Ok last night I baked a 12x18 white sheet cake, actually 2 of them. I used 3 cake mixes doctored up. The cake is supposed to be tinted blue so I used just a little bit of blue paste coloring and tinted the batter...
I used bakers joy spray to grease the pan and put in one flower nail. Poured the batter in and baked for 45 mins at 325. Omg! My cake was Nasty smelling and looking!!! It had a thick crust on the bottom, like it was just about to start burning. It was the worst cake I have ever made!

Ok, second cake I prepared the batter just as before but used even less blue coloring, it came out the same way....Is it the coloring?? I dont know what the heck is going on but im about to burst into tears...this cake has to be ready for Sunday!!! AAAHHHHH!

Please someone help me before I go but 6 more cake mixes and start from scratch!

I don't know famousamous...I've never used food coloring in my mix...but this will give you a bump.


Hugs, ~Denise

I havent either...it was Witon paste coloring. Thanks for the bump lol.

Ive decided if they want a blue cake they can put on a pair of blue shades cause I will NEVER color another cake again!

What if you use just regualr food coloring? Does anyone know?

Would they be ok if you did the cake white and used blue icing?????? I'd propose that. Can't imagine what is causing this.

I really doubt it's the coloring. I've never used it in cake batter, but I use it in pancakes ALL the time and it doesn't affect anything.

I have only used Gel color in non doctored cake mix and it turned it pretty cool! I did layered cupcakes and a cake with them!

Well the cake is for my cousin in law and she wouldnt care if the cake was exactly how she wanted...so Im not going to color the batter next time. Would parchment paper in the bottom of the pan prevent the werid crust?? Can someone explain that method to me?

Have you used the Bakers Joy before without any problems? I usually use crisco to grease pan, cut parchment paper to fit bottom of pan, grease that a little and then coat the bottom and sides with flour. I've never had any problems. I did try the "Pam for Baking" once and did not like the way the cake came out at all. Good luck with the next cake.

Trace the bottom of the pan onto parchment and cut out. Grease the pan bottom and sides with crisco. Then place the parchment on the bottom. you can poke the flower nail through the parchment, then lay it in the pan, but I just put the batter in then spray the nail with pan spray and place it in the center. After baking, let sit for about 10 min, run a knife around the edge and invert onto a cooling rack. Peel up the parchment to remove the flower nail, then replace the parchment back down. Then flip over so the parchment is on the bottom. Allow the cake to finish cooling, then do whatever you do with icing, filling, whatever.

I've used Baker's Joy for years and haven't had any problems. What are you doctoring up the mix with? That's the only unknown for me, everything else seems to be okay. I usually use four mixes in a 12 x 18 x 3, bake at 325 for 90 minutes and have even used paste colors in them and never had any problems. That's why I ask what you're doctoring with.

I doctor mine with milk instead of water and add a box of instant pudding per cake mix. The only thing I did differently was add the coloring.

I will use your instructions for the parchment paper and pan prep... my pan is 12x18x2.

Thanks for all your help!
*Crosses fingers*

Do you grease on top of or under the parchment paper?

I really doubt that it is the color. I do mine all the time. I love to take say white cake mix and take out a bit and color it a couple different colors--bright--and pour them in in a S sort of shape, overlapping each other, but leaving some of the bottom of the pan showing. Then fill in with white. WOW Turns out soooo much better than regular marbling for me. Anyway--- Try just making the mix as usual and then color blue or try the marbles......HTH and good luck

denise2434, I know this dosen't have anything to do with this thread but you have, hands down, the best looking avatar on CC.

Not counting all the avatars of all the beautiful children of course!!!!!

This to me sounds like an oven problem are you using electric?? IF you are check the top element you might have burned it out and now the bottom is trying to make up for the top one. IF thats the case it would cause the bottom of the cake to get like that.

I too don't think its the coloring.

Yep--Peg 818 may have just "pegged" it!

Ok---Sorry, I couldn't RESIST that one...

Have you checked your element?


--Knox--

I grease under the parchment but not on top. it's not necessary. The grease underneath is just keeping it in place from moving around when you put the batter in. It's okay if the parchment comes up on the sides a little too. . Just don't let it get completely cold in the pan before you turn it out and it'll be great!

How do I check the heating element? We just bought the stove 2 yrs ago.....awwwwhhh maaan!

In my electric my top element does not go on for the oven. It is for the broiler button. Only the bottom one is on for baking.

it's probably too late, but.... it's not the coloring. I just did a french vanilla/pink champagne cake w/pink wilton coloring in the batter and it came out amazing!!!

I hope it works out for you...

I have used bakers joy for years and never had a problem. I have only used buttermilk to doctor a cake never regular milk.
I have used wilton paste colors to color batter and never had trouble but not with milk in the mix.

Are you sure your milk is fresh and not close to the sell by date?

Good Luck whatever it is.

Let us know how the next cake turns out.

You guys have once again saved the day!!!!!

My heating element was out so I had to drive 30 mins away and bake my cakes at my sister in laws house. (Shes very sweet to let me use her kitchen, I'll have to repay her with a carrot cake soon )

So I finally get home at 12:00 and put a quick crumb coat on the cake to seal in the moisture and take my behind to bed. lol. I woke up early and finished the cake. It baked up so pretty!!! Nice even browning and I didnt even have to level it. I used my regular doctored up version but I didnt put in any coloring, I didnt want anymore surprises!!!

Everyone loved the cake! Many people said that it was the best cake they have ever had! Im so releived!

You guys are so awsome! This is the best site ever! Thanks for sending good cake vibes my way!!!
Thank yall for all your help, I dont know what I would have done without you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cake and cup cakes with almod bark baby footprints.