How to Prevent Your Black Forest Dump Cake from Becoming Too Dense

Cake baking is no mean feat and for many beginners it can be a tad difficult to bake one without proper instructions. Each set of instructions even for lazy cakes, like the black forest dump cake Dairy Milk shavings needs a little care and following the instructions so you can attain the perfect crumb and airiness. So, for this kind of cake, we have the perfect guide so you can avoid baking a dense cake and get a lighter and airy cake instead. This cake has the potential to turn out rich and moist, and we are here to help you get that just right.

The Right Ratio of Wet to Dry Ingredients

Following the recipe is key as always, this also applies to measuring out the dry ingredients, the likes of flour and baking powder and also the wet ingredients like the eggs and extracts. Scooping ingredients like flour, cocoa powder into the bowl without levelling them or measuring them properly will affect the golden ratio. Use a spoon to add the dry ingredients into the measuring cup and level it off, with a knife or the spoon itself, before adding the right amount. After these are combined, the right ratio for them is also necessary when mixing them with each other. The typical dump cake batter tends to be rather thin and that gives an airier cake, with thicker cake batter resulting in a denser cake.

Sifting the Dry Ingredients

The typical dry ingredients for the cake batter calls for flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Use a sieve to add the dry ingredients into the batter to get rid of any tiny lumps that cannot be broken up by a whisk. This will also ensure that the smaller quantity of the dry ingredients is well dispersed in the bowl. This also helps add air into the dry ingredients and will ultimately help the cake rise better when baked and make it ultra-light.

Don't Overmix the Batter

There’s a reason why most cake recipes are specific adding in words like, “just combined”, “combined well”, “mix well” and for the cake batter, it tends to gravitate toward “just combined”. Mixing the cake batter thoroughly or well, will cause the gluten network in the cake to toughen and develop well, which will lead to a denser cake. Also, during mixing the wet and dry ingredients you also must be careful to just mix them with each other, just until they’re incorporated. It’s okay if there are a few lumps in the batter.

Use Cold Water for the Batter

In this recipe, you’re instructed to use chilled water for the batter. This is not just for making the cake easier to mix, but the cold water also helps to create a better texture by slightly slowing down the activation of the baking soda. This can make for a lighter cake once baked. Additionally, don’t substitute the cold water with warm or hot water, as it might cause the cake to become too dense.

Ensure the Baking Soda isn’t Expired Fresh

Baking soda is your key to lightness in this recipe. If your baking soda is old or expired, it might not work as effectively, leading to a denser cake. Test your baking soda before using it by dropping a small amount into vinegar; if it bubbles, it’s good to go. If it doesn’t, replace it with fresh baking soda to avoid a heavy texture.

Monitor Baking Time and Temperature

Baking at the right temperature is essential to achieving a light, moist cake. If your oven is too hot, the cake may rise quickly and then collapse, making it dense. If it's too cool, the cake might not rise properly, resulting in a heavy, dense texture. Use an oven thermometer to ensure that your oven is at the right temperature (180°C). Also, be sure to check the cake at the lower end of the baking time range (around 40 minutes), as overbaking can dry it out, making it dense.

Don’t Overcrowd the Top with Toppings

While it’s tempting to layer on the chocolate chips, butter, and other toppings, too many toppings can weigh down the cake, affecting its ability to rise properly. Stick to the suggested amounts of chocolate chips and butter, as this helps to preserve the cake’s light texture while still giving you that rich, indulgent flavor.