Cake Baking Tips

Though cookies, cupcakes and other sweets are popular choices for dessert at any celebration, cakes are still the classic go-to. With so many flavors, styles and types, cakes make dessert easy.

Another great reason cakes work so well is because you can make your own from scratch, pick one up at the store in a flash or combine semi-homemade ideas with store brought items.

Tips to Make a Cake from Scratch

Use cake flour, not all-purpose flour. Cake flour is lighter and you'll be able to tell the difference in the cake's texture.

Make sure your baking soda or baking powder is fresh.

Grease your cake pans and then line the bottom with wax paper. Grease over the wax paper and then dust the bottom and sides of the pan with flour. This method will help your cake pop out of the pan with ease.

Place cake pans on the center rack, unless the instructions suggest otherwise, so the cake pans will have an even flow of hot air surrounding them during the baking process. Bonus points if you have a convection oven!

Semi-Homemade Shortcut Tips

Pick up the cake of your choice from the grocery store. The simpler, the better - this way you can customize and decorate.

While you're at the store, pick up decorating gels and icings to decorate the pre-baked cake.

If your cake is already completely made, accent with candy embellishments or fresh sliced fruit (like we do with cheesecakes - no one knows the difference!).