How to Bake a Level Cake

Each layer of a tiered cake must be completely level.

Although homemade cakes taste better than store-bought, they are sometimes a less uniform shape. Homemade cakes often peak in the middle, which can be a problem if you want a level surface to decorate. The problem is caused by the batter nearest the sides of the tin heating up more quickly, and pushing the cooler batter into the middle of the tin. Professional chefs normally slice the very top of the cake off to provide a level surface, but it is still better to get the cake as level as possible first so that there is less wastage. Other problems with homemade cakes include uneven spread of batter in the tin and uneven oven shelves.

Things You'll Need

• Baking tin
• Spoon
• Oven
• Oven gloves
• Knife
• Cooling rack
• Oven thermometer
• Bake even strips (optional)
• Cake leveler or bread knife

Instructions

1. Check the ingredients. Cakes that contain too much leavening agent (baking powder or soda) or too much egg will rise too much in the middle. If you are using kitchen scales, check that they are accurate by weighing an item of known weight, like a can.

2. Check your oven. The oven shelves should be level, or the cake batter will tip towards one side of the tin. Use an oven thermometer to check that the oven is cooking at the correct temperature. Cakes cooked at too hot a temperature rise too quickly and can crack. Do not overfill the oven, as this will stop the air from circulating.

3. Spoon the batter into the cake tin, and push it up against the sides with the back of a spoon. Place the tin on a flat surface, and spin it round a couple of times. This will even out the batter, and also remove any air bubbles.

4. Try bake even strips. Available from cake specialist Wilton, these heat-proof strips are wrapped around the outside of the tin, and prevent it from heating up too quickly.

5. Fix an uneven cake. Wait for it to cool, the run a knife around the edges of the tin and turn out onto a cooling rack until completely cool. Cut the rounded top off, working slowly and carefully, with either a bread knife or a professional cake leveler. Turn the cake upside down so that the cut surface won't dry out, and frost or ice the bottom.

Tips & Warnings

• If you decide to use baking strips, remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

References

• Wilton: Bake Even Strips
• Kitchen Hints and Tips: Uneven Cakes

Resources

• AgBay Products: Cake Leveller