OT: How do I get a bundt cake to have a flat bottom?

SleepingUgly · Post by **SleepingUgly** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:49 pm

My bundt cake recipes always end up looking like a mushroom on the bottom b/c the top (which becomes the bottom) is never flat. Is there a trick to do this? Once I tried to cut it with a knife and it ended up lopsided so I'm not inclined to do that.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:11 pm

Good question as mine always has a rounded/uneven bottom after it is baked.

Suzjohnson · Post by **Suzjohnson** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:30 pm

It's a pain, isn't it? I've managed a couple of times to get it pretty flat trimming it with an electric knife but it can turn into a complete disaster too. Usually I will get the cake out of the pan onto a cookie sheet, then put the cake plate or whatever you want to serve it from on the flat bottom. Then, very carefully flip the whole thing over so the curved top ends up on top. Much prettier that side up if you are finishing with a glaze rather than a thick frosting. Have you done a search on YouTube? I remember seeing somewhere someone cutting cake layers into thinner layers with thread. Perish the thought!

Suz

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:35 pm

Gently press the high spots down with a clean towel until you have a level cake. That step must be performed as soon as the cake comes out of the oven---while the batter is still hot and maleable. The towel is to prevents burns on the hand.

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/983-cake- ... level-cake

Alternately some people trim with a long string of dental floss, using a side-to-side sawing action. That encompasses the entire diameter of the cake, lending level cuts. Also, it's important not to leave the cake out in the...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLz5fSWq_jY

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:49 pm

Towels are very good!! I remember when I made my sister-in-laws famous peanut brittle. She had given me the directions and said after pouring it to take your fingers and to work it so that it isn't too thick. Dummy me I used my fingers without thinking about the hot syrup. Yep severe burns on the fingertips. Boy did I learn a valuable lesson on that!!

Suzjohnson · Post by **Suzjohnson** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:53 pm

Oh, nice tips in that video! Ouch, sleepycarol! That must have hurt so much. I don't think my mom-in-law does that with her peanut brittle. I'll have to ask her.

Suz

jen4700 · Post by **jen4700** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 10:07 pm

Make sure the dental floss isn't waxed or mint flavor! LOL

SleepingUgly · Post by **SleepingUgly** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 7:04 am

I've tried dental floss and a knife, and it was a disaster. I can try smushing, although that seems very risky. Will have to watch the youtube. Thanks!

Zzzzzzzzzzz... · Post by **Zzzzzzzzzzz...** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 7:38 am

-SWS wrote:Gently press the high spots down with a clean towel until you have a level cake. That step must be performed as soon as the cake comes out of the oven---while the batter is still hot and maleable. The towel is to prevents burns on the hand.

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/983-cake- ... level-cake

Alternately some people trim with a long string of dental floss, using a side-to-side sawing action. That encompasses the entire diameter of the cake, lending level cuts. Also, it's important not to leave the cake out in the...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLz5fSWq_jY

There is no end to this man's knowledge!

Z

SleepingUgly · Post by **SleepingUgly** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 8:08 am

Zzzzzzzzzzz... wrote:
-SWS wrote:Gently press the high spots down with a clean towel until you have a level cake. That step must be performed as soon as the cake comes out of the oven---while the batter is still hot and maleable. The towel is to prevents burns on the hand.

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/983-cake- ... level-cake

Alternately some people trim with a long string of dental floss, using a side-to-side sawing action. That encompasses the entire diameter of the cake, lending level cuts. Also, it's important not to leave the cake out in the...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLz5fSWq_jY

There is no end to this man's knowledge!

Z

Or his motivation to help.

Which makes most other men look bad by comparison!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 9:30 am

Don't look at me!! I'm not at all domesticated. Never have been. I'd just flop it upside down so that the top is the top again and let her sit there in all her bumpy round splendor w/some frosting drizzled on it. Well, truthfully, I probably wouldn't bother w/the frosting or glaze.

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 9:50 am

SleepingUgly wrote:I've tried dental floss and a knife, and it was a disaster.

You may be doing it before it has cooled completely? It is what I have seen them doing in the bakeries to get square or flat cakes.

jen4700 · Post by **jen4700** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 10:03 am

Slinky wrote:Don't look at me!! I'm not at all domesticated. Never have been. I'd just flop it upside down so that the top is the top again and let her sit there in all her bumpy round splendor w/some frosting drizzled on it. Well, truthfully, I probably wouldn't bother w/the frosting or glaze.

Me too! But honestly - I'd buy the bundt cake before I ever made one!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 10:09 am

Honest? Who said anything about being honest, Jen?? IF I have to be brutally honest, yer right, I'd just buy one at the bakery or grocery store too. Or maybe con my youngest granddaughter into baking one.

DoriC · Post by **DoriC** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 10:14 am

SU, I would have made a bet you've wouldn't have gotten any responses! This forum simply amazes me!

OT: How do I get a bundt cake to have a flat bottom?

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