how do I get a moist chocolate cake?

by Marcia
(Netherlands Antilles)

My chocolate cake comes out dry especially the top. How do I get a moist chocolate cake?

From the editor:

Hi Marcia,

You don't mention which recipe you're using so I can't tell if that has anything to do with it, but here's a few tips that may help:

1. Check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer, available from most hardware stores. Many home ovens can be off by as much as 50 degrees (F), which means your cake is baking much faster than you expect. This can cause the cake to lose all it's moisture.

2. Bake the cake in two pans instead of one. This allows you to bake for less time which retains more of the cake's moisture. Pour 2/3 of the cake batter in one pan and 1/3 in the other. Bake, cool and split the thicker layer in two and now you have three equal layers.

Good luck.

Regards,

Michelle (editor)