Hello,

I like the WASC recipe, its basic, mostly reliable and good to taste. But, I realize that its a bit on a the dry side once baked. A couple of my clients have also mentioned that the cake were a little dry. I've tried using pudding filling and also buttercream. But, that doesnt help much because you can only use so much filling.

Any suggestions for making this recipe a little more moist than it is, would be very appreciated.

Thank you.

Wow... I.ve made it quite a bit and it is by far the moistess spelling I've ever made. That is the first thing everyone comments on is how moist it is. I don't know what you could be doing . How do you store it once its baked?

I've had this problem before, too. Have you tried adding a pudding mix into the cake batter? That helps. Also, what liquid are you using? Water or milk? I've found that using whole milk is best. It introduces more fat which makes for a moister cake.

Please tell us which WASC recipe you're using--and how long and at what temp you are baking.

I honestly can't see the recipe I use EVER being even close to dry--mine uses 1 lb. of sourcream, 4TBSP of oil, 2 2/3 C of water, 6 whole eggs or 8 egg whites--that's a whole lot of moisture.
I generally use Duncan Hines mixes and a box of instant pudding mix per cake mix. If anything, sometimes my cakes seem a bit too moist, even when properly baked.

Rae

Are you *SURE* you are using the *original* WASC recipe?? http://cakecentral.com/recipe/the-original-wasc-cake-recipe ... And following the baking insturctions?? I just cannot understand that recipe ever baking up dry!
What band of mix are you using? It just does not make any scense to me that it is coming out dry.

I should say, its either dry or too dense. I use the original WASC recipe, exactly the way its written. Sometimes, I may have to bake it for additional 10 mins depends on the pan size.
I've never used pudding mix in my recipe though. What's the size of the instant pudding mix box that you use? Also, do you use one box for each recipe?

Thanks

I always add oil to the WASC recipe - - it usually is a little dry.

Your problem is due to over-baking. I have baked many WASC cakes and I know what you are talking about. There is a fine line with testing doneness for a WASC cake and I assume it has to do with the sour cream in it. Your cake tester will come out clean or with some crumbs on it but not gooey cake batter. The top of your cake needs to be springy to the touch. Also, baking your cakes one layer at a time will help significantly. I have made lots of changes over the years. I used to bake cakes 3" H all the time. Overbakes. Try baking 1" or 2" H layers with bake even strips or you can make your own strips at home. This ought to solve your problem. It solved mine with WASC.

Pearl has some good advice.
You mention that maybe it is 'too dense'. This recipe is meant to be dence - much like a pound cake. It's not really light and fluffy.
I think there might be something wrong w/your oven if you are having to bake it 10 minutes longer. 1st of all I don't bake by an actual time amount but rather by 'my nose'/the smell. I usually was very busy while the cakes were baking and didn't pay that much to the actual amount of time. I just knew when I could smell that wonderful aroma they were done - or within a few minutes of done 10 min is a rather long amount of extra time. Are you using 2" deep pans? That's what the recipe & instructions are based on.
One does not need bake even strips if everything (oven temp etc) is right on - oh, maybe for a 16"er but that's about the only size. The cake should bake up just fine w/o them - nice and even with out that hump in the middle.

Yes, WASC is a dense cake which I find is best suited for stacking wedding cakes and carving. I have even found they make excellent and moist cupcakes. A butter or an oil-based cake is going to give a lighter cake if that is what you want. I use the tasty and moist vanilla pound cake under most saved websites and it is amazing. I have made it with margarine and got a more dense cake but when I made it with butter I got the lightest and most delicate cake ever. I use bake-even strips because my oven temperature is not even. I have cold spots. Since I have been using the strips, all my cakes are flat on top.