Dark And Sumptuous Chocolate Cake Sunk In Centre

Asked by DerekJam. Answered on 8th July 2016

Full question

My Dark And Sumptuous Chocolate Cake has fallen slightly in the centre to create a slight crater. When iced it is hidden, and the cake was still fudgy and delicious. Any suggestions to keep it from falling?

Our answer

Nigella's Dark and Sumptuous Chocolate Cake (from SIMPLY NIGELLA) is an egg-free and dairy-free cake. The batter is quite liquid, which gives a moist cake, and we suspect that the cake has sunk slightly as it was not quite fully baked in the centre.

Unfortunately as all ovens vary the baking time can vary a little too and the cake should be risen, shrinking away from the sides of the tin and a cake tester inserted into the centres of the sponge layers should come out clean. You can also carefully press the top of the sponge cakes and the cakes should feel firm and slightly springy. If the centre feels soft then bake for a further 3 to 5 minutes before checking again. There is also a slight risk that too much bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) was used and this can cause the cake to rise up a lot during baking and then sink back. Measure the bicarbonate of soda with a culinary measuring spoon (where one teaspoon is 5ml).