How to make cake at home

Making a cake at home can be accomplished through steps such as preparing ingredients, mixing batter, baking and shaping, decorating and embellishing. Making a cake requires basic ingredients such as flour, eggs, sugar, butter, etc., and ingredients such as milk, fruit, or chocolate are added according to taste.

1. Preparation of Ingredients

To make a cake, it is necessary to prepare basic ingredients such as low gluten flour, eggs, white sugar, and salt free butter. Low gluten flour can make the cake taste soft, eggs provide protein and fluffiness, white sugar increases sweetness, and salt free butter gives aroma and moisture. Seasoning such as vanilla extract, lemon juice, or cocoa powder can be added according to personal preferences. Tools such as egg beaters, mixing pots, cake molds, ovens, etc. should be prepared to ensure a smooth production process.

2. Mix batter

Beat softened butter and white sugar until the color becomes lighter, then add eggs in portions and stir evenly. Sift in low gluten flour and baking powder, mix them using cutting and mixing techniques to avoid gluten formation. Adjust the consistency of the batter by adding milk or yogurt according to the formula. If making chocolate cake, you can replace some of the flour with cocoa powder. During the mixing process, be careful not to stir excessively to avoid defoaming the batter and affecting the fluffiness of the finished product.

3. Bake molding

Pour the batter into the mold coated with grease and gently shake to remove large bubbles. Preheat the oven and place it in the middle layer. Adjust the heat up and down to the appropriate temperature. The baking time is adjusted according to the size and thickness of the cake, and a toothpick can be inserted into the center to confirm if it is fully baked. After baking, immediately demold and invert to cool down and prevent shrinkage. Different cakes have different temperature requirements. Sponge cakes require high temperatures to quickly set, while heavy oil cakes are suitable for low-temperature slow baking.

4. Decorative embellishments

Fully cooled cakes can be decorated by applying cream or cheese cream as a layer and outer coating. Use a piping bag to extrude patterns and pair with fresh fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips to enhance aesthetics. Make sure the cake is completely cooled before decorating, otherwise the cream may melt easily. Choose simple or complex shapes according to the occasion. Birthday cakes can add sugar beads or cards, while afternoon tea cakes are mainly in a natural style.

5. Storage Method

Uneaten cakes should be sealed and refrigerated, and cream cakes should be consumed within three days. Heavy oil cakes can be stored at room temperature for a long time, but they need to be protected from direct sunlight. Freezing storage can extend the shelf life, just thaw naturally before consumption. Homemade cakes do not contain preservatives, it is recommended to consume them as soon as possible to ensure the best taste. The refrigerated cake has a better taste when it returns to room temperature.

When making cakes at home, pay attention to the freshness of ingredients and the cleanliness of tools. Accurately weigh the ingredients during the baking process to ensure a success rate. For the first attempt, you can choose simple recipes such as McPherson or Pound Cake, and then challenge complex styles after becoming proficient. Adjusting sugar and ingredients according to family members' tastes can reduce sugar content and increase the proportion of fruits consumed by children. Clean the tools promptly after baking to keep the kitchen clean. Homemade cakes not only control the quality of ingredients, but also adjust the sweetness and nutritional ratio according to demand, making them a healthy and warm family activity.