Cake Baking Tips: Making a Cake for Any Occasion

Make a homemade pound cake, learn how to make a sheet cake, and more with these simple tips.

By: Chelsea Scarnegie, Editor, TheBestDessertRecipes.com

Cake Baking Tips

By: Chelsea Scarnegie, Editor, TheBestDessertRecipes.com

We all have a few cake baking tips that have been passed down from generation to generation. Perhaps your grandmother taught you how to make your very first homemade pound cake. Maybe it was your mother who gave you all her secrets to learning how to make a sheet cake moist every time. Don't fret if you've forgotten some of these valuable tips, because we have a few wonderful tips right here in this article. These secrets to making a cake are so perfect that you may never want to share them with anyone else.
Below you will find secrets for making the richest, most moist chocolate pound cake you've ever tasted. You will also find a Southern classic - the sheet cake. With these tips, you can turn an ordinary sheet cake into a Southern Belle's favorite dessert. If you find yourself craving the decadence of a cheesecake, we'll show you how to make a classic cheesecake without the cracks. Not only will your cheesecake also be perfectly level, but it will also be perfectly creamy. Just be sure to do one thing - if you choose to share these cake baking tips with anyone, share them with your kids. In this way, you can claim your legacy as the greatest baker of all time.

Pound Cake Baking Secrets

If you want a chocolate pound cake to be extra tasty, combine milk and cocoa powder in a bowl and boil it in the microwave. This will "open up" the chocolate, which really brings out its flavor.
If a recipe calls for sweet milk, it means to use regular whole milk. The term is just old-fashioned.
To make the batter, sift together any dry goods (except sugar). Set this aside and use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to blend together solid fat and sugar until you can no longer see the sugar granules but can still feel them if you rubbed the mixture between your fingers. Slowly add eggs to the fat by first mixing them together and then adding them to the fat. Turn the mixer on slow in order to mix in the dry goods. Pour the batter into a pan and follow the recipe as usual.
If you're looking for inspiration, this rich, chocolatey Cranberry and Orange Zest Pound Cake is moist and perfect for any gathering.

How to Make a Great Sheet Cake

To make your sheet cake extra moist, use buttermilk or sour cream and bake in a baking sheet. This will give the batter room to spread out, though it will only be an inch tall.
Nuts (especially pecans) or cinnamon can give your sheet cake a more Southern flavor. Coconut is another great addition that will make your cake more memorable.
For the frosting, be sure to add pecans. It is little details like this that will make your cake stand out among others.
This Texas Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting is a homemade cake recipe unlike any other.

Tips for Making a Perfect Cheesecake

All ingredients should be room temperature before the cake is begun.
To start, beat the cream cheese until it is smooth before the other ingredients are added. Be sure not to beat it too much, or the cheesecake may crack. By first beating the cream cheese by itself, you won't have to beat the rest of the batter as much. To ensure that your batter is light like you want it, pay close attention to the recipe's instructions for beating.
Add about 3 tablespoons of flour to the batter. This will also prevent the cheesecake from cracking without changing the texture. Adding flour is also good to ensure that your cheesecake is perfectly level and doesn't rise in the center or edges.
You will fall in love at first bite with this Bailey's Cheesecake Recipe.