Why Does My Cake Fall Apart?

Last Updated on May 27, 2021

Have you ever asked yourself the frustrating question- why does my cake fall apart? If so, you likely dealt with the struggles of a cake gone wrong. It is frustrating to put in all that hard work of baking a cake only for it to fall apart.

There are many different reasons that your cake may fall apart. No matter what the reason is, it is annoying to deal with the end result. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to identify what causes your cake to fall apart and how to fix them.

Why Does My Cake Fall Apart?

There is no doubt about it that a cake falling apart is frustrating. You spent all that time making it, only for it to come apart when you go to serve it. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take while making your cake to help ensure it won’t fall apart.

Too Much Moisture

Adding too much moisture to your cake, like milk, buttermilk, or oil, can cause it to fall apart. There won’t be a proper balance between the wet and dry ingredients. This will cause the structure to not be able to stay together because there is too much moisture in the batter.

Too Little Moisture

In addition to too much moisture, too little moisture can cause the cake to fall apart. Not enough moisture means the cake will be dry. This will cause it to crumble when you try to cut it.

It Was Too Hot When You Cut It

While a cake cools, it is still setting and is delicate. When cutting a cake when it is too hot, the structure is not fully set. This can cause it to fall apart if you cut into it while it is still hot.

Didn’t Bake It For the Right Amount of Time

If you don’t bake your cake for long enough, or on the other hand, bake it for too long, the texture will be wrong. In both cases, it may lead to your cake falling apart. Cakes are delicate and bake time is very important to achieving the right texture.

Your Frosting is Too Stiff

If your frosting is too stiff, it can cause the cake to crumble when decorating. If the frosting is stiff, it won’t spread smoothly. This will tear at the delicate outside layer of the cake.

How to Prevent Your Cake From Falling Apart

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent your cake from falling apart. By following these, you can help ensure your cake has a lovely, tender texture.

Make Sure to Carefully Measure Your Ingredients

Be sure to carefully measure your ingredients to ensure you are getting the right amount of everything. Weighing your ingredients is the most accurate way to measure them out.

Make Sure to Bake it According to the Recipe

Be sure to bake your cake for the amount of time the recipe you are using calls for. Use a toothpick to check if your cake is done. If it comes out clean, your cake is done, if not, put it back in the oven for a few more minutes.

Allow it to Fully Cool

Allow your cake to fully cool before cutting or decorating. Let it sit in the pan for a few minutes after coming out of the oven.

Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack and allow it to completely cool before moving it. When transferring it to a wire rack, gently invert the pan onto the rack to reduce the chances of it breaking.

Use Room Temperature Frosting When Decorating

Frosting temperature is important when decorating a cake. You will want to use room-temperature frosting. Frosting that is too cold will be stiff and can cause the cake to tear when you try to spread it.

Use an Offset Spatula to Frost

When decorating your cake, use an offset spatula to frost. This will allow the frosting to smoothly spread across your cake. You want to avoid using rubber spatulas, as they are not delicate enough.

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No More Cake Falls Apart When Cutting

But why did my cake fall apart? Crumbly cakes that fall apart are just downright annoying. Not only are they messy, but they can also ruin the texture of your cake. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to stop this from happening, allowing you to bake a delicious cake.

Do you have any questions on why did my cake fell apart? If so, please ask them in the comments down below.