You will not believe which HACK for FLAT CAKE LAYERS works best! │ How to get FLAT CAKE layers

Are you tired of levelling the tops of cake layers and ending up with so much extra cake?! In today's video we are going to be testing out 5 hacks which claim to give you flatter cake layers to see which ones work the best! I will also be explaining a bit about the science behind why cakes dome in the first place, so that you can try out some of your own hacks too! :)
I purposely used a cake batter that produced a very high dome when baked as normal, so that we can test the effects of the hacks a bit better! Most cakes don't dome that much in the first place, so you are likely to get a very flat cake layer when using the successful hacks in this video!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - 00:20 - Intro
00:20 - 00:53 - Science behind why cake layers dome
00:53 - 02:21 - Hack 1
02:21 - 03:06 - Hack 2
03:06 - 03:45 - Hack 3
03:45 - 04:36 - Hack 4
04:36 - 05:34 - Hack 5
05:34 - 06:57 - Full comparison of all cakes
---------------------------------------------------------------
SHOP MY COURSES HERE:
= Layer Cake From Scratch: Ultimate Beginners Guide to Cake Decorating - bit.ly/36HQv4p
= How to Make a Professional Wedding Cake From Home - bit.ly/354TMdM
= Mousse Cake From Scratch: Patisserie Style - bit.ly/3JCRxNM
OR
Get access to my COURSES on Skillshare and receive an extended FREE TRIAL by signing up with this link: www.skillshare.com/r/profile/...
----------------------------------------------------------------
Blog: www.cakesbymk.com/
Instagram: / cakesbymk.nz
Facebook: / cakesbymk.nz
Music: KZbin Audio Library (Uh Oh - Slynk, Smokey's Lounge - Track Tribe), Bensound.com - Hip Jazz
If you enjoy my content, then please subscribe and don't forget to turn on the notification bell so that you're updated whenever I upload a new video :)
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase :)
Thanks for watching!

[@lisasaunders4835]

I tried the water bath on my pound cake recipe (just like she recommended here) because she said it gave her the best result. It worked great! Hands down the moistest cake I have ever baked. I baked a 9X12 rectangular cake and I had to bake it about 20 minutes more than the recipe called for. Just watch your cake carefully after the original baking time is up. I have found 10-minute intervals make a big difference in baking time. Anything less does nothing. Having said that, a water bath makes a more professional looking cake, but I really missed the slightly harder crust on the outside. I think that makes a cake taste even better. The cake is moister this way but it can still be moist the other way too. Just not AS moist as this way, so it is a tradeoff. I also had to cool the cake a little and flip it, then put it back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes just to firm up the bottom a little bit more. To me, the cake seemed too fragile to cut and frost as it was. Maybe another 10 minutes would have done the trick, but I was afraid to burn the bottom and I had no way of seeing it. Make sure that you have plenty of time on your hands when you try this for the first time, so that you can work out all of the bugs in the system as well as cater this method to YOUR personal oven. Then record your results for next time. It will help take the stress out of doing this again. Some of my kids loved it baked this way and some preferred it the old-fashioned way, but this is a valuable tip to know for more formal occasions. Hope this helps first-timers.

[@tigerlilly9038]

As a data driven person I absolutely loved your feedback.

[@mywaterfountain]

Just took four cakes out of the oven with this problem and so did a quick KZbin search and this is really helpful to know! Thank you!

[@alisalee9287]

lower temp is my to go hack! It takes significantly longer to bake, but the result is so great every time!

[@brigittefavron3362]

Love this video but I would have loved to see how the interiors of these cakes turned out also. That would really help aid in the decision of which method is best. The interior is more important than outside in my opinion. The outside can be camouflaged to hide imperfections. If the inside isn't right you have to toss and start over. I love your videos keep them coming I'm learning a lot from you!!

[@CakesbyMK]

Hi there! YES YOU ARE TOTALLY RIGHT! I actually completely forgot to do this but I really wish I had! I did try the cakes after and there weren't any noticeable differences in texture apart from the crusts (which were harder the more brown they were). Will hopefully keep this in mind for future videos like this :)

[@Nghilifa]

@@CakesbyMK Good to know. I didn't know about the water-bath method, but I'll definitely be trying that for cakes that I intend to cover with frosting.

[@mamasanaz]

The water bath is a game changer for me! I've tried lower Temps for longer, baking strips, and resorting to just cutting the dome off! I'm amazed! I'll never bake cakes any other way now! Thanks!🎂

[@preshanaguran507]

You are amazing. Thank you for sharing baking tips and tricks, especially for home bakers it helps tremendously 💕

[@ishirakulawansa7100]

Thank you for all the tips to the beginners like me. Your way of explaining encourage us to bake fearlessly. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@Moonchevre]

I bake mine in 2 pans instead of 1, flat tops everytime. So basically lesser batter or bigger pan works well too. But generally, I bake mine at 150-160

[@CakesbyMK]

Great tips! :D

[@ameliamonica5199]

Thanks will try that👍

[@5801160052086]

I'm about to try reducing the temp to 160deg C

[@shantelley1434]

You are absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for such detailed & precise explanations & examples. You are a bakers dream!

[@toluruthie2962]

Thank you for always, your channel is always loaded with vital information.

[@charutakulkarni6854]

Loved this. Very helpful to know what works better

[@wiiflix]

Wow. I’m thrilled I found your video. I’m baking a birthday cake and was thinking I’d need to buy strips. I’m so grateful to see the beautiful results from the water bath. Thank you so much.🙂💯

[@lymaririvera3500]

Amazing video, I will use these techniques for sure!

[@nenpinmwadechi7312]

Thank you MK! I'm watching from Nigeria. My baking just stepped up💜

[@flibutterfli]

Excellent video. Thanks for doing the research for us.

[@ponungtapak4261]

Ty sooo much fr d wonderful tips..my first cake of d year turns out just great! Thanks to ur valuable advice..happy new year!!😘😘😘

[@EminentToluwalase]

Good evening.. Thank you so much for this MK I watched this video this morning and I just tried it.. My cake came out very nice.. So there's no need to trim and trim and trim 😊

[@arnekgriswold9059]

Thank you so much for doing this! I have been lost as to what will be the best and most practical for me, and now I know.

[@zainabamien355]

Jazakalah gheir for this tip... definitely useful!!

[@nicsnauticalia1737]

That was amazing, thank you. I had never heard of any of these methods until I watched this video. My cake making game has just got much better 😊😊😁

[@michellejones7230]

🎉Thank you so much for these tips. I always wondered about the nail and the strips.😊

[@laurasirresistibletreats.]

Thanks MK. As always, this was such a helpful video.

[@CakesbyMK]

So glad to hear! :D

[@weloverescuedogs2820]

Thank you for such a fun video! I know that was a lot of work, and dishes to clean too! I just found your channel, and subscribed. Happy baking from the Pacific Northwest- Washington state! 🧁🌸🌻🍰🌊🐳🐻🦭🌲🐿️🎣🐋🌻🌸🧁🍰

[@sarahmonica7191]

Love all your videos ...so informative ....Just brilliant.

[@CakesbyMK]

Yay so glad to hear that :D

[@thecakingmumnz]

Great video!! I freeze my greased tins at least half an hour, or fridge chill at least a couple of hours, prior to baking my cakes. Seems to work just as well for an even cook. Might try the water bath option some time though. Steams as well as keeps the cook even

[@CakesbyMK]

Hi there! Omg the freezing cake tin idea sounds genius I have to try it sometime :D

[@mandyr9355]

wow thanks for the tip

[@Kizzy-pu4he]

MK, new subscriber! This is just the BEST and what I am looking for. Making a cake in another day and was going to express baking strips, but I actually want to do the water bath. I am not sure if the temperature should be lowered as well.

[@lookwhoscruisin]

YOU are an absolute joy to watch. Such a beautiful person!

[@CakesbyMK]

Aww thanks so much! :) :)

[@marthajane7058]

great vid.thanks so much!!

[@Lakelandcowboy69]

Wow u did so much work to produce this video and it's got so much good information.. I know which one I'm going to use. Thanks for your awesome experiment and all your work.

[@judithkilla6329]

Awesome. Thanks MK

[@jancourtney9965]

This is great. Thank you🥰

[@Mairiain]

I love your channel and am happy to see that you're back to doing videos more regularly. I hope you're doing well, and even though I may be a day late: Eid Mubarak!

[@CakesbyMK]

Thank you so much - I am so glad to be back! Eid Mubarak to you too :D

[@oleksandrvernygora2003]

thank you! very easy to get the difference.

[@noonoo8]

ما شاء الله Very interesting. Thanks for that information 👍

[@lauretteflemmer5718]

Love your video. You made it look so easy and the end result is so beautiful. Love your familiar accent too.

[@CakesbyMK]

Thank you so much! So glad to hear you enjoyed the video! :D

[@brandycollie4313]

I just loooooove your content❤

[@ameliamonica5199]

I love🥰that I found you!🙋‍♀️.... I desperately needed this tip and enjoy all your shares...👌

[@CakesbyMK]

So glad to hear that :D

[@lameesbardien2908]

Awesome advice....here's to better baking 😊

[@Mrsakris]

Would love to know how the crumb of the cake is affected. Dryer? Wetter? Smaller crumb? Softer Crumb? I’m always paying attention to the flavor and texture profile.

[@CakesbyMK]

Yess in hindsight I should have added this to the video! I did try most of them and inside they pretty much tasted the same (taste and texture wise), just the ones with the darker crusts were harder on the edges and not as soft when you ate the edges. Hope that helps!

[@hsahrish7757]

Asalmulaikum Great video! The last time I made Chocolate Cake, it had a big dome in the overall look. Very helpful. For The Homemade strips you could also use a paper towel

[@prik4727]

You’re so likeable and knowledgeable ❤

[@demiladeijimakinwa]

I have an aunt who bakes and she sells the "extra cake" separately as cake parfaits.

[@fraucelia8765]

Eid Mubarak and many thanks for this interesting video. Next time I’ll try out some of your hacks. 🌺🌙

[@CakesbyMK]

Eid Mubarak to you too! Glad you enjoyed the video :D

[@thebearcouncil8810]

What a helpful video comparing all the different methods side by side. I think the problem with the store bought strip was that it was not wide enough to cover the entire cake pan.

[@CakesbyMK]

Yess agreed! :D glad you found the video helpful!

[@horizontbeskrajneinovacije6440]

Great videos...demonstration, presentation, comprehensiveness, clarity You should also show the interior of these cakes, that would be complete demonstration And what about baking in silocone molds 🤔

[@GiveItAGoBakes]

Scientist MK! I love the comparisons side by side. I've tried a water bath for cheesecake, but never cake. I think I'm most likely to lower the temperature because it requires the least amount of extra work 🤣 I'm also only a hobby baker. Great video! Sorry I missed the live premier, I was sleeping stilla

[@CakesbyMK]

Haha yep you're like me! Whatever takes the least amount of work 🤣 and no problem at all! Hope you had a good sleep :D

[@GiveItAGoBakes]

@@CakesbyMK I am against doing dishes! 🤣 thank you for always replying, it makes me feel special

[@CakesbyMK]

@@GiveItAGoBakes awww I love replying to comments! You all are so special! :D

[@Cakehyderabad]

I once saw a youtuber just placing a sheet of aluminium foil on top of the cake batter once poured in tin. no need to tightly wrap just place it so that its not directly exposed to heat outside. I gave it a try, it was the most most even cake i ever baked.

[@nowthenad3286]

Do you have a link to that video?

[@BeiXinYi]

You can also use a non-traditional, thicker pan to bake the cake: I use a pottery pan, thicker than the normal cake pan by 4 times, and my cakes never dome, and never brown (unless I forget them and they over-bake significantly!)

[@margaretmaiwada2719]

Thank you for sharing

[@itsjustme1211]

That was so interesting. I’m definitely going to try the water bath 😀

[@nowthenad3286]

Thank you so much for doing this experiment. It is worth noting that I am interested in this in order to prevent a very dense cake from undercooking in the centre and then falling in the centre. It seems to me that this is caused by the same problem. My question is this: If the problem is that the conducted heat through the metal walls of the tin are the problem then why use a tin at all? Why not use a ceramic dish? Have you ever tried that?

[@harshas7265]

Lovely hacks! Eid Mubarak

[@CakesbyMK]

Thank you!! Eid Mubarak :D

[@tigerlilly9038]

thank you DIY baking strip hack😊

[@valerieg9494]

great ideas!!

[@CakesbyMK]

Thank you! :D

[@Evaahk]

Merciii vidéo très enrichissante 😻😻🥰

[@CakesbyMK]

You're welcome! :D

[@ALiz86]

Water bath gives an amazing result! If you were making cake and don't want dark edges, the water bath would save you a lot of time and trouble. You wouldn't have to cut away the dark edges from the sides. Excellent suggestions and video MK! Thank you!

[@CakesbyMK]

I loved the water bath method too! So glad to hear you enjoyed the video :D

[@user-rz6sp3qs6w]

Hello there, I'm a new Baker and I too find the water bath technique very efficient but I've a doubt as which the temperature should be convenient and for how long..?😅 I hope you don't mind me

[@po72644]

Cake / baking strips have always given me the most consistent results

[@aliyanhussain3999]

Very interesting video

[@Sweet_Nature_Lifestyle]

Thank u for the knowlegde ❤️

[@jessicabullock2990]

Never thought of doing in a water bath. That was drastically better! Definitely will give it a go next time. An even easier method than putting on my cake strips. Thank you so much! 🤩

[@CakesbyMK]

You're so welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video :D

[@ramatubana]

I don't really get this water bath and I really want to try it ,am I going to bake the cake with the pan still inside water?

[@AmberYAHeaRd]

@@ramatubana yes, bake it in the pan of water

[@weneedeachothernow]

Using the water bath method, since layer cakes have at least 2 layers, are you placing them each in a separate water bath pan?

[@tahmidakhanam8507]

Thank you!

[@raincheck01]

I like how much higher the cake with the homemade strips rose than the others.

[@fortunelarboardkuke8772]

Amazing,the waterbath method works well for me always. With love ❤️ from Nigeria

[@CakesbyMK]

Yeah the water bath method works awesome! :D Much love from New Zealand to Nigeria :)

[@karasaunty9823]

Good stuff. Didn't like the water bath cake tbh. It looked undercooked and very unappealing. The strips cakes were winners, though! Thanks for the tips (and I'm still loving your accent and overall Aussie enthusiasm). Hugs from Scotland x

[@user25895]

She's from New Zealand though...

[@BetyElen]

Life saver technique

[@rosierad]

You certainly looked the part with the lab coat and specs 😂 love it! You really are a joy to watch and always inspire me to get back into cake making 🫶🥰

[@NaptuRo90]

As Salaam Alaikum and Ramadan Mubarak ☪️ I just want to thank you for vibrant and most importantly, informative content! I did the water bath method on my last vegan carrot cake, took it to work and everyone could not believe how moist and delicious it was! They were in disbelief it was really vegan. I didn’t have to cut anything off the top of the cake, it really worked and I will surely use this method when I bake cake, does it work the same for cupcake s as well?

[@cha-ka8671]

Thank you for this video. Now, I am not buying a cake strip. Learning to bake cakes for my wife since the price of store bought cakes have gone through the roof.

[@user-rz6sp3qs6w]

OMG ma'am thank you so very much for your tips it would really help a lot! But I've a question regarding the water bath process what temperature should we prefer ma'am?

[@deniseshepard4327]

Love this video, comparisons are great! I will try the water bath and lower temp as I have used pan wraps and st find it a pain in the butt! I will say one critique is all of your cakes were cooked too long, cake should not be brown or golden brown on the sides and top.

[@chinyerengozi473]

Yay! I've missed this channel. It's been a while MK

[@CakesbyMK]

Hehe yep it has been! So glad to be back :D

[@maisyoconnor3333]

Thank you so much :)

[@Soul_King-G]

Good videos you make i like

[@maaag7524]

U r fantastic!!

[@user-er5qn8mf9w]

Hi Mk which cake tins do you use brand wise ?

[@hani786ish]

I tried water bath method. It worked Thank you so much , no wastage makes me happy 😃👍🏻

[@CakesbyMK]

Yayy so happy to hear that! :D

[@user-rz6sp3qs6w]

Hey there, mind if I ask what temperature did you use for the process and how long..😅

[@lorrainehicks9172]

I loved seeing the different techniques for flat cake tops. I think I'll be using a water bank. Could you please provide me with your homemade cake release? I love your new video process. It's really fun. Thank you for sharing and keep on caking 💜

[@CakesbyMK]

So glad to hear you enjoyed the video :D and here is the link to the homemade cake release recipe :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGjMd3uBm8aGoqM

[@milliewilkins2823]

Homemade cake release.. ..1 cup Crisco shortening, I cup vegetable oil, 1 cup all purpose flour. Nothing else. Beat really really well in a mixer. I store mine in an old butter/cool whip container. In the frig. Give it a quick stir before use. Will last many months without getting rancid if you keep in the frig. Use a pastry brush to brush into any baking pan or cookie sheet. This recipe was in my Wilton cake decorating book when I took a class 42 years ago. I'm a professional baker, Millie's Kitchen. This has worked beautifully THOUSANDS of times over my baking career of 40 plus years. Good luck and happy baking.

[@Mena-dz5ln]

If you put foil over the top of the whole cake pan .....the cake will come out flat and very moist.

[@halich]

Eid Mubarak sis! May Allah swt accept your duaas and prayers 🙂

[@CakesbyMK]

Eid Mubarak to you too! And I wish the same for you :D Ameen :)

[@mahnoorzafar6905]

Heyy, from did u buy this mold? It's so good

[@TWR4393]

I use 2 of your hacks plus a 3rd. The first is store bought cake strips, but a different brand which are thicker and taller than the brand you use. I’d say they more closely resemble the size of the home made ones you showed. 2nd is that I always lower the temperature to 160⁰C. The final hack I use is that my cake pans are placed on a baking tray with an even layer of non toxic play sand. Using these 3 hacks, I find that my cakes do not dome at all and also, the tops, bottoms and sides of the cake stay light coloured. They don’t develop a darker crust. Occasionally, I also use a heat core. A heat core is substantially thicker than a flower nail, but I only use this hack if my cake is large.

[@CakesbyMK]

Wow I've never heard of the non toxic play sand before! So many cool hacks out there! And yeah I think my flower nail probably wasn't thick enough - I just googled a heating core and they seem much thicker! Thanks for sharing your tips :D

[@user25895]

Aslm. Your vids help so much. I'm the most beginner baker you could get. Lol. Soo my Q is... Were these all done with the fan on? Especially the lowered temperature one. This vid is old but I hope you'll be able to answer. Husband's birthday like in few day's time... Sigh

[@carmelasortino8979]

Thank you for the great info. Im just wondering if the water bath would work for a bundt cake? This is where i have the biggest problem.

[@johngirvan4437]

Excellent video. Im a new baker and all this info helps a lot. Just one question, when baking your cakes, do you use both top and bottom heating elements or just the bottom one? Many thanks

[@nischithashetty1574]

Always bake with both top and bottom heat, which allows the temperature to be evenly distributed to all the sides around the pan

[@legenderazmaj852]

You are too good

[@danalelrey]

Do you turn the upper and lower heat on at the same time for baking?

[@shirleesmith1525]

I wish you would have tried one of the rings and lowering the temperature. I am curious if it would have looked more like the water bath cake that way. I guess I could try it...I will wait for you LOL

[@misakesan3498]

I believe water bath also make your cake softer and spongy .. highly recommend

[@rajehfairak3795]

How was the water bath method cake from the inside? Was it like the normal cake?

[@husm8671]

Can we like combine water bath and strips? Or strips and lower temperature?? Will the cake be affected??

[@zoyahrahimi7373]

Hi MK first of all thank you soooooooooo much for sharing your cake recipes, I have tried like so many recipes never worked properly like yours 😊 The only problem that I have is that my cakes become puffy, like you said i put oven between 150 and 160 still i get these puffy cakes Can lower the temperature like between 120 and 130? May Allah bless you with lots of happiness 😊

[@nsambamariam4607]

Wow thank u

[@yourhomiecook]

Can you tell recipe for homemade pan release, you are the only person whom recipes I can trust

[@Superstar6249]

Can you combine 2 like lower temp and cake strips/water bath?

[@marianneward8606]

Tried the water bath hack and it worked a treat, no more mount Vesuvius table top mountain it is all the way

[@ririn6679]

as someone who is frequently busy and tired(lol), low temp is very convenient for me

[@CakesbyMK]

Haha you sound like me! We probably need more sleep!! xD

[@user-eu9mt3uv8k]

What do you use to secure home made straps

[@luzborrero9693]

thanks 🌹🌹🌹🌹👏👏👏👏

[@traceysavy4710]

Love your channel. And this was interesting. But in the interests of a compleated experiment I DO think that we should have looked at the textures of the cakes. More specifically the one that was baked lower and slower and the water bath. I've had plenty of flops in my time that really didn't look bad from the outside. But once cut into, we're an entirely different story. For one reason or another. Judging the external appearance isn't always the benchmark for a successful bake🤔

[@CakesbyMK]

Yess you're so right!! I didn't think to do this (which in hindsight I should have!). I didn't specifically analyse the textures of the cakes but I did try most of them and inside they pretty much tasted the same (taste and texture wise), just the ones with the darker crusts were harder on the edges and not as soft when you ate the edges. Definitely something to keep in mind for future test type videos :)

[@lmlmlmlm7627]

If my cakes are level, do I still cut the top layer off before I frost (I’m guessing to allow the frosting to absorb better)?