How to Make a Cake Moist
There are many steps in the cake-baking process where things can go awry. Follow these three simple guidelines for a moist cake.
1. Use Ingredients Called For and Measure Carefully
What makes a cake moist? Precision, for one. Baking requires using exactly the ingredients called for. For example, some cakes use milk, buttermilk (or an acceptable substitute), or sour cream for liquid. These ingredients are not interchangeable. The same goes for oil, butter, or shortening; use exactly what’s called for. When butter is listed be sure to use real butter and not a substitute; substitutes contain water, which will not give the same tender crumb as the fat from the butter. What about baking soda and baking powder? Nope, they aren’t interchangeable either. Following the ingredient list to the letter is the key to making a moist cake. Measuring your ingredients properly can also help you achieve a moist cake. For example, too much flour can cause a dry cake. Buy It: OXO Angled Liquid Measuring Cup, 2-cup ($11, Target)
2. Follow Exact Mixing Steps
Another secret to a moist cake is to follow the exact steps in the recipe (we know, it sounds like a no-brainer). That means following all beating times given and using the utensil called for. Some cakes are beaten with a KitchenAid Artisan 5-qt. Stand Mixer ($400, Bed Bath & Beyond) or a handheld mixer ($35, Bed Bath & Beyond) while some are simply stirred together with a wooden spoon. For a moist cake, follow the recipe to the letter!
3. Avoid Overbaking
Baking a cake for too long or at too high a temperature can also cause a dry cake. Follow these baking steps to avoid a dry cake.
Preheat your oven at least 10 minutes, and use an oven thermometer ($7, Target) to make sure that the oven reaches the proper temperature. If you’re using dark cake pans, reduce the oven temperature called for in your recipe by 25°F. Start checking cake doneness after the recipe’s stated minimum baking time.
How to Make a Box Cake Moist
All the secrets to moist cake mentioned above also apply to boxed cake mixes. Following those tips should result in a tender, moist cake from a box. Our Test Kitchen put some other tricks to the test and found one more tip to make your boxed two-layer cake mix turn out especially moist. Add ½ cup of mayo (yes, mayo!) to the batter when mixing. The mayo doesn’t replace anything, it’s just an addition. And don’t worry: The flavor wasn’t impacted by this small amount being added. It gave the cake noticeable moistness. The only difference we find is the volume of batter in the pans was a little less high and fluffy. Alternatively, some recipes (like this butterscotch marble cake recipe) call for adding pudding to a boxed cake mix to make it even more rich and moist.
How to Make a Cake More Moist: Poke Cake
There are moist cakes, and then there are poke cakes (which are some of the moistest cakes ever!). Sometimes called poke hole cake, a poke cake has holes poked in it after baking, usually with the handle of a wooden spoon or skewer. Then, a liquid is poured over the baked cake to soak into the holes. Follow our step-by-step directions for making poke cake and then experiment with your own fillings like caramel, melted peanut butter sweetened condensed milk, pudding, or pureed fruit. With each of these must-have cake tips, you’ll never serve another dry cake. Moist chocolate cake recipes, red velvet cakes, pound cakes—you name it—you now know how to make all of them stay tender and moist through the whole baking process.
