No one ever suggested that everyone enjoys eating an undercooked cake. If you take your cake out of the oven and it is undercooked, just return it to the oven for another five to ten minutes. If just the bottom of the cake is undercooked, cover it in tinfoil before returning it to the oven.

Hi! My name is Shea, and I like baking (and eating) cakes. I’ve been baking for years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes end up with an underbaked cake. I’ve learnt how to properly repair undercooked cakes throughout the course of my baking career.

If you have a cake that is undercooked in the center, on the bottom, or throughout, you need to know how to cure it. After all, no one likes to eat undercooked cake, but neither do you want to waste ingredients.

Who’s up for learning how to cure undercooked cake?

Signs of an Undercooked Cake

whether you’re new to baking, it might be difficult to tell whether your cake is genuinely underbaked. That’s why we’ll look at indicators of an undercooked cake first, so you don’t overbake and damage your cake instead.

• The cake isn’t soft. When you touch a properly baked cake, it will have a spongy feel. So, as soon as you take it out of the oven, gently press it with your fingers. If it is still jiggling, it is not finished.
• It isn’t hot. Is cake becoming a steak all of a sudden? No, but what may surprise you is that the cake makes a sizzling sound when baking. It begins with a loud sizzling then gradually fades away. Wait until it is barely visible but still present.
• The edges have not retreated. When the edges of your cake have peeled away from the sides of the pan, you know it’s done baking. This isn’t always 100% correct, so don’t depend on it unless you’re an experienced baker.
• The toothpick does not come out completely clean. If you’re not sure if your cakes are done, use the old-fashioned toothpick test. Insert a toothpick into the cake’s center. If it comes out clean, the job is done.

If you detect any of the aforementioned indicators, I’m sorry to tell you that your cake is undercooked. The good thing is that detecting it early means you can preserve it. Let’s look at how to mend the undercooked cake in more detail.

How to Fix Undercooked Cake

If you realize your cake is undercooked when you remove it from the oven, you may effectively repair it. The trick is to notice right away. A cake that has cooled but is still undercooked cannot be returned to the oven. It’s a hopeless cause. Sorry!

Here’s how to rectify your error if you’re fortunate enough to detect it early.

Overall Undercooked

If your cake appears more like a batter than a cake, it’s a dead giveaway that it’s not done yet. What are your options? Simply putting it back in the oven is the best option. Sometimes the cake merely needs a few minutes longer. Other times, success may take 15 to 20 minutes.

Check your cake every five minutes to prevent it from overcooking. I propose utilizing the oven light instead of constantly opening and shutting the oven door. Because you are releasing heat too often, this might cause the baking time to rise.

Middle Undercooked

Is your cake undercooked all the way through? Don’t feel too awful since this is the most prevalent issue. Cover the cake with foil (the pan will be hot!) and place it back in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes to repair it.

Follow the same instructions as before: check it every five minutes. Of course, when your cake is wrapped in foil, you won’t be able to tell whether it’s done. Open the oven and insert a toothpick into the center to check for doneness.

Bottom Undercooked

You’re in a pickle if the bottom of your cake is undercooked. It’s not as simple as just putting the cake back in the oven. You must ensure that the cake is perfectly placed in the middle of your oven. To prevent burning the top of the cake, wrap it with foil.

Another excellent approach is to turn off the oven’s highest heat (if possible). You won’t have to worry about the top of the cake burning while the bottom catches up.

Reasons Why Cake May Be Undercooked

So you put your cake back in the oven and it finally baked to perfection. But what caused it to happen in the first place? There are a few reasons why a cake may be undercooked, even though you carefully followed the recipe and directions.

• I didn’t bake it long enough. Sometimes it’s as easy as not enough baking time.
• Incorrect oven temperature Setting the oven temperature too low might result in undercooked cakes.
• Incorrect pan size Using a pan that is narrower than the one specified might result in an undercooked cake.
• Incorrect oven location Cakes are particular about where they go, and they should nearly always be in the middle.
• Excessive or outdated baking powder Baking powder may be a game changer when it comes to cake baking. Make certain that you measure out the correct quantity. Also, be certain that the baking powder is not expired.

FAQs

Undercooked cake is unpleasant, but you now know how to remedy the situation. If you still have concerns regarding undercooked cakes, check out the commonly asked questions section below.

Can you Rebake a cake if it’s undercooked?

Yes, if you notice it in time, you can rebake an undercooked cake. However, once the cake has completely cooled, it cannot be rebaked. After cooling, the cake would get dry and would not puff up as it should.

What does an undercooked cake look like?

An undercooked cake may seem wet or fluid, and it may be jiggly rather than solid. It might be difficult to determine whether a cake is undercooked just by looking at it, so seek for additional clues and use the toothpick technique to check the interior.

Why is my cake soggy in the middle?

It’s usually as easy as the cake not being baked long enough. Make sure you follow the recipe exactly. Use the proper oven temperature, position the cake in the middle of the oven, and do not remove the cake too soon.

Can I cover cake with foil while baking?

If you start with a covered cake, you will have a lack of cake crust and browning. However, you may cover the cake partly with foil to guarantee that the middle and bottom cook fully.

Final Thoughts

Nobody likes an undercooked cake, but it’s easy to repair. All you have to do now is put it back in the oven (covered or uncovered, depending on the circumstances).

Have you ever gotten an undercooked cake? How did you resolve it?