How do I bake a cake that has the same texture and density as a bakery?

Question

Every time I bake a birthday cake it's the box "Betty Crocker" type. My kids like helping me make the cakes. The problem is none of us like the box cake taste. It's too sweet; it does not have that nice firm dense texture that you get from a bakery cake. The ones I make from the box have more holes and it's kind of airy. They are always moist. What can I do or what recipe can I make to make it better?

Answer 1

Here's an easy basic recipe to help you get started.

Basic 1-2-3-4 Cake
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups sifted self-rising flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4 inches above counter, then dropping it flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Cool in pans 5 to 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling racks. Cool completely and spread cake layers with your favorite frosting to make a 3-layer cake.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_24180,00.html

You can frost the cooled cake w/ whipped cream, Cool Whip, pre-made frosting. For filling, you can use sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, your favorite jam, pudding, lemon curd or home made frosting.

Here's one recipe:
Cocoa Whipped Cream
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon gelatin
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup Good Eats Cocoa Mix, recipe follows
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place your mixing bowl and whisk into the refrigerator to chill.

In a metal measuring cup or a very small saucepan combine the water and the gelatin. Let this sit for 5 minutes then place over low heat for 2 minutes to melt.

With your mixer on low combine the cream and the cocoa in the chilled bowl. Drizzle in the melted gelatin. Add the vanilla and turn mixer to high and whip to medium peaks.

Good Eats Cocoa Mix:
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)
2 1/2 cups powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more as desired

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. Seal in an airtight container. Keeps indefinitely in the pantry.

Yield: 5 1/2 cups dry mix Prep Time: 5 minutes Ease of preparation: easy
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ea/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9956_21805,00.html

Check out foodnetwork.com for recipes & how tos: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ck_baking/text/0,,FOOD_28717_60279,00.html

Answer 2

Firstly, you have to cook from scratch. Box cakes never turn out oo good. Secondly, you can't open the oven door once the cake is in there. You just have to trust that it is ok. Once the timer dings, peek in the oven. If the top of the cake looks uncooked, leave it in there for an extra 10 mins. Then check again. The cake is cooked once you can touch the top and it springs back. If it is slightly undercooked, turn the oven off and leave the cake in there, there will be enough heat left to finish the cake nicely. Also, never ice a cake until it has completely cooled. The next day is the best time to ice a cake.

Answer 3

I agree with the other posters that you have to make it from scratch. No box mix will be as good. Also, use cake flour rather than all-purpose flour for a better texture.

Answer 4

Make one from scratch. This is what I do for special occasions. One of my friends isn't supposed to have cocoa, so I made her a white chocolate cake. Try checking out recipes at Betterhomesandgardens.com or bettycrocker.com

Answer 5

I'm now not devout, however I do have heavy sociological / anthropological heritage. If you think the have got to "worry" your God, then it is in view that you think responsible for some thing, otherwise you wish to think victimized. Most persons do not worry their God. They love their God. God is just like the superb chief. As Machiavelli stated, a well chief have got to be each cherished and feared. If he's simply cherished, then individuals will nonetheless do what they wish in opposition to his wants every now and then. If he's simply feared, then they may not love their possess lives, most effective doing what he wishes out of worry of ramifications. If they love and worry him, then they're going to do what he wishes out of affection and admire first, and out of worry moment. Let me attempt to use another analogy for God... God, in so much peoples' eyes, is sort of a well mum or dad. A well mum or dad makes use of two constituents love and one million side area to make sure individuals lead a well existence. one million side love is unconditional. God loves you unconditionally, in view that you're his production. (Just as a mum or dad loves their little one unconditionally). one million side love is for optimistic reinforcement. God indicates you like to present your well conduct. This is what so much persons name "advantages", "miracles", and so forth. Parents do the identical with them youngsters; provide them hugs after they be successful. one million side area is used for bad reinforcement. God punishes individuals whilst they have been dangerous. Parents do the identical to youngsters. Now, so much individuals will comply with a Godly existence easily in view that they admire and love God as a result of one million side unconditional love, and one million side optimistic reinforcement. If that does not paintings then they worry the one million side area. However, what is "blessing" and "punishment" from God is subjective. Different religions, or even members, would possibly see some thing as a blessing at the same time others see it as a curse. Everyone can see something they wish into some thing. When a mom hugs a little one, it is beautiful tangible that it is a hug. But, whilst a man or woman unearths $five at the road is that a blessing? What if it simply makes it possible for them to do some thing dangerous? I suppose the bigger approach to seem at God is that he offers individuals probabilities. The $five is an possibility. How the man or woman chooses to make use of that possibility dictates whether or not it is a "blessing" or "curse".