How can I get cake to come out really moist?

Question

whenever I make cakes from scratch, they always seem dryer than the stuff you buy at the store. What's their secret?!

Answer 1

I always add a bit of sour cream to my homemade batter, makes it very moist.

Answer 2

They might have additives that act as humectants--that is, there are ingredients that pull moisture from the air into the cake.

Or they have a lot of fat. That always helps.

The moistest cakes I make are a cream cheese pound cake, a pumpkin cake, and a "screwball" cake. The first two have a TON of fat in them. The screwball cake is a vegan cake where you mix the dry ingredients in the cake pan, make three holes, put vinegar in one, oil in another, and vanilla in the third.

You pour water over the whole thing, stir it with a fork...and it turns out incredibly moist though it has no dairy and only a little fat.

You might want to try cakes that have extra fat, or extra moisture added in the form of applesauce, prune baby food, cream cheese (NOT fat-free--you can't bake with that stuff!), pineapple, coconut milk...there are a lot of options.

Also, you can try cakes that have syrups poured over them after you bake them. That keeps things moist, too.

You may have to try different recipes--some are moister than others.

Answer 3

Try taking it out of the oven before it is all the way done. It will set up as it cools. Also, if the recipe gives you a range of time to bake, always bake for the least amount (even a couple of minutes less) before you test it. I hate dry cake too! Homemade cakes are never as light and fluffy as the mixes, but they sure do taste better! Good luck!

Answer 4

Sour Cream

Answer 5

I add about a 1/2 c. of mayo.

Answer 6

Some people use vanilla pudding to make it moist.

Answer 7

yeh what sedoso said it makes it really moist and delicious

Answer 8

maybe you need to put more oil in it and take it out before it turns dark brun.