July 2, 2012

Sunken Cake Blues





















My dear husband turned 46 so I whipped up one of my special cakes for him. When I say "special" I really mean more like "special needs." Honestly, I really shouldn't bake things.

Despite the fact that this cake appears to be fine it's actually completely sunken-in in the middle of each layer. I covered the sunkenness with the frosting and blueberries. My baking is so predictably disastrous that I've gotten quite creative in my salvage techniques.

~ Once I made a cake that never rose and came out of the over looking like a large pancake.

~ Once I made a cake that collapsed into an enormous crumb pile as soon as you touched it with your fork. 

~ Several times I've made a cake that completely adhesed to the sides of the pan with barnacle-like strength.

In each of these cases I was using a BOX CAKE and I followed the directions. Is used to cry, now I just laugh and shake my head. The kids shake their heads too and say "Wow, Mom. You've done it again."

15 comments:

  1. Hmmmm... I think you made a good save, 'cause it sure looks pretty.
    In my honor, the children named our 'home bakery: Ugly Delicious!' I have many disasters in my baking history, too!
    No tears, we can laugh together!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh darn-and so soon after the garden incident! It does look lovely and I bet it was delish. Don't let the flops (sorry too strong of a word) the less than perfect attempts deter you-maybe try one from scratch next time? It's great that you can laugh about it-a fun memory with the kids!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you both - yes, I'm definitely finding it rather funny now. It's like I'm defying the odds every time.

    Rebecca - maybe I should try from scratch. I mean it can't get any worse, right?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh no! But the cake looks wonderful and summery and delicious, we'd never have know it sunk if you hadn't told us. I bet it tasted good and that is all that matters. I too have had many a "domestic fail" as my good friend calls them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you can't tell - guess I'm getting good at hiding the "domestic failure" evidence :)

      Delete
  5. Jenny...

    Try following the high altitude instructions on the box next time. You live in Montana....I live in
    Colorado and I always use the high altitude adjustments with great success. And if you're baking from scratch...well add a little more liquid, a bit more flour, and a little less sugar. Usually a no-fail system. Sure looks yummy anyway.
    Happiness to you,
    penny x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Penny. I don't know why I've never done the high altitude adjustments before!! I guess I was thinking you had to be perched in the Alps or something. I will definitely try that next time.

      Delete
  6. Wow! This is one gorgeous cake. Love how you arranged the blueberries and added the pretty greens too.

    Yummy. I may have to try this.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey, Jenny, I made a cake when we lived in Colorado.
    It was angelfood...without wings.... When it came out of the oven it was perfectly puffed up and browned. I tipped it upside down to cool as I normally would and turned my attention to other things until I heard a plop behind me. The whole thing had dribbled out of the pan....
    Your cake, however looks pretty and yummy :) Gracie <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no! Angel food is my favorite kind of cake so that would've made me very sad.

      Delete
  8. Hello - I have nominated you for a Sunshine Award. Details on my blog. Please don't feel you have to take part, tagging is not for everyone, but it's just to say I really like your blog! Gillian x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey thanks Gillian. I'll pop over and check it out. xoxo

      Delete
  9. Your cake looks delicious and I bet it was, sunken or not. Today I made an Ariel (the Little Mermaid) cake as requested by my birthday girl. Note to self - avoid faces on cakes in future. She looked like a drag queen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I laughed so hard when I read this. I can just imagine your daughter's drag queen cake. Oh my. I think you're super brave for trying, (although you're far more of an expert in the kitchen than I am). By the way, my cake was okay tasting, but really not all that great. :\

      Delete

Thank you for your comments. Hearing from you makes my day!