Do you hover over the oven wondering when to take your cake out? Read on, and find out once and for all.
- Touch it. The most basic way to judge whether or not a cake is done is to put your hands on it –- if you can feel it spring back (like a sponge) when you press a little, then the cake is probably done. If it feels mushy, give it a little more time.
- Test it. If you have a cake tester or toothpick, place it in the cake and pull it back out –- if it comes out clean, then the cake is done. If you don’t have an actual tester, you can substitute a piece of straw from a broom, skewer, or chopstick. Metal (read: forks) don’t work well since it’s not porous enough to attract pieces of cake.
- Check it. Wait the minimum amount of time advised on your directions before checking your cake (every time you open the door, the temperature drops). If it’s not done yet, check back every two minutes or so to make sure it doesn’t overcook.
Nestpert: Pam Turkin is the owner of Just Baked Shop, which has four locations in the Detroit metro area. They also ship all over the country.
-- The Nest Editors
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