Christmas Cake Being Too Wet

Asked by ShazzySharona. Answered on 27th November 2013

Full question

I have baked three cakes one square which is being fed and seems to be good and two smaller round ones which are far too wet. I have re-wrapped them in fresh paper and foil as advised by a friend but when I went to feed them this week they are far too wet. Should I bin them or can they be rescued?

Our answer

It is difficult to tell from the description whether the cakes are under baked or just have not absorbed alcohol from any previous "feeding". If they have not absorbed the alcohol from a previous feeding then you could leave them unwrapped for a couple of days in a cool place (cover loosely with a clean tea towel) and some of the excess alcohol should evaporate. Once they feel drier then you can re-wrap them and then maybe only feed them very sparingly.

If the cakes are under baked then this can be quite difficult to fix. The cake should be tested after the baking time with a cake tester or skewer and when inserted into the centre of the cake then it should come out clean if the cake is done. If there is any wet cake better or damp crumbs clinging to the skewer then the cake should be baked for a further 15 minutes and tested again. Unfortunalely we would not suggest re-baking an under baked cake. Turn the cake over and try cutting out a small section from the centre. You may find that the cake is damp but still edible. If you feel it is too underdone to eat then you can cut the properly cooked outside pieces off and just discard the very wet centre. You may be able to turn the outside pieces into small christmas cake "bites" or you could use the cake as an alternative to Christmas pudding in Nigella's Christmas Puddini Bonbons (from Christmas, p247).