FOOD NEWS
The Tea Towel Hack For Achieving Excellent Baked Cake Layers
By Harriette Halepis
To achieve perfectly baked cake layers with even, flat tops for easier decorating, you can wrap your cake pans in moist fabric while baking.
You can use heat-proof fabric strips, pre-made "cake strips," or a wet tea towel wrapped around the pan. This ensures consistent results and a perfect cake shape.
A domed cake results from cold batter in a cold metal pan that's placed in a hot oven. The cake will heat unevenly since the middle will take a longer time to rise.
Wrapping the pan in strips of soaked material is the easiest way to avoid uneven layers, and any fabric that's not pre-treated or made from synthetic materials will work.
Soak the cloth for a few minutes, wring out excess water, then wrap it around the sides of the pan and secure it with a knot.