Thula's Cake Lab

CAKE BAKING 101: (Part 1) Know your Ingredients




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Have you in the recent past considered making a cake for a loved one and wondered how to get started? Baked goods especially cakes have been a big hype for years! I have received many requests for guidelines to a beginner… So keeping that in mind I have tailored this article for you newbies to help give you a soft start and cover the most basic things you need to know in cake baking. I hope this will direct you rightly. Feel free to comment, post questions and I am here to help !

What is baking ?

Baking is to cook food using indirect heat by conduction or convection in a closed environment such as the oven. Preparation may seem a little intimidating at first but if my protocols are directly followed and ingredients precisely measured you can experience some of the most delicious desserts ever. What good is your cake when it looks presentable but is tasteless! You cannot master the art of cake decorating until you master the art of baking.

So let’s get started…

So what do you call a perfect cake?

1. Cake that is evenly baked with little or no doming.

2. Cake with no cracks or big tunnels.

3. Cake that is tender and moist.

To me, a cake with the above three characteristics is a perfect cake…and to achieve this perfect cake with basic, easily available ingredients has been my goal.

CAKE COMPOSITION

Picture 2

Cake is composed of a mixture of dry and wet ingredients. In my years of baking, I have tried, experimented and found the perfect balance between dry and wet ingredients as well as altered baking temperatures that have helped me achieve my perfect cakes… and now it is at your disposal to learn and benefit !

 

Next: Dry Ingredients




Comments

  1. Leave a Reply

    Suchi
    June 9, 2016

    Wonderful piece of info regarding basics in cake mmaking …lot of literature n research πŸ™‚

    • Leave a Reply

      Amruta
      June 12, 2016

      Thank you.. very nicely explained! Looking forward for more..

      • Leave a Reply

        Thulashitha RD
        June 14, 2016

        Anytime Amruta ! stay tuned πŸ™‚

    • Leave a Reply

      Pratibha
      June 20, 2016

      Quite informative and enlightening blog, I have been baking from sometime now, but only now understanding the science behind it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, will look forward to your next blog.

      • Leave a Reply

        Thulashitha RD
        June 21, 2016

        Thank you Pratibha ! enjoy your new learning experience πŸ™‚

  2. Leave a Reply

    Gaya kumar
    June 9, 2016

    Your blog is so helpful. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.. wishing you a very good luck… be a explorer in baking.

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 9, 2016

      Thank you Gaya! I have a lot more coming up. stay tuned !

  3. Leave a Reply

    Mayoore
    June 9, 2016

    Solid advise. Can’t wait to try out your recipes.

    What brand of Milk Powder would you recommend?

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 9, 2016

      Thank you Mayoore !
      I like to use the Sri lankan “Anchor” milk powder.
      In the US I use Instant Nonfat Dry milk powder (Target market pantry). It is a little granulated so pulse a few seconds before use.

  4. Leave a Reply

    Sarah
    June 9, 2016

    Oh my! This is like a full length chemistry class! Way to go Thula!!!

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 10, 2016

      Cake chemistry made easy πŸ™‚ thank you Sarah !

  5. Leave a Reply

    Christina
    June 10, 2016

    A well written article for cake baking beginners!
    Thank you for sharing Thula
    Loved the attention to detail !

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 10, 2016

      Thank you Christina ! means a lot , please stay tuned πŸ™‚

  6. Leave a Reply

    Bharu Prem
    June 10, 2016

    Awesome work Thula….the expertise, passion and dedication clearly reflects in your posts!!!!
    Impatiently waiting for the recipes πŸ™‚ All the very best!! <3

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 10, 2016

      Thank you Bharu ! thanks for your patience, recipes coming up soon

  7. Leave a Reply

    Roshni
    June 10, 2016

    Hey thuls!!! Brilliant is not the word…its more of a reserach thesis in baking than just a blog.so much of derails.. woow!!! Cant wait to see your recipes. Good luck girl!!

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 10, 2016

      Thank you Roshni! it did feel like a thesis presentation, there are three more parts to this- all coming up .. stay tuned !

  8. Leave a Reply

    thilanka
    June 11, 2016

    Wow! Been baking for years but didn’t realise there’s so much behind it. Thanks Thula for the insights. Very informative and can’t wait for the recipes. All the best hun. Awesome work so far.

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 11, 2016

      Thank you Thilanka !

  9. Leave a Reply

    Ahalya Bala
    June 11, 2016

    Super work Thula, amazing job. Can’t wait to read all your future posts in this super awesome blog.

  10. Leave a Reply

    Uma Kalyani
    June 11, 2016

    I do make cake at home for my family but with out knowing the science behind it… wanted to join classes but with work n super active kid at home it was not possible.i super excited seeing details I wanted to know in ur blog….thank u and looking forward for more…

  11. Leave a Reply

    Carol
    June 11, 2016

    Although I am a home Baker, found this very helpful and informative. Looking forward to more. All the best.

  12. Leave a Reply

    Megha
    June 11, 2016

    So beautiful!!!! Want to read ur complete series…i’m novice at baking so eager to learn it from scratch!

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Great, I am tailoring articles -recipes and tutorials for enthusiasts like you Megha.. your feedback is much appreciated. Enjoy your new learning experience πŸ™‚

  13. Leave a Reply

    Asha
    June 11, 2016

    Excellent cake chemistry session. Thanks a lot!

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      you are most welcome ! thanks for your feedback Asha !

  14. Leave a Reply

    Savitha
    June 11, 2016

    Very clear explanation for a baking beginner. Keep up the good work. Waiting for complete book

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Thank you Savitha ! πŸ™‚

  15. Leave a Reply

    Suchitra
    June 11, 2016

    Wow never ever have I read such clear attention to detail description of baking. I am waiting for further piece of wisdom. great work!

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      thank you Suchitra… your encouragement means a lot.. i am working around the clock so you can enjoy reading and learning !

  16. Leave a Reply

    Suchitra
    June 11, 2016

    Very helpful and informative

  17. Leave a Reply

    Jayanthi Sridhar
    June 12, 2016

    Awesome…….
    Thank you for the detailed write-up. Can’t wait for the next session…..

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      coming up soon.. thanks Jayanthi !

  18. Leave a Reply

    Sonali
    June 12, 2016

    Lovely read. Simply worded and immensely informative. Looking forward to next 3 parts. Thanks.

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Thanks Sonali… your encouragement means a lot. stay tuned !

  19. Leave a Reply

    Shalini
    June 12, 2016

    Brilliant, eagerly waiting for the other parts.

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Thank you Shalini ! coming up soon..

  20. Leave a Reply

    Debani
    June 12, 2016

    Very informative.Great going

  21. Leave a Reply

    Garvita
    June 12, 2016

    Dear Thula, it’s been sometime that i came across such honest and Charming baking education write up. Your story and passion is truly an inspiration. Hoping to learn a lot via this blog of yours and wish you a fantastic luck with life sciences explorations again.it was a pleasure reading this piece.

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Garvita, thank you for your feedback… I promise it is going to be an exciting learning experience. stay tuned and thanks in advance for your continued support πŸ™‚

  22. Leave a Reply

    sunita ailani
    June 12, 2016

    Thanks for sharing information

  23. Leave a Reply

    neeraja
    June 12, 2016

    awesome details about the ingredients

  24. Leave a Reply

    Megha
    June 12, 2016

    Wow so descriptive and informative! liked your research behind every ingredient in cake baking. would love to see your upcoming recipes.. πŸ™‚

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Thanks for your interest Megha.. stay tuned for updates πŸ™‚

  25. Leave a Reply

    Tanushree
    June 12, 2016

    Wow… waiting for the complete series..
    I’m a beginner and I guess I landed on the right page…
    Baking made easy…Thanks for sharing.

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Yay! yes you landed on the right page… stay tuned and enjoy learning Tanushree:)

  26. Leave a Reply

    Usha Thiagarajan
    June 13, 2016

    Very informative and well explained.

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Thanks Usha.. glad you enjoyed reading !

  27. Leave a Reply

    bitra
    June 13, 2016

    Hi. I’m a beginner in baking. Thanks for this useful information. Waiting for the next sessions.

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Anytime Bitra.. thanks for your feedback !

  28. Leave a Reply

    Ash
    June 13, 2016

    Great info!! Thanks for sharing..

  29. Leave a Reply

    Chira
    June 13, 2016

    Well-done thula.. can’t wait to see the frosting methods…??

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 14, 2016

      Thank you Chira !details on frostings with 7 varieties coming up soon. stay tuned

  30. Leave a Reply

    Jaya
    June 15, 2016

    Awesome write up! Bookmarked it for future references ! I always look for eggless options while baking and currently I do not have any of the 3 ingredients u mentioned above, can I use cornstarch? Please suggest. Planning to make a eggless cream-cheese tonight!

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      June 21, 2016

      Hi Jaya, Thanks for your interest in learning ! yes you can !! try 1 TB of corn starch + 3 TB of water in place of one egg. eggs are used for- binding (primary) and moistening (secondary). Corn starch does the former… but might dry out the cake a little… so add an extra 2-3 TB of oil to balance it out. hope this information helps.. enjoy baking!

    • Leave a Reply

      Kamini
      July 9, 2016

      Very informative and encouraging for beginners. Your article is very simple and yet has captured the details which goes in baking.. I am sure you would share eggless recipes as well.. I look forward to read them..

      • Leave a Reply

        Thulashitha RD
        July 14, 2016

        Thanks Kamini, my lab hopes to bring you the best tested and tried recipes. Stay tuned and thanks for the support!

  31. Leave a Reply

    megh
    July 12, 2016

    Thank you so much for sharing you knowledge I was looking for such an all one stop info blog for long time. thanks for taking time out your busy life to do this.

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      July 14, 2016

      Anytime Meghna ! glad you found the information useful… It is going to be a different learning experience. stay tuned !

  32. Leave a Reply

    Sharmii
    July 13, 2016

    The art of cake making from a new perspective. Gr8 blog with attention to details and graphical representation. Kudos Thula!

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      July 14, 2016

      Thank you Sahrmii ! appreciate your feedback πŸ™‚

  33. Leave a Reply

    Neha Bajaj
    July 20, 2016

    Wow! Wow! Wow! It’s like both my things came together. Science and baking. Lately I hv been reading so many blogs, trying so many baking recipes bt I always wished if sumbdy could make me understand the science behind. Internet is flooded with recipes BT ds kinda write up….!! Oh my…soo …delighted. loads of wishes n gud luck.. luking forward

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      July 20, 2016

      Neha , that’s very kind of you to say. I am glad you found my page…. I promise this will be a new learning experience! Thank you and travel with me in this new exciting journey πŸ™‚

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      July 26, 2016

      Thank you Sarika ! glad you are enjoying the article πŸ™‚

  34. Leave a Reply

    Shilpa Reddy
    July 26, 2016

    Awesome blog!!! Thanks a ton for sharing your knowledge with us beginners who do not know where to start. Admire you even more for balancing kids, work n also following your passion!!!

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      July 27, 2016

      Anytime Shilpa πŸ™‚ when you find passion in something it is hard to let go:) thanks for your feedback, stay tuned !

  35. Leave a Reply

    Merrilyn
    July 27, 2016

    Wonderful piece of information.Thank you so much,you are far too kind πŸ™‚

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      July 27, 2016

      Anytime, thanks for your feedback Merrilyn ! πŸ™‚

  36. Leave a Reply

    Shridevi Pramod
    August 15, 2016

    Very neatly explained….Just cant wait to go through every tip and tricks that ou have got from your experience.Thanks a ton!

  37. Leave a Reply

    Kriti Sanon
    December 4, 2016

    You ought to get involved in a contest personally with the finest blogs on-line. I will recommend this page!

    • Leave a Reply

      Thulashitha RD
      December 20, 2016

      That’s very kind of you to say Kriti! thanks much πŸ™‚

  1. Perfect White Vanilla Cake (YouTube Link included) | Thula's Cake Lab - […] Most of the white cake recipes use only “egg whites” to prevent the “yellow” imparted from yolk…To me, it…

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