Disaster Clouds Hanging Over My Head!

[ADM]

I am the (only) one who has been assigned to bring a dessert to a luncheon tomorrow, for 10 people. So far today I have baked 3, previously, T&T cakes. I have never had a failure with any one of them, until today! :eek:

The most complicated, and most expensive!, was Moka. I could have used it as a Frisbee! :mad:

The last, simplest and less festive, (Applesauce Loaf Cake) was my T&T recipe when I was still in High School! The normal baking time is 50-60 minutes. I had to bake it this time longer than 1 1/2 hours. [My theory is that the density of applesauce has changed over the years. I know for sure that it is not an oven issue.]

I have just one more chance tomorrow morning (before 1:00 p.m.) Any easy suggestions? (Something pretty simple with few ingredients. Remember, I won't be able to grocery shop!). TIA! :)

Whine! :o

[Jazzmatazz49]

Do you think your leavening is expired or something? I've had my share of disaster cakes, but 3 in one day is a bit much.

[ADM]

Do you think your leavening is expired or something? I've had my share of disaster cakes, but 3 in one day is a bit much.

Not likely, because the recipes are so different. The Moka has no leavening other than egg yolks, the loaf cake only uses baking soda. The other did use baking powder (new can).

I agree "a bit much"! :(

[Hammster]

Wow, with 3 different recipes not working, it sort of points to the oven.
I wonder if the oven isn't reaching correct temperature? I know you say you know it's not the oven. Did you verify temp with an oven thermometer?

Otherwise, no idea. And, boy, what a lousy day. Yeesh.

[BucknellAlum]

All I can offer is, whenever a cake does not turn out the way I want (or sticks in the pan), I always make a trifle! Would any of those flavors of cake work in a trifle dessert??

[ADM]

Wow, with 3 different recipes not working, it sort of points to the oven.I wonder if the oven isn't reaching correct temperature? I know you say you know it's not the oven. Did you verify temp with an oven thermometer? Otherwise, no idea. And, boy, what a lousy day. Yeesh.

Yeah, pretty lousy! It worked perfectly for yesterday's cookies--and the other things I baked today! I need suggestions for tomorrow

[fstrpstr]

A trifle would probably save your disasterous day.

[Grace]

I'm so sorry. I haven't had a lot of luck in the baking department lately myself. Although today I made this cake because my Mom was here and it's something she can have (she's not allowed any butter or butterfats). It turned out so good (I love this cake myself) and is so easy and pretty fool proof. Rather than double it and put it in a 13x9 pan, I'd make it in two square pans if it were me (not sure how it would turn out in a 13x9 and with your day, I wouldn't want to chance it!). Although one square pan makes 9 good sized squares of cake, and you could potentially cut it into smaller pieces to get 10+, so you wouldn't necessarily need to have two cakes. Especially if there will be more items there besides your cake. But I always err on the side of making too much so I'd probably bring two cakes.

Wacky Cake
Cook's Country Feb/Mar 06

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup natural cocoa powder (not dutch processed)
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
5 Tblsp. vegetable oil
1 Tblsp. distilled white vinegar (I used cider vinegar and it worked fine)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup water
confectioner's sugar

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray (I didn't do this and I had no problems with sticking - since you mix it in the pan, IMO, the cooking spray just gets mixed around anyway).

2. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt together in pan. Make 1 large and 2 smamll craters in dry ingredients. Add oil to large crater and vnegar and vanilla separately to remaining small craters. Pour water into pan and mix until justaa few streaks of flour remain. Immediately put pan in oven.

3. Bake until toothpick insterted in center of cake comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. Cool in pan, then dust with confectioners' sugar. If tightly wrapped, cake will keep for 3 days at room temperature.

[Vinca]

I am so sorry that you are having a bad time baking today. I have had similar experiences when I am crunched for time, stressed and not really into it and/or overly tired. Can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me.

Please describe the results of the cakes you made today. You might be able to do something with them. What ingredients do you have on hand? Any kind of fresh fruit? Can pineapple? Might be able to make some kind of upside down cake. Do you have ingredients for some kind of pastry for a pie, gazette, or some other kind of tart? Please let us know. Someone should be able to help you come up with something.

[SugarNSpice]

I hate to say this, but do you have any box cakes in your cupboard? You can really jazz them up so they aren't so chemical like...

You could at least find out if it is your oven or your leavening that is the culprit.

[jadenegro]

How about a store bought brownie mix (e.g. ghiradelli) and shave some white chocolate over the top to make them look pretty?

[kathyann]

I was going to suggest something just like what Grace posted, only we call it "Crazy cake" in my family. Surprisingly chocolately and delicious, and darned near foolproof!!!:) Good luck tomorrow!

[Hammster]

Yeah, pretty lousy! It worked perfectly for yesterday's cookies--and the other things I baked today! I need suggestions for tomorrow


Good to hear it worked for other things. For tomorrow? How about a valium? :)
Just kidding. What a lousy run of bad luck with those 3 things.

How about more cookies for tomorrow?