How to Moisten a Dry Cake

Why is My Cake Dry?

One of the most common reasons for a dry cake is overbaking it. Some other reasons could be that it was left out too long before covering or the batter was over-mixed.

Ingredients & Tools

All you'll need are a couple common kitchen tools and a single ingredient to make all the cakes you bake from now on extra delicious.

• Simple syrup - A mixture of 50% water and 50% sugar. Check out how to make simple syrup here. It's very easy and quick. This is the ingredient that will make your cakes nice and moist.
• Cake - This applies to most cakes like chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, birthday, sheet cakes, etc.
• Funnel - Not pictured. This is used to transfer the simple syrup to a squeeze bottle.
• Wooden skewers - Will be used to poke holes in the cake. For larger cakes you can also get away with using cake dowel rods to make bigger holes.
• Squeeze bottle - To drizzle syrup into the holes of the cake.
• Pastry brush - To brush the simple syrup on the cake.

To Begin

Use a funnel to pour the simple syrup into a plastic squeeze bottle with a pour spout--if it's not already done.

For Bigger Cakes (6" or larger)

Here's the one simple technique for making a dry cake more moist after it's already been baked. Not only does this make the resulting cake more moist, it also adds some extra flavor.

Step #3. Pour Syrup into the Holes. Pour the syrup over the cake so that it seeps into the holes and let it sit for 2 hours so it absorbs completely. This will make the inside of the cake moist.

For Small Cakes (less than 6"):

Step #1. Cut Cake in Half. You can follow the same steps as with big cakes but you can cut the cake in half first. This way you can moisten the bottom half more efficiently. Poke holes into both sides of the cake.

Step #2. Brush Syrup Over. Brush syrup on both sides of the cake using the pastry brush. The smaller cakes only need about 30 minutes to soak. Place the halves back together.

Step #3. Serve. The cake is now ready to frost as desired and serve.

Now you should have no problem ensuring all your cakes from this point forward are as tender and moist as you could ever dream of. After learning how to fix a dry cake, you've got nothing to fear when baking any number of fantastic pastries.

This isn't just limited to a chocolate cake. Many different flavors and sizes work, as do plenty of other baked treats...

...muffins, breads, and cupcakes. Even cookies could benefit from a little simple syrup brush down if they're not looking up to snuff initially. When in doubt, just give it a try.

Joss' Tips

• Work over a baking sheet and rack so that you don't make a big mess.
• It’s better to use a silicone brush rather than a brush with pig hair bristles as I find the hairs sometimes fall out and get into the food.
• Try a flavored simple syrup, like this diy pumpkin spice syrup, to add some flavor to the cake.
• For an alternative to simple syrup, professional bakers also use milk to soak the cake.
• If you’re unsatisfied with the moisture of your cake, you could also turn it into cake pops by combining it with frosting.
• Adding frosting between the layers and on the outside of the cake also helps with a moist end result.

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