The Secret to a moist cake!

The Healthy Pastry Chef
Nov 11, 2019
4 min read

Baking is really easy once you understand the basic chemistry of what ingredients creates what in a baked good. I'm going to break down what ingredients will help moisten your next cake. Let's get started...

1. Oils

Oils such as canola oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, avocado oils, and olive oil.

I highly recommend using coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil instead the canola oil or vegetable oil. Canola and vegetable oil are horrible for the body. They are over processed and have no nutrient value whats so ever. They actually have proven that these oils increase the bad cholesterol levels.

Adding oils to your next cake recipe will help moisten it.

But how much should you add? Well, that's a good question. It depends on the measurements of the other ingredients and how much the recipe will make.

My recommendation is always start small and work your way up in measurements of oil until you find the right texture that you are going for.

For example, if a cake batter makes 2 - 9" round cakes I would add about 1/2 cup of avocado oil. Or if a cake batter makes 2 - 8" round cakes I would add about 1/4 cup of avocado oil.

2. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is no different than adding oil. Mayonnaise is practically whipped oil with eggs or yolks added to it. Plus, it all depends on what brand you use. I would use Best Foods or Just Mayo. These 2 brands have a very neutral flavor. However, it will give your cake a nice moist texture.

When you add fat to any cake recipe, like mayo or oils it will give it more of a soft texture and bring it moisture. But too much of a good thing could be bad too. It's all about the ratio to the other ingredients. They all have to play along.

So, how much should you add to your cake?

Again, it all depends on your other ingredients and much the recipe makes.

For example, if a cake batter makes 2 - 8" round cakes, I would add about 1/4 cup of mayo. Or if a cake batter makes 2 - 9" round cakes, I would add about 1/2 cup of mayo.

Again, this is a start, if you feel that its not enough add a little bit more to get to the moist texture you're looking for. I would advise, baking 1 cupcake to test the recipe to see if you have reached the desired texture. If not, then you can adjust the amount before you bake off the entire batter.

3. Mashed fruits

Mashed fruits such as, bananas, apples, pineapple and so on. These help moisten a cake batter due to the water content in the fruit. Plus, add wonderful flavor to any cake. For example, banana cake or carrot cake. These 2 cakes have mashed fruit in them. I've used mashed apples in recipes when I was vegan and it help add flavor and moisture to muffin batters and cakes. Plus, you don't want to add to much of mashed fruit because it could make your batter soggy or mushy in texture. So be careful, don't over do it.

I couldn't really tell you how much mashed fruit to add to your cake recipe due to certain variables. For instance, what is the ratio or measurements of the other ingredients and how much does it make. Plus, some recipe would need both fruit and oil to help get that moisture crumb. Like carrot cake does.

4. Simple Syrup

So let's say you made this white cake or yellow cake and it came out dry. Don't throw it away!

You can moisten your cake even after you baked it off!

How do you do that?

You make simple syrup and drizzle it all over your cake. Let the cake absorb it before you start filling it and icing it.

How do you make simple syrup?

It's a 1:1 ratio of hot water and sugar. For example, 1 cup of hot water and 1 cup sugar. Mix the two until the sugar is dissolved and now you're in business. You can even flavor your simple syrup anyway you want! Like orange or lemon zest. Be creative!

I like to take the top skin of the cake off and then use a food grade squeeze bottle, fill it with my simple syrup and drizzle it on my cake. It will bring the life back in to your dry cake.

And no one would ever know that your cake was dry!

These are some of the tricks in the trade on how to moisten a dry cake. So don't worry if you have a cake recipe that is drier than you like it. Revive them and bring them to life with these simple tips.

If you have any questions on your cake recipe, please leave your questions in the comments below! Or share what kind of tips you use in your recipe to make it moist!