Help With Cake Please!!!!

Decorating By jenbenjr Updated 23 Feb 2007 , 6:05pm by Moonflowerpc

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jenbenjr Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 6:46pm
post #1 of 22

HELP! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BAKED AN 11 BY 15 SHEET CAKE. IT HAS BEEN IN THE OVEN FOR AT LEAST 45 MIN AT 325 WITH A FLOWER NAIL IN THE MIDDLE. IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS BURNING THE OUTSIDE.........WHY? AND WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

21 replies
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projectqueen Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 6:49pm
post #2 of 22

Maybe try putting a little foil around the edges to keep them from burning until the middle finishes cooking?

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lindsaycakes Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 6:50pm
post #3 of 22

It's too late to change the temperature of your oven, but I always bake my cakes at 350 F. Try tenting it with foil...that works for pies, I'm not sure about cakes.

At this point, you may need to start over to avoid an overly dry/uneven cake. icon_sad.gif

good luck!

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SLK Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 6:51pm
post #4 of 22

try putting strips of foil around the edges of the cake so the center will continue to cook.

Then make sure to level it off and cut off all the dark spots.

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jenbenjr Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 7:05pm
post #5 of 22

THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUGGESTIONS. I JUST TOOK IT OUT OF THE OVEN AND I THINK IT IS OK. IT IS FOR MY SISTER IN LAWS B-DAY SO I WILL ACTUALLY GET TO TASTE IT. I STILL HOPE IT IS GOOD....IT ALWAYS WORRIES ME THAT SOMEONE WON'T LIKE IT!

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drwendy Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 7:08pm
post #6 of 22

There is always somebody who has different taste.....if the birthday girl is happy, that's what matters!

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heavenscent Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 7:25pm
post #7 of 22

Next time try the wilton strips. You soak them in water then place around the cake pan helps keep the edges of the cake from burning and the middle of the cake to cook evenly eith the rest of the cake.

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LittleLinda Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 9:05pm
post #8 of 22

One time I felt my cake was overcooked on the edges. I just cut them off. The cake was smaller; but I used it for my family. I baked a new one for the customer.

I make 11x15 all the time, always 350 degrees. Always baking strips. Never a heating core such as a flower nail. They always come out perfect. I usually check them at 24 minutes and always bake at least five minutes longer.

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qtcakes Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 10:45pm
post #9 of 22

just remember oven temperatures vary, you may want to get a thermometer to double check you oven temp. also i agree with a previous forum writter, use the wilton strips, they help alot!!! look for a coupon for michaels and maybe you can find them for 1/2 price.
i bake at a lower temp. it takes longer but bakes them more evenly. also, how are your rack placed in your oven?
try, try again... icon_smile.gif

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grama_j Posted 17 Feb 2007 , 10:53pm
post #10 of 22

What did you use to prepare your pans ? I have found that sometimes when I use the spray pan coating with the flour in it, if I use to much, the edges will get to brown, and I have to cut them off......... NOT GOOD !!

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jenbenjr Posted 19 Feb 2007 , 3:26am
post #11 of 22

I THINK THAT WAS MY PROBLEM......THE SPRAY. THERE WAS TOO MUCH BUT I AM ALWAYS SO SCARED OF IT STICKING.

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qtcakes Posted 19 Feb 2007 , 10:35am
post #12 of 22

i do both coatings, i brush crisco, then spray and dont have any problems. talso i use the flour spray.the spray isnt heavy, and with the pastry brush i can get the crisco evenly first.

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pumpkinroses Posted 19 Feb 2007 , 10:54am
post #13 of 22

I have made a few of these and use at least 2 flower nails and that seems to help. I also bake at 350.

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jmt1714 Posted 19 Feb 2007 , 1:42pm
post #14 of 22

(as a suggestion - you might want to try typing in regular type, rather than all caps. it is hard to read and online comes across as "shouting").

also - sometimes helpful to see what works best for you - I bake my cakes at lower temps for longer times and have greater success that way (between 300 and 325)

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freddie Posted 19 Feb 2007 , 5:45pm
post #15 of 22

I use the homemade cake release ( equal amounts Crisco, oil and flour) and have never had any burning on the edges and it has always released perfectly, cheaper too. I also use 2 to 3 flower nails in a cake that size and so far knock on wood it has worked for me. I am one of the ones that had nothing but problems with the wilton baking strips !

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qtcakes Posted 20 Feb 2007 , 11:01am
post #16 of 22

flower nail?

what purpose does the flour nail do when baking? does it keep the cakes level or help with the baking in the center?

ive been reading many of you use this method.

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LittleLinda Posted 20 Feb 2007 , 12:11pm
post #17 of 22

The flower nail acts as a heating core. It's good on big or deep cakes. Anything metal in the center of the cake draws some additional heat to the middle of the cake so it bakes from the center as well as the edges.

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qtcakes Posted 20 Feb 2007 , 1:40pm
post #18 of 22

thank you for the flower nail reply, i will have to try this, i have some bigger cakes i will be baking today. so one will be enough for a 14'' pan?

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LittleLinda Posted 21 Feb 2007 , 6:40pm
post #19 of 22
Quote:
Originally Posted by qtcakes

thank you for the flower nail reply, i will have to try this, i have some bigger cakes i will be baking today. so one will be enough for a 14'' pan?




I think so. If you do a search, you'll see many discussions about the use of the flower nail and people's experiences with what size pans to use them. Personally, I don't use them on sheetcakes; but I DO use them on deep cakes.

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Moonflowerpc Posted 21 Feb 2007 , 10:08pm
post #20 of 22

I make my own baking strips by measuring the height of the pan x 2, then the distance around the pan plus 2 to 3 inches. I then cut terry cloth (aka old towels) in these dimensions, fold in half and there you go...baking strips. I use t-pins to secure them around the pan.

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LittleLinda Posted 22 Feb 2007 , 3:20am
post #21 of 22
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonflowerpc

I use t-pins to secure them around the pan.




Moonflowerpc, welcome to cake central! Enjoy it! I also make my own baking strips; but no more t-pins for me. Sometimes when I secured with pins, I'd pick up the pan to put it in the oven and a corner would slip off. I use binder clips now. One about an inch from each corner of the pan.

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Moonflowerpc Posted 23 Feb 2007 , 6:05pm
post #22 of 22

Thanks, the clips would be much easier to use!

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