Baking quick questions

mrbadexample

debtmess wrote: »

looks nice x silly question but did you open door when cooking ? i don't make many big cakes anymore (lazy i know)

Recipe said 150°C for 1 hour. I could see after 50 minutes that it hadn't risen properly. Opened the door to check, and it was done, but looked like that already.

debtmess

hmm on another thought

can you decorate in anyway ? but do agree with what Lostinrates has said x im sure many people would love to receive a cake baked by another (i know i would )

jamsandwhich

It sounds to me like a temperature problem - maybe your thermostat is not working properly or the element is on it's way out? Have you changed any of your ingredients or, if you use bicarb or baking powder is it out of date or been opened a while as this makes it perform less well?

I think it looks fine - proper home-made!

jackieglasgow

I would say if you haven't banged the door, and the kitchen isn't freezing/steamy, then it could be your mix is too wet, are you measuring very carefully? Post the recipe please.

mrbadexample

lostinrates wrote: »

Why can't you give it away looking like that? It looks like it was made with good wishes and precious time to me! I'd receive it gratefully.

It's for a birthday cake, and it looks awful. I'd just be embarrassed to give that to someone. "Happy Birthday, here's a really rubbish cake."

funkymonkey849

Just slap a load of icing on top

No other advice sorry

jackieglasgow

150 is a low temperatur for baking, do you have a fan oven? Is it working properly do you think?

jackieglasgow

make two crap ones and slice them in the middle and stick the good halves together with some additional icing?

mrbadexample

jamsandwhich wrote: »

It sounds to me like a temperature problem - maybe your thermostat is not working properly or the element is on it's way out? Have you changed any of your ingredients or, if you use bicarb or baking powder is it out of date or been opened a while as this makes it perform less well?

I think it looks fine - proper home-made!

Well, the oven's old, and a bit ropy, but I've never actually checked the thermostat.

I did change some of the ingredients, but it happened before anyway. The recipe is this one. I asked last night about changing the ingredients, but no-one replied <sniff>.

I used treacle instead of Golden Syrup, and 150g flour + 75g oatmeal instead of 225g flour.

The mixture was perhaps a little thicker than usual (because of the oats?). I tried really hard not to overwork it - just used the mixer on the lowest speed until it was just mixed.

I don't think the changes to the recipe are responsible (at least not entirely), as I've made it before exactly as per the recipe, and that sunk too. Funnily enough, the first one I made (pictures in the thread) came out perfectly.

jackieglasgow

I checked my bible, and the main reasons for parkin sinking are, too hot, not cooked when removed from oven, or too much sugar in.