Dear Cake Central Friends! Hi! I have a doubt. I have to make a cake for a birthday on next Friday. It is a Devil's Food (12-inch) round cake. I have a great recipe for Devil's Food cake. That's NOT the problem. The real problem is that whenever I bake this cake ...I have trouble knowing if it has been baked enough. Sometimes I think that the cake needs a little more time ...like 15 minutes more and when I look at the cake ...it is shrink and over baked. Other times ...I take it out of the oven when I think it is done ...and it is underdone. The thing is that with a cake that is NOT chocolate ...I always know when to take it out of the oven because it is golden in color when it is well done. But with a chocolate cake ..it is difficult because it is so dark ...you don't notice reality when you are going to take it out of the oven. I have tried to insert a toothpick in the center to see if it is well done ...but this cake is very moist and always leaves little liquid and/or cake crumbs when you insert the toothpick ...no matter if it is underdone or if it is overbaked. HELP!!!!! S.O.S.

COCOBY

When you touch the center it should spring back.

I just made ghiradelli's devil's food cake tonight - LOL. I am salivating the crumbs are even so moist and delicious. I am making a whipped ganache for the inside and a ganache for the outside.

I never could figure out the whole toothpick thing. What i did/do is giggle the pan. If it is solid and doesn't move, I lightly touch the middle. If it springs back with light pressure then its done. DONT open and close your oven too much or you will run into trouble there too.

Oh yes, and do do do get those bake even strips or wet a towel and use that. I am telling you, I NEVER have to level a cake and when it bakes, the middle catches up in doneness with the sides.

Good luck.

I just touch my cakes. A quick poke when they start to rise and look done. Even with moist cakes, once you learn the feel you will never have a problem

I always gently touch the top to see if it springs back or if it moves (Like the others). On a second check I do the same, then I use a small wire to put in the center to check if it is done. A toothpick never comes out clean in my chocolate cake either, but the wire works.

Good Luck!

Cocoby, I know what you mean.....I have that same problem every now and then, but I have baked my cake for about 8 to 10 minutes more than what the box says. It has worked for me so far. Somehow chocolate cake takes a little more time than regular cake. Key word being a little more time.

Good luck!

Thanks to all of you! I'm going to try to feel the cake center w my finger. I'm going to make the cake right now ...so I will give you feedback during the day! THANKS!!!! You have been of great HELP!

good luck with your yummy cake cocoby. I'm sure it will work for you