Flatten cake

by Marie
(Union, NJ)

I have baked the same cake twice and both times the cake flattens in the middle, Why?

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Flatten cake

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Nov 18, 2009
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Why Cakes Fall
by: Michelle

Hi Marie,

There are a number of reasons why cakes can fall, or sink on the middle:

1. If you are baking at high altitude, you need to make adjustments in the ingredients. Successful baking at higher altitudes usually requires some trial and error. A general guideline is - slightly more liquid, slightly less sugar and slightly less baking powder.

2. If the batter is mixed too much after the flour is added, too much gluten will be formed. Be sure and mix only enough to incorporate the dry ingredients.

3. Oven temperature is too low or too high. Check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer (available at most hardware stores) to ensure that your oven is at the temperature stated in the recipe. Also, make sure the oven is completely pre-heated before baking the cake and don't open the oven door to check the cake before at least two thirds of the recommended baking time has elapsed.

4. If the cake bakes unevenly, the middle can fall. To prevent this, you can wrap the cake pan in baking strips or strips of towel that have been dampened with water.

Regards,
Michelle (editor)