Using Push Down Method Makes A Dense Cake?
Decorating By Glitterkitti Updated 28 Mar 2013 , 12:31pm by Bluehue
I wanted to try the "push down' method where you push down on the top of a freshly baked cake to level it. I then froze the cakes and now when i defrosted it, it's really hard and dense. is it from the pushing down? has anyone else had this happen?
I don't know about the hardness, but pushing down on the cake will make it denser. After all, where is it the uneven part supposed to go? Maybe someone can give you advice on the hardness.
I too, had tried the "push down"method and yes it DID make the cake more dense. I stopped doing it and am back to leveling the cakes.
I've never understood the idea of pushing down on a cake to level it. It has to change the density and texture.
I always wondered why the #$*& someone would push down the top of a cake. That's like mashing a marshmallow down, it would just compress it.
It does not make any sense to me either. If the cake still takes up the same width but less height then you must be expelling the air out of your cake and their goes your lightness. Level. Then save your scraps (if you don't want to eat them on the spot) and make cake pops or something with them.
I read a suggestion on here a while back about putting something on top of the cake after you tort and fill the cake (wrapped in saran wrap, of course) to help level the cake and to make sure there would be no bulges. Can't remember who made the suggestion but there was a whole thread about it. Does that fall into this same category? I don't remember tasting or noticing any difference in the cake, but maybe that was just me. You don't put a really heavy tile or whatever on the cake, but something is placed on top of it.
Many suggestions on here are not valid. It's like the commercial with the girl and her french model boyfriend...they can't put anything that isn't true on the internet...bon joor!
ADensity is mass/volume. If you have the same mass (weight) and smash it down to a smaller volume you will increase the density. Simple physics! After years of testing to find those perfectly tasty and light textured recipes you certainly won't catch me mashing down my cakes. That's why some awesome person created the Agbay. The tile weight is for filled cooled cakes. The idea is to apply a weight equal to the anticipated weight of the fondant to let the filling settle and do its squishing out before putting the fondant on. It's to prevent those unsightly fondant bulges. At least that's my take on it!
Originally Posted by Gerle
One would never do this to a Sponge cake of course.
I read a suggestion on here a while back about putting something on top of the cake after you tort and fill the cake (wrapped in saran wrap, of course) to help level the cake and to make sure there would be no bulges.
Yes this is correct... we have been doing it for years with our Mud Cakes...BUT you never ever wrap it them in glad wrap after you have torted and filled the layers... that would defeat the purpose. .
Can't remember who made the suggestion but there was a whole thread about it. Most cakers who bake mud cakes do this.... but at the end of the day - each to their own.
Does that fall into this same category? No, how could it - sqishing down a warm cake and levelling out a cold filled and torted cake is completely different.
I don't remember tasting or noticing any difference in the cake, but maybe that was just me. Agree...I haven't noticed any difference in the taste of a cake after levelling it out with a tile.... You don't put a really heavy tile or whatever on the cake, but something is placed on top of it. Yes, you place a heavy Tile on the top of the cake.... Ceramic tiles are heavy... otherwise there would be no point in doing it.
Many have never tried baking a proper Mud cake - let alone placing a tile on top to level and expel the excess air.....
I would never do this to a Victoria Sponge or Carrot Cake...but for Mud Cakes...most certainly.
Bluehue
A dense cake is usually easier to cut = no crumbling.
Another good thing about a Mud Cake, they are always moist.
Bluehue
Yummm...I made my first mud cake a couple a weeks ago. It was so delicious. Sorry to get off topic guys. :) I just wish I had some mud cake right now.
The push down method does not make your cakes dense. I use the push down method with my cakes straight from the oven only when my cakes have a belly,etc. I too freeze my cakes from time to time and never have a problem. You first must allow your cake to cool before freezing and also to prevent your cake from getting hard or dry you must also wrap cake with plastic wrap or saran wrap. To thaw the cake leave the cake wrapped in the plastic do not remove until cake is thawed this will keep the mositure in.
Actually, my Wilton instructor told us to gently push on the surface when the cake first comes out of the oven, only for a slight bulge, not to squish down a giant dome! I don't make tons of cakes, but people always tell me my cakes are yummy. So I guess I haven't made them too dense and hard!
ADome aside. To prevent bulging I tort and fill my cakes, then either wrap them & place in the fridge or leave them out covered with a cake circle, and let them rest overnight. Sometimes I add a magazine if I need to speed up the process, this allows the cakes to settle which prevents bulging. I learned this from Melissa and BeBe from 'My Cake School' awesome tips and tutorials, videos and message boards for $30/year!
If you get a slight rise in the middle of the cake - press down on it - honestly, its not going to make the cake dense - or alter the taste or texture.
People all around the world have been doing it for 100's of years.....
Just because its a new thing for some - doesnt mean its wrong or dangerous or stupid...
You will probably find most have never done it but speak as experts.... they just prefer to slice off the top of the cake.... each to their own - there is no right - no wrong.
Bluehue
My Wilton instructor also said to push down lightly on the Cale as soo as it comes out of the oven. All my cakes are not dense.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%