Is There Such Thing As A Too Moist Cake?
Decorating By lori_d Updated 11 Jul 2007 , 7:45pm by lori_d
I made a red velvet cake from a box a few days ago. I found that I didn't like it, but I couldn't figure out why. Actually, I thought I liked the cake and cream cheese frosting as long as they weren't together! Then I was eating a piece and ate some of the center, which had cream cheese filling. All of a sudden I thought it was too mushy. As I'm eating the rest of the cake I realized the texture of the entire cake was not to my liking... I thought maybe I'd undercooked it but no, it was cooked.
I made another cake today, again from a box, and ate a piece. It had the same texture and again I disliked it. The cake was moist, which a lot of people love, but it was exactly what I hated about it, especially how easily it fell apart!!
I'm sure I'm in the minority liking the more dense cakes. Nonetheless, I want to try to make cake from scratch that won't have the same texture as cake mix cakes. What is a good recipe for a good relatively dense cake? Thanks.
Lori D.
Lori
Everybody has their own tastes so to each her own. But I know I've heard people complain about scratch cakes because they've only grown up with box mixes and the taste, and even more so, the texture, was "weird" for them.
Also, I had a piece of cake made by Sylvia Weinstock a few months back and neither me nor my DH cared for it. The problem I had with it was that it tasted so moist as to almost not have any taste or flavor. The cake was three thick layers of chocolate and two layers of filling - peanut butter and a banana filling with slices of banana. The fillings were excellent, but the cake left a lot to be desired.
I prefer the texture of a good scratch cake as well. I like a finer crumb and the "melt in your mouth" feeling you get from the higher butter content.
That said, I'd never turn away a piece of cake made from a mix! 
Bec
I love the texture of scratch cakes. I love Ina Garten's (The Barefoot Contessa) scratch cakes. Her coconut cake and chocolate cakes are to die for. Delicious flavor and a great texture, not to dry, but not overly moist.
There is a Scratch bakers thread going that has a ton of recipes, a lot that look REALLY good. Basically if you're not sure if a cake is dense, you can make it dense by not creaming the butter so much that it gets fluffy (which is what you usually want for a cake's texture).
Also, since you had a red velvet, I have always found that red velvet is kind of mushy (made from scratch). I think it has to do with all that coloring.
This is a recipe I like that is a bit dense: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_18443,00.html?rsrc=search
Hi Lori, Once you make scratch there is no turning back. There are so many great recipes on this site I am sure you will find one that suits your taste. You can also find recipes and then adjust the ingredients to suit your preferred taste, texture. Baking 911.com will also be a great help to a beginner. Just remember that it is not always easy to make a scratch cake! If you do not succeed on the first try do not give up. Keep at it. TAKE NOTES! Also, someone provided advice on how to make scratch cakes the other day. I forgot who posted the info however, I did make a copy of it and I could PM it to you if you would like. I was looking for the thread however I cannot find it. Best of Luck.
I'm embarrassed to say this, but I love the taste and texture of box cakes. In the last few months, I have tried so many yellow cake recipes from scratch and tested them out on family and friends. The number one hit was the "Scratch cake with box qualities" from baking911 and Sylvia Weinstocks classic yellow ( it has a hint of sour cream). I also like Dede Wilson's but for my taste, it definitely requires the syrup wash (it's not as sweet without the syrup).
I've now moved on to my chocolate testing.
!
...That said, I'd never turn away a piece of cake made from a mix!
Bec
You guys are too funny! 
... Also, someone provided advice on how to make scratch cakes the other day. I forgot who posted the info however, I did make a copy of it and I could PM it to you if you would like. I was looking for the thread however I cannot find it. Best of Luck.
Any help with making scratch cakes will be greatly appreciated. I've only ever made box cakes, so I'm both excited and intimidated by the idea of making cakes from scratch. My dad used to bake the best cakes from scratch but I never paid attention when he was making them. I wish I had. Anyway, I'm going to the grocery stoe today and stock up on ingredients!!
Lori D.
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