Dry cake, yum! Said no one ever. Dry cake is definitely not a good cake. But just because your cake ended up dry after baking, doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There are plenty of easy-peasy ways to restore moistness in your cake, even after it’s done baking.
Hey, there! My name is Michelle and I have been baking cakes for hundreds of years. Okay, not exactly. But I’ve made enough cakes to know what to do to help a dry one. Hey, even after years of practice, I still end up with a dry cake every once in a while. I’m human!
If you’ve found yourself in the midst of a dried cake disaster, don’t panic. You don’t need to toss the cake in the trash and start from scratch. Whether you’re serving now or later, there are a lot of ways to restore moisture in your cake and make it taste like utter perfection.
Who’s ready to fix their dry cake?
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How to Make a Dry Cake Moist After Baking
Plenty of people are under the impression that when their cake is done baking, that’s it. There is nothing more you can do except frost it and cross your fingers. But that’s simply not the case. You can totally add moisture to your cake after it’s done. It’s easy, too! Here’s how.
1. Simple Syrup
My favorite way to fix a dry cake after baking is to use a simple syrup coating. All you need to do is apply simple syrup to the top of your cake using a brush. You can also inject the simple syrup into the inside of your cake for some added hydration.
You can buy simple syrup from the store or make your own. No, seriously. It’s just boiling equal parts sugar and water. So easy, right? Just let it cool before you apply it to your cake.
You also have the option of buying or making simple syrup infused with other flavors. For example, if I’m making a chocolate cake, I might add some cinnamon to my simple syrup to give the cake more depth with a little kick.
2. Milk
Don’t want to use simple syrup? Okay, fine. Well, I know you have milk hiding in your fridge; after all, you’re baking a cake. But did you know that the same milk can double as a moistening agent for your dried-out cake?
It’s pretty simple. Pour some milk into a shallow bowl. Dip your brush inside and brush the top of your cake. You want a pretty decent amount of milk. It should be present, but not soggy. Let the milk soak into the cake and enjoy a moist, delicious slide of goodness.
3. Bread or Apple
If you’re not looking for instant gratification, then you can also go the low-and-slow route with a piece of white bread or an apple. Um, what? Yes, it’s true – you can bring your cake back to hydrated life by placing it in a bag or box for a few days.
Note: using an apple might add a little apple flavor to your cake. For some, this isn’t a big issue – especially if you’re making a fruity cake. Others might not appreciate apples consuming their cake. So, be careful when choosing the apple method.
4. Microwave Nuke
On the other hand, if you want instant gratification, look no further than the microwave. The microwave sure does come in handy sometimes, doesn’t it?
To perform this method, simply place a wet paper towel on the bottom of your microwave. Then, place your cake on top. Microwave for around 20 seconds or until the paper towel is no longer wet (since the cake has absorbed the moisture).
With this method, you need to eat the cake immediately. The moisture will not hold for longer than around ten minutes.
5. Towel
We might use towels to dry off, but you can use a towel to make your cake moist and delicious once more. This method is only used if you notice your cake is dry right when you take it out of the oven.
If so, simply find a clean and thick towel and place it on top of the cake while it’s cooling. What this does is block any evaporation from leaving the area. The only place the extra moisture has to go is right back into your cake. Science people, science!
6. Fill It Up!
A good, moist filling can sometimes make all the difference for your dried out cake. For example, a raspberry jam filling or a delectable whipped cream can add some serious moisture to your cake.
So, even if your cake wasn’t technically “supposed” to have a filling, it doesn’t mean you can’t add one. The best part is, nobody will know you’re trying to mask dryness. They will be enjoying your moist cake too much!
7. Repurpose It
Sometimes a dried cake just can’t be fixed. Or maybe you don’t want to? Whatever your reason may be, don’t think your cake is destined for the receptacle. You can always opt to repurpose your cake. Here are a few ideas.
- Make cake pops! Everybody loves cake pops
- Create a seriously wet and wild cake bread pudding
- Step out of the box and create cake croutons to put on top of ice cream
- Blend it and make all of your dreams come true with a cake shake
- Say bye to dry with a delectable cake trifle
FAQs
Nobody wants dry cake, but now you know how to combat the issue. If you still want to learn more about how to make a dry cake moist after baking, check out these FAQs.
How do you make a cake moist overnight?
The best way is to take it out of the oven, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and tinfoil, and stick it right in the freezer. This will ensure that the moisture stays within the cake and it will remain fresh and ready the next morning.
What ingredient makes a cake moist?
The ingredient responsible for keeping a cake moist is the fats, such as butter or oil. However, these will not be able to serve their purpose for moisture if you add too much flour or overbake.
What makes a cake light and fluffy?
Fluffiness is all thanks to beating the sugar and butter together. So, when your cake recipe says to “cream” something, I highly recommend you do it!
What’s the secret to a moist cake?
There are a lot of hidden little secrets you can do to ensure a moist cake. Using cake flour, adding sour cream, and avoiding over-mixing and over-baking are a few keys to ultra-moist cakes.
Final Words
So, now you know how to handle your dried out cakes, and all of the methods are pretty simple. As long as you have sugar, milk, a piece of white bread or an apple, you can fix your cake. Or, turn your cake into another dessert entirely and watch everyone’s jaws drop to the floor!
Have you ever baked a dry cake? Did you use one of these methods to fix it or a different one? Share your methods with us below so we can try too.
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