Cooking Tips: Oven temperature for cakes

Be sure to follow the recipe or package directions for setting the oven temperature when cooking a cake, making allowances for pan type, elevation, and any other recipe variations. Also be sure the oven is correctly preheated. (Install an oven thermometer to be sure -- oven temperatures can vary considerably from what appears on the dial.)

If your oven is too hot, this may causes the cake to brown over on top before it has finished rising. As rising continues, the center portion breaks through the crust, which makes the cake lumpy and uneven. On the other hand, if the oven temperature is too cool, bubbles of gas that help the cake to rise and be light may escape, and the resulting cake will be heavy and dense.

Submitted by: Debbie Vincent

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