The Real Reason Your Cake Is Soggy

You absolutely can have your cake and eat it, too — if you're willing to put in the time and effort to bake it yourself. There are so many rules to follow and things to keep in mind when baking a cake at home, though, that it can be tricky to know exactly what you're supposed to do. Everything from the type and temperature of your ingredients to the precise number of minutes you leave the cake in the oven, can make a big difference in your final result.

While there are a whole slew of mistakes people make when baking a cake, one of the most common complaints is that the cake turns out soggy instead of fluffy and chewy. Fortunately, if this is a problem you've experienced, the solution is quite simple. Here's how to prevent your cake from becoming a mushy mess, whether you're baking it from scratch or using a boxed cake mix.

The reason that your cake is soggy likely has to do with how long you're cooking it — or rather, how long you aren't cooking it. Woman & Home explains that the center of the cake is the last part to cook through, so if you don't leave it in the oven long enough, you'll end up with a sunken, wet middle. Meaning, you can't judge your cake's doneness by the edges alone. You'll want to make sure the center is thoroughly cooked before you take it out of the oven.

If you do happen to take the cake out too early — and only realize it after the fact — no worries. The blogger behind Foods Guy has an easy solution. If the entire cake is undercooked, pop it back in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. If only the center is soggy, cover it in foil before baking it longer. And if only the bottom is wet, turn off the upper heat in your oven (if possible) and let it bake a few additional minutes.