I feel like I have the silliest questions, but I guess that's what being a beginner is all about.
I have almost exclusively used cake mixes, I would like to try from scratch cakes because of the endless varieties. However my hesitation is taht the from scratch cakes I've tried have been SO dry and dense. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the continued help

I've been making scratch cakes for about 4 years and just recently I've looked at mix cakes. Personally I like scratch cakes. They have that rich homemade flavor that you can't get from a mix.

I found that if the scratch cake has a lot of oil in it, it will be moist. I've received TONS of compliments on a carrot cake and it calls for a 1.25 C of oil. I do notice a slight difference in the type of oil used. Nut oils are the best, but cost the most.

Have you tried "The Cake Mix Doctor"? There is also one out for strictly chocolate cakes. The "Bride's Cake" is a really good one to use. That recipe is in "The Cake Mix Doctor". I too have run across the "dry" issue making from scratch. Plus there's also the issue of what size cake pan does one scratch recipe fill. Just experiment and things will work out great.


Amy

I do both, some recipes are scatch like red velvet and carrot cake. Since I have got the cake mix doctor I love it and you can't tell that it's cake mix.

Like many others I do use a box mix and doctor it up to my specifications. They are great and the Cake mix Doctor is a wonderful book. When it comes to cakes like Red Velvet, Carrot, Italian Cream etc... I most definately do scratch. More expensive to make but you can't beat the taste.

where can you get this book? i assume it's a book, right? "the cake mix doctor!

Go to http://www.cakemixdoctor.com/ and they have a link to amazon.com.




***Edit note, try click on the link again- the system was putting the comma that I had put in my sentenence in the address field; I took it out so it should work now.

They also have it on Ebay. Just watch out for the shipping costs.

.....or if you don't want to wait for shipping, just go to a bookstore and get it. Good luck! Happy baking!!!


Amy

well, first i tried going to the website and i can't-it says page cannot be displayed. second-since i'm in italy, the only english bookstore is on the base which is very limited. so i guess i'll have to try ebay.

Well shucks!!!!! Had I read properly under your screen name I would have known. Yeah, try ebay. Good luck and BTW, I love the cakes you have done, especially the going away one you just did for your friends.


Amy

i finally got to the website. it's great. i think i'm going to buy the book. i'll try amazon.com and ebay. thanks all!