• Registered: 22-12-2011
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Can't get cakes to rise!

No idea what I am doing wrong. I'm new to baking but have baked about 8 cakes now with no joy?

I've replaced my baking powder (it was ancient),

I've bought an oven thermometer (oven is about 15 degrees off),

I've folded with a metal spoon (think I might not be doing this right)
and
I warm up my ingredients.

I've baked three apple cakes, two banana breads, two blackberry and apple loafs and mayeb three carrot cakes.  Used recipes from a variety of books.

Any other tips? Cakes have improved by the way and are tasty, just always seems a little sunken in the middle or look a little flat. Maybe my tins are too deep? I plan to bake on the fan oven and see if that makes a difference...

Any advice much appreciated smile

  • Registered: 28-07-2011
  • Posts: 163

Re: Can't get cakes to rise!

Not sure about "I warm up my ingredients." That's good when you're baking with yeast, but with with baking powder. It's better to keep everything cool until you're ready to put it into the oven.

On the same point, it's important to get the mixture into the oven as soon as possible after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. The baking powder (or self-raising flour) starts activating as soon as it gets wet. If you wait too long after that point, you risk losing the benefit of it.

Apart from that, I can't see anything obvious that you are doing wrong. The best advice is to persevere, and to try different recipes (a good one for beginners is Delia Smith's all-in-one cake; it's in several of her books). With luck, it will soon start to come right.

Mike

  • Registered: 04-01-2010
  • Posts: 132

Re: Can't get cakes to rise!

ellee wrote:

I've baked three apple cakes, two banana breads, two blackberry and apple loafs and mayeb three carrot cakes.  Used recipes from a variety of books.

This maybe your problem.
The extra ingredients tend to make the cakes heavy.

Try a classic Victoria sandwich recipe.

Frank

  • Registered: 01-09-2009
  • Posts: 287

Re: Can't get cakes to rise!

Always make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature.Do not over beat the mixture and make sure the cakes are firm and springy when you touch them in the centre to make sure they are cooked. Insert a skewer in the centre of the cake it should come out cleanly, if any cake mixture sticks, return the cake to the oven for another few minutes to continue cooking. best wishes from the bakingmad kitchen