The Big Cake Mistake You're Probably Making

Baking a yummy cake doesn't have to be a difficult task. Sure, you could go the traditional route and whip up a three-tiered masterpiece from scratch — maybe a scrumptious German chocolate cake? But when you're low on time, or just don't want to deal with the clean-up afterward, a simple boxed cake can do the trick.

You're more than likely going to be left with a delicious treat no matter which method you choose, especially if you top your cake with a nice topping like peanut butter or frosting. But be warned — there are a few mistakes that everyone makes when baking that might lead to a less than desirable result. Fortunately, we've found a strategy that will help you avoid at least one of these errors next time you're ready to channel your inner baker. This trick all comes down to a few extra seconds of work right before you put your cake in the oven.

If you've ever baked or eaten a cake before, you've probably noticed that the inside looks slightly similar to a sponge. Per Bake School, this is due to air bubbles that are created by a chemical leavener in the recipe — such as baking powder or baking soda — which releases gas and ultimately makes the cake rise. However, air bubbles can also be a hindrance when it comes to making the dessert, as too many can lead to a dry cake with an off texture (via Baking Mad).

In order to ensure the correct amount of air bubbles in your cake batter, Mrs. Pat Yingst of Covington, Ohio suggests getting a little physical with your cake pans after you've filled them with the batter. "When baking a cake, rap your pans sharply on the countertop before putting them in the oven," Yingst told Taste of Home. "This will eliminate most of the air bubbles." As noted by Bake School, this method also has the added benefit of helping spread the batter into "all the nooks of the pan."

While this simple addition to the cake-making process will certainly yield a better result, there are a few other steps you can take as well. Per Baking Mad, making sure ingredients like butter are at the correct temperature is also crucial for an even cake, as is sifting the dry ingredients. Go on then, bake that cake and see if these tips give you better results.