I get my cake Pans ready, I spray it with Cake release & When the Cake is done. The siding comes our dark, Not with that nice Golden color. Am I doing sometime wrong & What. Am I putting to much Cake release. Please, Help Thanks for responding, Have a Good day.

Thank You
Margie From Ct

I'm not sure why that happens as this happens to all of mine as well. I would love to know if I'm doing something wrong as well. Jaime

let me jump in....mine too. Help us please...LOL

Mine are always darker. Not dark from being overdone, dark from being the outer crust of the cake. Just like bread. It's normal. It was touching the pan, thus gets hotter, thus gets a bit browned. This is what gives it that outer support as well, helps the cake keep it's shape. If that browned crust around the edges wasn't there, your cake would most likely split and fall apart.

The sides may be over baked in order to get the center done. Try using an upside down flower nail in the center of your cake pan (sprayed with cake release) to help the center cook faster. I also suggest bake even strips to keep the sides from cooking faster then the center (they also help keep the dome to a minimum). I've heard of people making their own out of old towels but I haven't tried that. I bought the Wilton ones with a Michaels 40% off coupon and I'll never bake without them again.

I mean, there's going to be a bit of browning. Not so much where it is dry, it's still moist, but it is firmer and darker than the rest of the cake. Geez....hope I haven't been doing it wrong this whole time! I don't think so. I love the way mine come out.

Brown crust seems like the normal yummy cake thing to me...unless it's over baked and dry. If it bakes too dark and is dry then your oven may be at a higher temperature baking the outside too much by the time it cooks through. Try lowering the temp a tiny bit (not too much though...then the cake will dry out)

I agree with Tiggy2. The wilton strips are great and I also use the upside down flower nail in the middle of any cake 10 inches or larger. The cakes cook evenly and come out perfect every time. Good luck.

Now, That Tiggy2 Mention the Strips. I do put the Strips, Am I wetting them too much &That's, Why it comes out that way. Thanks u all for you respond. It's so appreciated.


Thank You
Margie

I think you should send a link to the color that best matches your description of dark, and a clor that you are expecting/and or the color of batter. Cause I can't tell if you are overreacting or really are getting something that is unacceptable.

Maybe, Iam. But, When you learning, You want to know that you are doing it Right. Thanks alot Jaime For your Respond.

Margie

miasuzzette
I really don't think you have a problem.

However, you can check your oven temp with an oven thermometer to make sure it's heating accurately to the temp that you set.

Bake at no higher than 325.

Dont' overbake.

Are you using dark, non stick pans? They will always cause your cake to be darker.

Hazel

Is it dark all the way around, or just on one side? If its just on one side, it means your oven has a hot spot.

The bake even strips slows down the baking process to some degree, by distributing the heat all around. By baking at a lower temp for a little longer should solve the issue. I always use the strips and bake easy and my sides are fine.

I agree with everyone here that it is hard to determine what you consider dark.

If you were using too much cake release, your cake would be soggy around the edges more than anything. With the strips you are supposed to thoroughly soak, then gently squeeze excess moisture out.