Are your cakes too dry, sunken, or cracked? Learn the top 5 common cake baking mistakes beginners make — and how to fix them like a pro.
🍰 Introduction
We’ve all been there: you followed a recipe step by step, but the cake came out dry, uneven, or worse — collapsed. At Dilovens House, we teach students not just how to bake, but how to avoid mistakes that ruin results. Whether you’re a beginner or improving your skills, here are the 5 most common cake baking mistakes — and how to avoid them.
1. ❌ Overmixing (or Undermixing) the Batter
What Happens:
- Overmixing: The cake turns out dense and chewy.
- Undermixing: Ingredients are uneven, with lumps or a streaky texture.
Why:
Mixing develops gluten — good for bread, but not cake!
Fix:
✅ Mix just until the ingredients combine and there’s no dry flour. Use a spatula to gently fold if needed.
2. 🔥 Incorrect Oven Temperature
What Happens:
- Cake is raw inside but brown outside.
- Cake collapses in the middle.
- Overcooked or dry edges.
Why:
Most ovens are inaccurate by 10–20°C, especially older ones.
Fix:
✅ Use an oven thermometer to monitor true temperature. Always preheat the oven fully before placing your cake inside.
✅ Bonus: Place the pan on the center rack — it ensures even heat.
3. 🧊 Using Cold Ingredients
What Happens:
- Butter won’t cream properly.
- Batter curdles or separates.
- Cakes rise unevenly.
Why:
Cold ingredients won’t blend well, affecting texture and baking chemistry.
Fix:
✅ Bring eggs, butter, and milk to room temperature at least 30 minutes before baking.
4. 🥄 Measuring Ingredients Incorrectly
What Happens:
- Dry or crumbly cakes.
- Sinking or over-rising.
Why:
Too much flour or too little fat/sugar alters the cake’s chemistry.
Fix:
✅ Weigh ingredients using a kitchen scale — professional bakers never guess.
✅ For dry ingredients: sift before measuring and level off with a flat edge.
5. 🚪 Opening the Oven Too Early
What Happens:
- Cake sinks in the middle.
- Uneven top or cracked crust.
Why:
Opening the door lets out hot air, dropping the oven’s temperature suddenly.
Fix:
✅ Don’t open the oven for the first 20–25 minutes of baking.
Use the oven light if you want to peek!
💡 Bonus Mistake: Not Letting the Cake Cool Properly
Even if baked perfectly, removing the cake too early from the pan or icing while warm can ruin everything.
✅ Let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
✅ Only ice or decorate once the cake is fully cool.
🎓 Want to Bake Better Every Time?
At Dilovens House, we help beginners avoid mistakes through hands-on training. Our courses cover:
- Baking basics
- Sugar flowers
- Cake decorating
- Business skills for cake sales