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Home > Taste of Home Community > Community Forums > Recipes > Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?

Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?

Last post Dec 06, 2007 8:24 AM by zingara18 . 10 replies.


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    • Not Ranked
    Joined: May 2007
    Posts: 20
    Posted: Dec 05, 2007 6:37 PM in Recipes
    Post # 1
    Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    I've tried different pans but my 9x13 sheet cakes always rise much higher in the middle than on the sides. The sides seem to shrink down. Anyone have a solution. Thanks.
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    Zingara18
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    • Not Ranked
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posts: 11
    Reply Posted: Dec 05, 2007 6:50 PM in Recipes
    Post # 2
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    I have always wondered the very same thing... can't wait to see the answer. Thanks for asking!
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    • Not Ranked
    Joined: Dec 2006
    Posts: 2,827
    Reply Posted: Dec 05, 2007 6:53 PM in Recipes
    Post # 3
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    If you take narrow strips of terry toweling, and wet them; pin around the outside of your pan. It keeps the edges cooler, and the center and edges cook at the same time, rising more evenly.
    Yep, easier to just trim the top, then flip your cake on it's top. Then frost what had been the bottom of the cake.
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    • Not Ranked
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    Posts: 304
    Reply Posted: Dec 05, 2007 6:56 PM in Recipes
    Post # 4
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    The sides of the pan bake more quickly because they are hotter than the middle (I think). Wilton makes some strips that velcro around the outside of the pan - I think you soak them in water first, to promote more even heating throughout the pan. I have also heard that you should reduce your oven temperature 25 degrees and bake a little longer too. Haven't tried either method though...
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    Reply Posted: Dec 05, 2007 6:59 PM in Recipes
    Post # 5
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    I had a friend who owned a bakery and she said don't preheat the oven, that makes the center rise. It has always worked well for me.
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    • Not Ranked
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    Reply Posted: Dec 05, 2007 7:00 PM in Recipes
    Post # 6
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    I guess I did not answer your actual question. The edges of the cake bake first. When each part of the cake gets done, it no longer rises. Since the center of the cake is the last to be finished baking, it rises the most.
    The same thing happens in cupcakes and round pans. It just does not seem so obvious.
    Brownies are a heavier bar, and do not rise as much as a cake, so that is not as much of an issue.
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  • Illinois
    • Top 100 Contributor
    Joined: Feb 2006
    Posts: 16,413
    Reply Posted: Dec 05, 2007 7:01 PM in Recipes
    Post # 7
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    Yes, that's the answer...The outside is hotter and bakes faster than the middle...I cut strips of an old terry cloth towel , soak wet in water..squeeze out and use safety pins to pin the strips around the outside of the cake pan....any size cake pan....You will get a flat cake this way...I just reuse my strips...Works fantastic....Got this hint years ago from a cake decorating classes I took.... terry bathroom or kitchen towels work...
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  • Southeast WI
    • Top 500 Contributor
    Joined: Dec 2003
    Posts: 5,187
    Reply Posted: Dec 05, 2007 7:33 PM in Recipes
    Post # 8
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    When I took cake decorating, we were told to put your batter in the pan, then make an "X" in it from corner to corner and it would not be as high in the middle. The "X" redistributes the batter so that the middle is not quite as deep and the edges -- producing a cake that is more even. This especially needs to be done with chocolate cake.

    Hope this helps!
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    Southeast WI
    • Top 500 Contributor
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    Reply Posted: Dec 05, 2007 7:38 PM in Recipes
    Post # 9
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    Possibly should clarify the "X" part -- make the "X" with the flat side of your spatula -- not the edge.

    :)
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    ♂♂ = Love

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    A strong man stands up for himself, a stronger man stands up for others. -the movie Barnyard

    It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived!

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    • Top 500 Contributor
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    Reply Posted: Dec 05, 2007 8:27 PM in Recipes
    Post # 10
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    I made wedding cakes for years using the wet ,cold, terry strips to make the layers rise evenly. Always worked for me. But then I got the Wilton strips, much easier. And always use shiney pans so the cake doesn't get brown on sides and bottom.
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    Reply Posted: Dec 06, 2007 8:24 AM in Recipes
    Post # 11
    RE: Why do my sheet cake raise so high in the middle?
    Thanks everyone for the great tips. I'm off to bake my grandsons a cake!
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    Zingara18