We asked baking icon and national treasure Dame Mary Berry for her ultimate cake baking tips, so that whether you’re planning a classic Victoria sponge or a tangy lemon drizzle, you’ll have all the insider knowledge to help it turn out perfectly.
Mary Berry’s top 10 baking tips for perfect cakes every time
1. Weigh the ingredients carefully
You wouldn’t believe how much can go wrong just because ingredients have been weighed incorrectly. If you’re just a little bit out it can have a catastrophic effect on flavour and consistency, yet it’s one of the easiest things to get right. Just concentrate at the start because any errors will only be amplified going forward!
Check out our review of the best kitchen scales to buy to invest in a good new set to help you.
2. Take the recipe as a pretty full guide, but not an absolute blueprint
Sure, in terms of measuring out ingredients it should be uniform, but the way you knead cake dough, the instruments you use and particularly the strength of your oven will all have slightly differing effects on what you make. With that in mind, make your own comments on recipes so that you’ll know for next time how your process and equipment affects the final product.
3. Embrace any equipment that makes baking easier
It sounds so obvious, but some people turn their noses up at the use of a gadget. Why? If a processor creates a better finished product than doing things by hand and saves you time and effort in the process, then I say ‘go for it’! There are enough parts of the process that will require manual skill, so you may as well save time where possible. And when people judge what you’ve made, they’re judging the flavour and texture, not what they see in the washing up bowl.
Visit our reviews section for expert buyer’s guides on 400+ pieces of equipment, from the best stand mixers to the best baking trays.
4. Keep a close eye on how much baking powder you add
Particularly, when adding too much, you’ll find yourself with something that rises and falls quickly, and will end up drying out the cake. It’s a fantastic ingredient, but it needs to be treated with respect!
5. Don’t rush the process of cake baking
If you’ve an hour to do a job that should take 70 minutes, don’t attempt it. Do it another day when you have more time. If I’m racing against the clock, I always try to allow 25% extra time to any bake, because you never know when something may need to be redone. Like most things in life, rushing the process only leads to disappointment.
6. Ensure you’re using the right type of tin
Different cakes require different tins depending on the ingredients and how quickly you want the heat to get to the mix. Don’t assume that just because you’ve got an expensive tin it will be the right one for what you’re baking. Read the recipe properly and don’t start something until you know you have the right equipment.
7. Don’t put yourself under pressure by worrying about onlookers
If you’re baking in a busy environment, or have friends to stay who are watching over your every move, ask them for a few minutes where you can concentrate on what you’re doing. Baking can be tricky enough as it is, without the need for multitasking!
8. Don’t let the ‘toothpick trick’ be your only guide
Although I do like this test, if the cake is not a golden colour, it’s not cooked. It would be better to combine this test, with a check of the colour, and even by placing a hand on top of the cake. If it pushes down and springs back, then the cake is ready. If not, you’ll need to put it back in the oven for longer.
9. To create a thick and uninterrupted layer of icing, brush the cake mixture with a jam coating first
This seals the cake and acts as a base for icing to be added, meaning a constant top level that doesn’t have bits of cake or crumbs lurking within.
10. A high fat content is essential in the butter or margarine you choose to use
I always aim at over 75%. The problem with lower fat spreads and butters is they have a higher water content. When it evaporates it causes layers bind together in your mix. In the UK we tend to always have high fat content so it’s not usually a problem, but it’s always worth checking your ingredients.
Our favourite cake recipe inspiration
Top 10 most popular cake recipes
Best birthday cakes for kids
10 best ever apple cake recipes
7 moreish mug cake recipes
15 best-ever chocolate cake recipes
