I made the doll cake this weekend but barely managed to salvage the gown. Please see my attached photo. What caused the top of the cake to sink and swell like that. I figured it was a total loss (cake balls!) and waited about an hour before I tried to unmold it. I baked it for 55 minutes in a 325 degree oven and also had a 10" round with it at the same time. I pulled the 10" out after about 40 minutes (tested clean) but the doll batter was severly disfigured. After letting the pan cool I ran a knife around it and it slid right out in perfect shape except for the top (actually the bottom of the dress) of the pan. I used a huge serrated bread knife and was able to salvage enough of the dress to make it work. Please take a look at my picture (will try to post here if not will post in my photos under first cakes) and please let me know what you think happened. Will ice tonight and will post results tomorrow. Thanks!
Your picture did not attach, please repost.
Junebuggey
Having trouble doing this from work...I posted it in Course cakes...your thoughts?
Looks to me like the cake heated too much in the center because of the rod. I've seen it before. I would trim and perhaps torte the cake to make up for the difference. I looks like the center is about the same as the sides with a sunken moat inbetween from the picture so you could use a bit of extra frosting to fill the gap.
Junebuggey
Can't imagine what went wrong, especially if the 10" came out no problem... what kind of cake was it (scratch, mix/box)? I fill these up pretty full (more than 1 cake mix) and bake it the same 325 for about 50-55 minutes. Were you able to taste any of it (was it dry or moist)? You mentioned you left it in the pan for an hour before turning it out. That might have been too long for it to rest in the pan. I turn it out after 10 minutes or so. You may also want to test your oven temp.
Thanks for your thoughts and for posting my picture. I left the cake in the pan for an hour because I had really given up on it and was very surprised when I unmolded it to find the rest of the cake was in perfect condition. Very moist, just the top was dry and hard, but I have cut that off and will ice tonight. Wish me luck! The 10" came out perfect without a nail or baking strips or anything! No hump (that's a first!) Do you think the cake sunk when I pulled the 10" out because it was done first? should I have baked them separately? Would the 10" sitting out on the counter for an hour while the other pan is baking be a problem. Had to make two boxes of cake mix because the one was not enough and used the rest to make the 10". Your thoughts please.
thanks for the post, I am doing one of these for the first time for next Saturday. I didn't know they were that difficult or that they took more than one cake mix. Thanks again. I would love to see a post of the final picture. Are you going to use a real barbie or the cake pic?
I don't think taking the 10" out after 40 minutes, would cause the other cake to sink... I bake multiple cakes and never had that happen, except once when I banged the other pan, and it was not set - it collapsed! Anyways, here's what I think... I get 1 10" round out of one box mix... you used 2 you said, so I think it should have been more like 2-1/2 because I use more than one, to fill the doll pan. It will rise up better and yes it does get crusty on the top, but you'll have enough to cut off. If your cake was moist, it sounds like it was baked long enough. GOOD LUCK!
Hi okred,
I am using the cake pic and I'm kind of nervous. I've had SOME experience with fondant, some good some well, shall we say disasterous? I'm trying to keep an open mind and remember that this is all practice and I will get better. I will post pictures tomorow. Thanks!
Cakesbyallison,
Thanks for the tips and info...hope to have something to post by tomorrow, I'll work on it when I get home tonight.
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