Bake a Better Cake: 3 tips to “cake” it to the next level

Ever wonder why your cake never turns out as good as grandma used to make? Box mix just not doing it for you?

Don't Worry! Everything Cake is here to help you.

Cake can be tricky. There is precise measurements and flavors to blend and...how long do I mix for? How hot does the oven need to be? I don't have all the ingredients, so can I use a substitute?

Here are 3 of our best tips for baking the best cake! Even Betty Crocker herself will be jealous!

1. Don't Over-Bake It

There is a fine line between baking the cake too long and not baking it enough. Obviously you don't want a liquified middle. The cake will fall. Aim for 2-3 minutes below the recommended cooking time. Some ovens tend to bake cakes faster...others, not so much. Starting with a lower bake time will give you time to evaluate how much longer the cake might need before it's done. Take it out and check it with a toothpick or fork! You should aim for a soft center and lightly darkened top. This allows the cake to finish cooking in the pan.

2. Mix Ingredients at Room Temperature

Mixing too-cold ingredients can be difficult. Using ingredients at room temperature allows for a more complete and even mixture. It also allows for less work and less mess! Who likes cleaning up?

3. Use Melted Butter Instead of Oil

Sure, it may cost you more calories...but what's a few more? Butter keeps the cake moist longer while giving the cake a richer taste. Your fellow cake-eaters will love the addition. Be careful! It's addicting! Once you use this tip, you'll never go back to oil again!

Beyond the Recipe Card - Mother's Day Inspiration

Mother's Day Baking Inspiration

Mother's Day is less than a month away, so it's time to start thinking about what to give Mom! Personally, I think gifts you make yourself are the best, and they're always my mom's favorites too. So why not do a little labor of love this year and bake your mom something special for Mother's Day? To go beyond the recipe card, I've shared some of my mom's favorite desserts to give you ideas, but you can't go wrong with any homemade dessert for Mom!

Cinnamon Crumb Cake

Cinnamon and brown sugar are staple baking ingredients in my household, and a cinnamon crumb cake is the perfect combination of them! It's super easy to make, and the result is a light, buttery cake that crumbles in the most delicious way. If

your mom likes lighter, not-too-sweet desserts, this is the way to go.

Cake Balls

Got a little more time on your hands to bake? Cake balls are a yummy option. They're super customizable, so you can make them with your mom's favorite kind of cake, favorite frosting, and favorite colors (for the candy melts). You can also turn them into cake pops if you have some lollipop sticks!

Caramel Brownies

A personal favorite for my mom, a chocolate-lover, is caramel brownies. Rich, fudgy brownies with a gooey caramel center? Sign us up! They're surprisingly easy to make and will leave everyone wanting more. If your mom also is a big fan of chocolate, this is a great way to show her some love on Mother's Day!

Beyond the Recipe Card - Baking Preparation

I recently made a Lemon-Blueberry Loaf to celebrate the start of spring, since those flavors have always reminded me of springtime. As I was baking I realized, there are a lot of things that I do that go beyond what the recipe card I am following says. This inspired me to share with you the things I do when I am baking that go "Beyond the Recipe Card."

Setting Out the Ingredients

The first thing I do when I begin my baking process is to set out all of the ingredients on the counter. Whenever I recently did this I realized I had forgotten to buy milk and had to take a quick trip to the grocery store. Thankfully I realized this before I had begun the baking process where the milk had to be added into the batter in batches.

Setting Out the Measuring Cups

After I set out the ingredients, I set out all of the measuring cups I am going to need next to their relative ingredients so that I don't have to panic looking for the 1/2 teaspoon in the middle of baking.

Re-read the Whole Recipe Card

Next, right before I begin putting ingredients together, I re-read the whole recipe card to make sure I have all of the ingredients and have an idea of what the baking process will look like. This is the most important step because it makes the whole process a "piece of cake," if you have an idea of what you're doing before you begin.

Do Some Dishes

After you place your cake in the oven and set the timer, it can be tempting to sit on the couch to wait. However, i've found that this is the best time to do dishes. Not only do you get those dirty dishes from mixing your ingredients out of the way, but it makes the time go by faster as you anxiously await your cake's completion.

I hope these tips help you prepare for the next time you do some baking as I have learned a lot of these things the hard way! Remember, baking always goes beyond the recipe card.