Author: KammKakes, Location: VirginiaPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:14 pm Post subject: I don't want crusty edges.. how do I stop it ???
HI -
I am new to the decorating.... I have been baking cakes for years and now that I feel that I have the baking down.. I am dabbling in decorating (ALOT HARDER THAN IT LOOKS.. Kudos to all of you!)
My question is ... on my 9" round cakes - how do I NOT get the crusty hard edges? Am I cooking to high temp and too fast ? Its horrid.. I never really thought about it before, now that I need a nice clean edge I am noticing it more and more -
I bake at 325 degrees and use bake even strips. On anything over 8" I also use a flower nail inverted in the center of the pan. Everything bakes even and there is no hump. On very large pans 2 nails may be needed. Just be sure to coat them with whatever you coat your pan with. When you turn the cake out on to the cooling rack the nail is easily removed leaving just a tiny hole.
Author: G_Cakes, Location: in the kitchen...where else?Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject:
I agree with tiggy and would follow those steps, but also you may want to consider investing in some good bakeware.
Off the top of my head I can not think of the names but I know that alot of the bakeware I had was cheap and thin, and really not that good at all.
I have a lot of different types of pans but use alot of the wilton pans.
I think another good brand is Magic pan (could be wrong on the name) but I am sure others will correct me and offer up other names.
I use Fat Daddios pans - I spent some $$ on then thinking that was the problem? needed better pans - but still have the hard edge.
Did not even think about the inverted nail in the center ! WOW.. I will try on my next cake (carrot tomorrow).
I also grease and line the inside with paper for easy release (saves on cleaning too!)
I will lower my temp to 325 (was 350) and just keep trying! Glad my cakes taste good, just need to master the rest of it !
If you don't have bake even strips you can use old towels. Tear them in strips, soak in water, squeeze out, fold to width to fit height of pan and wrap around outside edge of pan and secure with binder clip.
As weird as it sounds even if I get crispy edges as soon as my cake comes out of the oven I use a foil to cover the cake while it's in the pan. Big help because of the steam that's in there it softens my edges and actually helps cakes stay moist. After about an hour or so I turn it out and that's it.
Its like having friends all over the country helping me make a great cake !
Okay.. so the baking strips/wet towels sounds interesting...and the foil over the cake when it comes out.... sounds like STEAM is my friend and I must embrace - I can do this !
Thank you so much !
PS - I will let you know how my Carrot Cake turns out tomorrow
VICKI
Author: indydebi, Location: Indianapolis INPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject:
Magic Line pans.
Bake Even Strips.
Reduced oven Temp.
Freezing adds moisture. I wrap my cakes, when they are just warm to the touch, in Saran Wrap and freeze.
Sometimes I still have a slightly hard outer edge ... I just trim it off when partially frozen. (Easier to trim when partially frozen).
Author: beachcakes, Location: At the BeachPosted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:14 am Post subject:
I find I get the crusty edges when I use the sprays such as Pam.
eta: I seem to remember Fat Daddio recommends to lower the temp to 325 with their pans...
Author: leah_s, Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:44 am Post subject:
What Indy said.
Magic Line pans produce superior results.
And lower your baking temp.
Author: KammKakes, Location: VirginiaPosted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:24 am Post subject:
THANK YOU Very Much Everyone !
I baked three cakes this weekend all using crisco and PPaper - lowered the temp and put tin foil on them as they cooled on the counter.
They have great edges and I can not thank you enough !
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:14 pm Post subject: I don't want crusty edges.. how do I stop it ???