
Wedding cakes are often large and take a long time to eat, so it's important to know how to keep them from drying out. There are a few ways to prevent this from happening, including storing the cake with a peeled apple under a cloche on a cake stand, or using a sheet of parchment paper to act as a hydrophobic barrier. It's also important to make sure the cake is stored in an airtight container and that it's not overmixed, as this can cause a build-up of gluten which can make the cake dry.
How to keep a wedding cake from drying out
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Storage | Store the cake in an airtight container, such as a cake keeper |
Temperature | Make sure the oven is pre-heated and reaches the correct temperature |
Baking | Check the cake with a cake tester and only remove from the oven when it comes out clean |
Ingredients | Don't skimp on the oil or other liquids in the recipe |
Mixing | Avoid overmixing the cake mixture to prevent a build-up of gluten |
Covering | Use parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap to cover the exposed cake |
Moisture | Store the cake with a peeled apple under a cloche to add moisture to the environment |
What You'll Learn
Store the cake in an airtight container
Storing your wedding cake in an airtight container is one of the best ways to prevent it from drying out. You can buy purpose-made cake keepers that do the job really well. It's important to make sure the cake has cooled completely before you store it.
To add extra protection, you can use parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap. Cut the paper or wrap to roughly fit the area of exposed cake you need to cover, then fold and press it onto the exposed cake. This acts as a hydrophobic barrier, keeping moisture inside the layers of your cake.
If you want to add more moisture to the environment, you can try storing the cake with a peeled apple under a cloche on a cake stand. The apple acts as a natural humidifier, but be aware that fruit can attract flies, even under a cloche.
You can also prevent dryness by not skimping on oil or using alternatives like apple sauce when making the cake. Overmixing your cake mixture can also cause dryness, as it can lead to a build-up of gluten.
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Use parchment paper to cover the exposed cake
There are several ways to prevent a wedding cake from drying out. One method is to use parchment paper to cover the exposed cake. Cut the parchment paper to roughly fit the area of exposed cake you need to cover, then fold and press it onto the exposed cake. This acts as a hydrophobic barrier, keeping moisture inside the layers of your cake. Wax paper or plastic wrap can also be used in place of parchment paper.
If you want to avoid using paper or plastic, you can store the cake in an airtight container. Purpose-made cake keepers are available to buy and do a good job of keeping cakes fresh.
Another option is to use a natural humidifier, such as a peeled apple, placed under a cloche on a cake stand. The apple adds moisture to the environment, preventing the cake from drying out. However, fruit can attract flies, even when covered.
To prevent a cake from drying out, it is also important to ensure the cake is completely cooled before storing it and to avoid overmixing the cake mixture, as this can cause a build-up of gluten which can make the cake dry.
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Add a peeled apple to the cake stand to act as a humidifier
One way to keep a wedding cake from drying out is to add a peeled apple to the cake stand to act as a humidifier. America's Test Kitchen recommends storing the cake with a peeled apple under a cloche on a cake stand. The apple adds moisture to the environment, preventing the cake from drying out. However, fruit can attract flies, so if you'd rather not use an apple, you can use a sheet of parchment paper (or wax paper, or plastic wrap) to act as a hydrophobic barrier, keeping moisture inside the cake.
It's also important to make sure you don't overmix your cake mixture, as this can cause a build-up of gluten, which can make your cake dry. Make sure you add enough liquid to your mixture, and don't skimp on the oil if the recipe calls for it. You can use alternatives such as apple sauce.
Before storing your cake, make sure it has cooled completely. Store it in an airtight container, or buy a purpose-made cake keeper. To cover any exposed cake, cut a piece of parchment paper (or wax paper, or plastic wrap) to roughly fit the area, then fold and press it onto the exposed cake.
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Don't overmix the cake mixture
One way to keep a wedding cake from drying out is to avoid overmixing the cake mixture. Overmixing can cause a build-up of gluten, which can make the cake dry. To avoid this, make sure you level off your spoon before adding to the mixture and carefully measure out all of your ingredients before you start mixing.
It's also important to add enough liquid to the mixture. Adding too little liquid can cause dryness, so don't skimp on the oil if the recipe calls for it. If you want to make the cake healthier, you can use alternatives such as apple sauce instead of oil.
Once the cake is baked, it's important to store it properly to prevent it from drying out. Make sure the cake cools completely before you store it, then store it in an airtight container. You can buy purpose-made cake keepers that are designed to keep cakes fresh.
Another way to keep a cake from drying out is to use a piece of parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap. Cut the paper or wrap to roughly fit the area of exposed cake, then fold and press it onto the cake. This acts as a hydrophobic barrier, keeping moisture inside the layers of the cake.
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Make sure you add enough liquid to the mixture
One of the most important things to remember when making a wedding cake is to add enough liquid to the mixture. This is because adding too little liquid can cause dryness. If the recipe calls for oil, don't skimp on it in a bid to make the cake 'healthier'. Instead, you can use alternatives such as apple sauce.
It's also important to make sure you level off your spoon before adding to the mixture. This will ensure that you're adding the correct amount of liquid and that it's evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Overmixing your cake mixture can also cause dryness, as it can lead to a build-up of gluten. So, once you've added the liquid, be careful not to overmix the batter.
Finally, when it comes to storing your wedding cake, make sure it cools completely before storing it in an airtight container. You can buy purpose-made cake keepers that are perfect for this.
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Frequently asked questions
Make sure you don't overmix the cake mixture, as this can cause a build up of gluten and make your cake dry. You can also add alternatives to oil, such as apple sauce, to ensure the cake is moist.
Make sure the cake cools completely before storing it in an airtight container.
You can use parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap to cover your cake.
Store the cake with a peeled apple under a cloche on a cake stand. The apple will add moisture to the environment, acting as a cake humidifier.