We all have it. Well, some of us. That deep down desire to create something edible and have everyone that tries it, moan in delight with every single bite. Now, I write novels, songs, make movies and I’m actually a pretty good cook. Anything and everything pasta … I got it. Soups, salads, you name it. I can create anything from scratch, give the best Chopped TV show champs a run for their money and have folks clamoring for a third or fourth helping of my chili. Yet … yet .. mind you, give me a dessert to make … I crumble faster than any cake I can make. I don’t get it. I don’t. I mean why is baking so damned hard. I will follow a recipe to the letter and still end up with … something … something so horrible my dog runs.
So can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong? Since I moved into the new house with the huge kitchen, I have really wanted to bake. But desire doesn’t equal talent. Take my latest endeavor. I was, was mind you convinced I could make a kick butt cross-shaped cake for my granddaughter’s christening.
I had to practice first.
I was in a creative culinary mood. I took that pound of ground beef and made philly cheese baked sliders on sweet rolls with homemade ramen noodles. At the store I got everything I needed to make that cake from scratch, icing and all. I found this great recipe with awesome reviews, my sister gave me her no fail icing recipe. This is the recipe I used. FLUFFY MOIST CAKE
Line by line, word by word I followed the recipe. It said 'bake 30 minutes', but at 30 minutes it looked uncooked. 45 minutes later the edges were crisp and I took it out.
It not only flattened it sunk deep in the middle.
As soon as it cold enough to remove, it came from the pan with ease then simply … crumbled.
I tried, I mean really tried, through tears of laughter to make it look presentable, but that wasn’t happening.
“Maybe it just looks bad,” my daughter said. “I bet it’s great.”
Hmmm.
Do I cut a crumbling serving for her and I.
Um, it was thick, too sweet and so dense, a small bite was caught in my esophagus and it took two glasses of milk to get it down.
The icing was good.
I just can’t figure out what I am doing wrong. This isn’t the first cake I failed making from scratch, but after looking at the picture, I think it will be my last.
As for my granddaughter’s Christening cake … I have the number of the local bakery.
You should calibrate your oven to make sure it's correct.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/10/how-to-calibrate-your-oven-for-better-baking.html
Lol....I'm laughing with you, not at you!! Cakes can be tricky. Like another person said, be sure your oven is calibrated correctly. That's huge, right there. Don't peek, lol. The oven shelf should normally be in the center of the oven (I'm sure you already know that). By the way, have you ever tried pies? I've had great luck with pies... look for the Never Fail Pie Crust recipe on line. It's the one that has a bit of vinegar in it. It's delicious and truly never fails. The best of luck with your cakes...I feel you'll succeed if you just keep trying (and your oven is accurate)! ��������
ReplyDeleteI saw your blog name and laughed! I'm also Nana to my grandchildren, only I'm called "Silly Nana" when they're really small and "Crazy Nana" when they're older (all meant lovingly, of course!) Lol Too cute! Apocalypse Nana!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Jacqueline,
ReplyDeleteI am Dan of the editorial team of JustFiction Publishing, a publishing house specializing in publishing novels, fiction, poetry and short stories of all genres from new, aspiring and experienced authors.
I liked your post about the baking adventure you had! I must admit my first cake turned out in a similar way, tasted good though. Would you consider starting a conversation about possibly publishing your work with us, if you have a work of fiction, some poetry or short stories? You can reach me at d.(my surname)@(my website minus www).com
I'd be delighted to tell you more about us!