I am new to this website, but admit I'm addicted!!! I have tried the extender cake recipe twice and both times my edges were very dry. I baked it at 325 for 45 minutes and the middle was not done, so I cooked it for 55 minutes total. I did use a 9 x 13 pyrex dish, greased w/ Crisco and flour. Is the pyrex the problem?

Any suggestions / advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!

Well, I am fairly new myself - but I never try to cook cakes in glass pan (other than something like a dump cake) Also, did you possibly fill the pan to full? I would definately try a metal pan.....hope that will help. Good luck and happy baking!

Any time you bake in glass you need to turn the oven temp down 25 degrees.

Jodie

I don't usually use glass cookware I do find it dries out the cake. I'm sorry I'v never used an extender before so I cannot give you advice there.

Welcome to CC!!!! I think it might be the Pyrex dish. I have never baked anything in a Pyrex dish that didn't have crunchy edges. I use the extender recipe in a metal pan and it has never given me any problems. Hope this helps.

I gearing up for my son's 2nd birthday and want his cake to be perfect. I did buy a big Wilton cake pan for his special day, but it's just too big for practice. I am so happy to hear it's most likely the pyrex. Thank you to all for your quick responses!!!

burgie - how big is your new wilton pan? You may want to consider using a flower nail else you may have the same issue of needing to bake for a long time for the middle to get done. You'll love the extender recipe; I use it all the time (especially with flavored yogurts!).

mjpbmf - yes, its the nail you use for making flowers. Just grease the nail well and place in the middle of the pan before adding your cake batter. When you remove your cake from the pan the nail should come out easily when you flip it over. I only use on pans larger than 9".

snowshoe1 - Thanks so much! I will have to try this next time I bake a "big" cake.

This my be a stupid question, but what is extender recipes?

snowshoe1,

I bought the Wilton 12 x 18 pan for my son's bday. I'm not sure I understand the flower nail concept. Is this to help the center pop out of the pan when you flip it or does this help heat the center when baking? I'm sorry, I guess I'm REALLY new to this and I don't understand.

What temp and length of bake time do you recommend for the extender recipe and for this size?

My son's bday is August 17, so I've got a little time to learn a few more tricks. Thanks again!

cakes only,

You can find the extender cake recipe in the recipe section of this website. It was ranked high, so I just gave it a shot. You add ingredients to a prepackaged box and it makes a higher 9 x 13 cake.

Burgie- Thanks

I have made cake strips out of a towel - simply cut the towel into strips, wet, and wrap around the cake pan - secure with a safety pin or one of those clamp-style paper clips. This prevents the sides from baking before the rest of the cake does.