We’ve all been there: desperately trying to level your latest cake creation with a bread knife before stepping back and realising that, if anything, it’s more wonky than it was before, and now you’re going to have to battle with crumbs to frost the damn thing.
Or worse, attempting to stack domed cakes and fill the gaps with frosting, leading to an inevitable sponge landslide. There’s a plethora of gadgets and recommended methods for making your cake layers flat-topped and ready for stacking…but really, all you need is a bit of thread or some safety pins, and an old flannel, to create a wrap, like a headband, for your cake tin. Then, simply wet it and wring it out, wrap it around your cake tin, and cook as normal for a perfectly flat-topped cake.
How does it work? The wet towel stops the sides of the cake from getting hot, so it doesn’t bake early on – instead, the whole cake bakes at the same time, and so rises to the same height.
You might be able to buy strips for this purpose from a cookshop – but it’s worth spending a few minutes cutting and sewing, or pinning, to make something that will cost you pennies and last for ages. If you plan on making a few – for different-sized tins, for example – you may be better off cutting up a hand towel.
To make the wrap, cut your (clean!) flannel into strips as wide as the depth of your cake tin, then sew or pin them together end to end, creating a long strip of towel. Run this strip through your hands a few times to remove any fluff or loose bits of towel. Wrap this around your tin, then pin or sew it closed so it’s firmly wrapped around but loose enough to wiggle off when the cake’s done cooking. Each time you want to use it, simply wet it again – and rejoice in never having wonky layer cakes again.
Interesting idea. I’ve always relied on the method of making a slight dip in the centre of the batter to ensure an even rise. Will have to try this out one day.
I must admit, I was a bit dubious at first but used it on all three layers that made up the cake in the above picture and it worked like a dream for all of them.
I have never heard of this idea. Clearly worked a treat for you, will have to give it go 🙂
Must admit, I would be terrified of the flannel catching fire. It’s the kind of thing that’d happen to me.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have the same fear. I’ve only used it on cakes that took no longer than 45 mins to bake – the flannel comes out crispy but thankfully not flaming.
make the strips from a clean towel cut into the strips its thicker than flannell and will hold up better