Last Updated on January 2, 2023
When it comes to baking a cake, you want to make sure that is fully baked before you take it out of the oven. It is important to not underbake it where it will be gooey or overbake it where it will be dry. Knowing the internal temperature of the cake can help you know when it is done.
Using a thermometer to check the doneness of food is common when cooking meats. It allows you to ensure that your food has been cooked to the proper temperature to avoid the risk of foodborne illness. Some bakers will use a thermometer as a way to check if their cake or other baked goods are done.
What Is The Internal Temp Of Cake?
In general, a cake’s internal temp will be around 200-210 degrees Fahrenheit. Most cakes such as butter cakes, pound cakes, chocolate cakes, and vanilla cakes will have an internal temperature of 210 degrees Fahrenheit.
You don’t have to worry about getting a food-borne illness at this temperature. Raw flour and raw eggs can potentially carry salmonella or E. coli. In addition, it also can be a determining factor if your cake is fully baked or not.
If your cake reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, you risk it becoming over-baked and dry. At 212 degrees Fahrenheit is when water will begin to turn to steam. If your cake gets hotter than this then it will lose moisture at a quick rate.
How To Check The Temperature Of Cake?
Though it can be tempting to check the temperature of your cake periodically as it bakes to keep track of the temperature, you want to avoid this. Checking the temperature too soon on your cake can interfere with the leavening process. In addition, it can potentially let too much heat out of the oven.
Once you have baked the cake for the time suggested in the recipe then you can check the temperature. In many cases, the recipe will have a time range for how long it will bake.
To take the temperature, place the thermometer in the middle of the cake. However, be sure to not touch the bottom of the pan. For the most accurate reading, it is best to use a digital thermometer.
For denser cakes such as flourless chocolate cake, carrot cake, and red velvet cake, the internal temperature will be around 200-205 degrees Fahrenheit. Lighter cakes, such as a sponge, angel, and butter, will be around 205-210 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are Thermometers The Most Accurate Way To Test If A Cake Is Done?
Depending on who you ask, some people will say that thermometers are the most accurate way to test if a cake is made whereas others will disagree. Some people that temperature is the best way to check if your cake is baked. For a cake’s internal temp, under 200 degrees Fahrenheit, it is underbaked, over 212 degrees Fahrenheit, it is overbaked and between 200-210 degrees Fahrenheit, it is just right.
However, other baking experts don’t think that it is the most reliable method. Temperatures can vary by the type of cake and it can be hard to keep track of which type of cake is done at which temperature.
Other Ways To Check If A Cake Is Done
If you don’t have an accurate digital thermometer, there are other ways you can check if your cake is done. They will help you determine if your cake is ready to come out of the oven or if it still needs to be baked for a few minutes.
Toothpick
Using a toothpick is one of the most common ways to check the doneness of a cake. It is simple to do, as all you need is one toothpick and it is normally accurate.
If the toothpick comes out clean, or in some cases with a few baked crumbs on it, then your cake is done. If the toothpick comes out gummy or has wet crumbs on it, then it needs more time in the oven. Instead of using a toothpick, you can also use a paring knife instead.
Springs back
Another method to check if it is fully baked is to check the consistency. If you press your finger into the cake and it springs back, then it is ready to come out of the oven. If you press your finger into it and it leaves indents, then you want to bake it for another five minutes at least.
Color
Color can be a good indicator of whether it is time to take your cake out of the oven. If it is golden brown, then it is likely done.
Though this test is good for white or yellow cakes, it doesn’t work for chocolate or dark-colored cakes. For chocolate cakes, you should smell a fragrant chocolate smell when it is ready to come out of the oven.
Edges pulling away
When you notice the edges pulling away from the cake, that can be a good indicator that it is ready. The edges will pull away just slightly from the pan. If they pull away too much, then that can potentially be a sign that it has been overbaked.
ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer Kitchen Cooking Food Candy
Can You Use a Fork to See if Cake is Done?
You can use a fork to check to see if your cake is done. However, it’s not typically recommended as you don’t want lots of holes in your cake from the fork; particularly if you have to check more than once. Usually, a toothpick or a skewer are the best choices to check if your cake is done because they are small, and thin and only make one hole. You need to lightly poke the implement into the middle of your cake and if it comes out clean (or with very few crumbs), your cake is done.
If you need to use a fork, a carving fork may be the best option. They have a wide space between the two tines, so you can easily tell whether your cake needs longer to bake in the oven or not.
Why Can’t You Eat Raw Angel Food Cake Batter?
Growing up, more often than not, I’d lick the bowl clean once we’d finished baking. It’s only in more recent years that I’ve realized how dangerous that can be. Whether it’s raw angel food cake batter or any other kind of cake batter, it should not be consumed.
The raw batter can be full of many bacteria that can cause problems for you. These types of bacteria are only removed once the cake has been fully baked. From eating raw flour, you can get infections such as E. Coli and by eating eggs that have not been pasteurized, you could be at risk of contracting salmonella. Because of the harm that can come from eating raw angel food cake batter, I find that it’s simply not worth the risk.
What Does Raw Cake Taste Like?
I’ll be honest, raw cake tastes very similar to baked cake. While the texture will be different and it’ll likely be sunken in the middle, the taste itself will be very much the same. When I was younger, I used to love the taste of raw cake! Nowadays, I think it’s simply not worth the risk to eat raw cake. The raw cake also tastes much sweeter and is much more flavorful, as the flavors haven’t been fully baked yet. While it is delicious, the FDA strongly advises not eating it to ensure you’re being as safe as possible.
How Do You Store an Uncooked Cake?
While cake batter is usually best made fresh, if you absolutely need to, you can make it in advance. If you do choose to do this, it must be stored correctly. For example, it must be kept in a container like a mixing bowl, and then be covered in plastic wrap. Even then, it won’t last more than two days. Alternatively, you can place it in a freezer bag and freeze it until needed. However, with how quickly cake batter is to whip up and how much better it tastes fresh, we always advise baking straight after you’ve made the batter.
How Do You Cook Raw Cake?
If you’ve taken your cake out of the oven and realized it’s still raw, it’s not too late to salvage it. If the whole cake seems underdone, just put it back into the oven for around 5-15 minutes, depending on how underdone the cake is. If it’s the center of the cake that’s underdone, lower the temperature of the oven and cover the top with foil. And finally, if the bottom is underdone, cover the top with foil and turn off your top oven, if possible. All of these tips and tricks should help bring your cake back from the edge of being inedible.
Knowing The Internal Temperature Of A Cake
When baking, a cake temperature is done at between 200-210 degrees Fahrenheit. For denser cakes, the temperature should be between 200-205 degrees Fahrenheit. For lighter cakes, the temperature will be between 205-210 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, you do not want your cake to be over 212 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, it will begin to lose moisture which will cause it to dry out.
Though checking the internal temperature can be an accurate way to check if a cake is ready to come out of the oven, there are also other ways. You can also use a toothpick, to check the color and smell, check to see if it springs back, or check to see if the edges are slightly pulled away.
Do you have any questions about the internal temperature of the cake? If so, please ask any questions down below regarding how to tell if a cake is done or not.
Read more about 6 Different Cake Textures And The Best Way To Create Them
Ever since she was a young girl, Anna has been a lover of desserts. As an adult, she enjoys
baking a variety of desserts from cakes, cookies, brownies, bread, and more from scratch. She
enjoys sharing her passion for baking with others who also have a sweet tooth. From properly
measuring ingredients to making sure they are the correct temperature, Anna knows the
importance small details can make in baking. She wants to share her experience with others in
hopes they can make the most delicious baked goods. When she’s not busy blogging, Anna
enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen.
