FAQs
Adding extra wet ingredients like yoghurt or sour cream can really help your cake retain moisture, especially if you're cooking with chocolate which is notorious for drying out a bake.
How do I make my box cake more moist? ›
Add Milk, Coffee, or Soda
Boxed cakes often call for water, but swapping it out for equal amounts of milk, coffee, or even soda will give you a moister, more tender, and flavorful cake.
What is the best way to keep a cake moist after baking? ›
When left out at room temperature without any covering, a baked cake—even a frosted cake—dries out quickly. A better way to store cake is to cover it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. This seals in moisture and prevents air from drying out the cake. Store cupcakes in an airtight container.
How do bakers get their cakes so moist? ›
Many professional bakers turn to simple syrup to help keep cakes moist until they are assembled and iced. To make your simple syrup, combine equal parts water and granulated sugar and heat on the stove, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Then set it aside to cool.
How do you keep Betty Crocker cake moist? ›
A. To keep your cake from getting dry or crumbly, use all the eggs called for in the package directions and use large eggs, rather than small ones. If you're not sure what size eggs you have, measure them: 3 whole large eggs equals 2/3 cup; 3 egg whites equals 1/2 cup. Also, don't leave out the oil!
What does adding an extra egg to cake mix do? ›
Because eggs help build the cake's structure (don't use them and you're looking at a gooey mess), adding an extra egg yolk makes the cake batter denser. Translation: you'll have a moister confection. Conversely, she suggests an extra egg white for a fluffier cake.
Why are my box cakes always dry? ›
The ratio of wet to dry ingredients determines a cake's moisture level. If there's simply too much flour and not enough butter, a cake will taste dry. On the other hand, if there's too much milk and not enough flour, a cake will taste too wet. Finding the right balance between wet and dry ingredients is key.
What do bakers put on cakes to keep them moist? ›
So even though the cake might be moist and sweet enough the first day, the simple syrup helps ensure that the cake will still be moist the day it will be eaten. Brushing a cake with syrup adds moistness and flavor, especially if you've used something interesting in the syrup.
What makes a cake moist and fluffy? ›
Seven Bakery Secrets to Incredibly Moist Cakes Every Time
- Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk.
- Add Vegetable Oil.
- Use Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding Mix.
- Use the Right Recipe.
- Don't Overbake.
- Bake in Sheet Pans Instead of individual Cake Pans.
- Use a Simple Syrup or Glaze.
Fortunately, that's easier than it sounds. A dry cake is usually the result of one of the following pitfalls: using the wrong ingredients, making mistakes while measuring or mixing the batter, or baking the cake too long or at too high a temperature.
USE VEGETABLE OIL. While butter undoubtedly imparts excellent flavor, vegetable oil can really elevate a cake when it comes to moisture. Replacing butter with vegetable oil in your cake recipes typically yields moist results.
What makes a cake more moist, oil or butter? ›
Replacing the water from the butter with oil means there's more fat left in the cakes to ensure tenderness. It also coats the flour uniformly, which keeps the layers from being tough even if the batter is overbeaten.
What does adding applesauce to cake do? ›
Applesauce acts much like the fat. It keeps the flour protein from mixing completely with the wet ingredients and forming a rubbery, dense texture. This is what does applesauce do in baking.
Are Betty Crocker cakes better with milk or water? ›
The milk adds fat, which results in a better flavor and density in your cake. If you want to make your cake extra rich, swap out the milk for buttermilk. Because buttermilk is extra thick, use a few more tablespoons than the recipe calls for.
How do you make a box cake taste like it came from the bakery? ›
8 Ways To Make Boxed Cake Mix Taste Homemade
- Swap Oil for Melted Butter.
- Exchange Water for Dairy.
- Enhance With Extracts.
- Incorporate Sour Cream or Mayo.
- Add Nuts.
- Make Homemade Frosting.
- Layer With Fillings.
- Turn it into a Poke Cake.
Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise. Adding a dollop of mayonnaise to your batter can help make your freshly baked cake softer with an added boost of moisture.
What makes cake rise and moist? ›
Leavening Agents
Breads, cakes, cookies, and nearly all baked goods require a leavening agent. These are the key ingredients that make a cake rise. There are two types of leavening agents, chemical (baking soda and baking powder) and biological (yeast).
How do you add moisture to cake layers? ›
A cake soak is liquid that is brushed directly onto each cake layer after baking but before frosting and filling. The liquid “soaks” into the cake, adding more moisture to prevent the cake from drying out and infusing additional flavor and/or sweetness. A variety of liquids can be used as a cake soak.
