe's suggested baking temperature when baking

any kind of cake in the future. If the layer baked at 350 degrees is the best, you should

subtract 15 degrees from the suggested temperature in any future pre−mix directions or scratch

mix recipes.

Note: Try to keep each of the unbaked layers as cool as possible (without putting them in the

refrigerator).

CAKE MIXING

Make sure all the mixing utensils are clean and cool.

Use the beaters designed for cake mixing on your mixer.

Make sure that all your measuring cups and spoons actually hold the same volume −− when you are

using more than one set. Fill one measuring cup up to the one−cup line then pour that water

into the other measuring cup to make sure they both hold the same volume. Measure all ingredients

as accurately as possible.

Always use ice cold water in the mix unless the directions or the recipe reads differently.

Follow each step of the mixing procedure as faithfully as you can. Shortcuts almost always lead

to disaster.

Follow mixing times to the letter. Under or over mixing is probably the number one cause of

cake failure.

Angel food cake must be mixed and baked in a fat free environment. A drop or two of oil in the

mix or on the cake pan will ruin your cake. Always invert Angel food cake as soon as the cake

comes from the oven.

Place the layers in the oven as soon as possible after mixing. Baking powder and baking soda

start working at once, so get the cake in the oven quickly.

Use a rubber or soft plastic spatula to scrape the sides of the mixing bowl after each addition

of ingredients. Scraping down the bowl is a must to insure proper ingredient distribution.

Always cream the sugar and shortening the correct amount of time. Good creaming will insure

that plenty of air is added to the batter and that your liquids will blend with the other

ingredients.

BAKING CAKES

Pre−set your oven about twenty minutes before baking. When the oven reaches your pre−set

temperature, use a small oven thermometer to make sure the setting is correct.

Season all your new baking pans by applying a very thin coat of vegetable oil and baking them

empty for about 25 minutes at 400 degrees. Cool completely, wipe dry, LIGHTLY grease them with

all−purpose shortening and LIGHTLY dust them with flour before using.

Cake Baking