Delicious Holiday Cake Pointers
This year I won’t be afraid to bake up an array of delicious cakes and desserts. Armed with helpful holiday cake tips, my baking confidence is at an all-time high! If you’re a little nervous about meeting expectations this year, these handy tips will boost your confidence and make your cakes a smashing success.
1. Don’t let your oven get too hot, or it mat “rise” too much in the center. You can solve this problem by using an oven thermometer (hanging from the oven rack) to achieve an accurate temperature reading.
2. Prevent cheesecake “cracking” by coating the sides of your cake pans with cooking spray. As it cools, it will shrink away from the sides of the pans.
3. For a cake that is perfectly flat on top, invert one layer onto another one. It will be flat from the bottom of the cake pan.
4. Simple syrup can be brushed onto baked layers for added moistness. You can flavor it with liquors, espresso or extracts.
5. Slice off the top with a serrated knife, if your layers are higher in the center than appropriate.
6. If your layers are crumbly, frost the cake and freeze it until set. Then you’ll have a smooth and even layer to frost over.
7. Dust your finished cakes with confectioners’ sugar just before serving for a luxurious winter look.
8. Eggshells in the cake batter? No problem. As the cake bakes they will sink to the bottom, and you can remove them easily when you take the cake out of the pan.
9. Decorate your cakes by covering the sides with chopped nuts. They’ll add flavor and crunch.
10. For a quick seasonal touch, dip cranberries in water or egg white then roll in granulated sugar. Allow them to dry for a few hours at room temperature, then arrange on top of the cake.