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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ย. 2024
- On a cozy afternoon, the sunlight pours through the window on the soft tabletop, and beside a cup of steaming coffee, there are all kinds of ingredients that will soon become a delicious cake. Cake, a dessert that combines sweetness and happiness, is not only a regular at celebratory moments, but also a source of small happiness in everyday life. So, how exactly do you make a cake? Next, let's step into this sweet making journey together.
Preparation: Materials and Tools
First of all, before making a cake, we need to prepare a series of basic ingredients and necessary tools. Ingredients usually include low gluten flour (for fluffiness), sugar (for sweetness), eggs (for structure and flavor), milk (for moistness), butter (for texture and aroma), and vanilla extract, lemon juice, etc. to taste. For tools, you'll need at least one large bowl to mix the batter, a whisk (either manual or electric) to whip the egg whites or whole eggs, a baking sheet or mold, and an oven and thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperatures.
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Don't forget to preheat the oven to the right temperature before you start making the batter. Generally speaking, for sponge cakes or chiffon cakes, a preheating temperature between 160°C and 180°C is suitable, but you should adjust the temperature according to your own oven. Preheating the oven is the key step to ensure that the cake is heated evenly and expands smoothly.
Step 2: Separate the egg whites from the yolks
Carefully separate the egg whites from the yolks and place them in two separate clean, waterless, oil-free bowls. This step is very important, because if the egg whites are mixed with grease or water, it will affect the whipping effect of the egg whites, which in turn will affect the fluffiness of the cake.
Step 3: Make the egg yolk batter
Add the granulated sugar to the bowl of egg yolks and gently mix well with a whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved without over-whipping. Afterwards, add the milk and melted butter (note that the butter needs to be heated in advance until liquid and slightly cooled) and continue to mix well. Finally, sift in the low gluten flour and gently mix until there is no dry flour, using a cutting or tossing technique, to avoid over mixing and causing the batter to rise and affect the texture.
Step 4: Whip the egg whites
In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer or a handheld whisk, beat the egg whites until coarse peaks form, then add the sugar in three batches, beating well after each addition, until the meringue has fine, glossy peaks, with firm curved hooks (for wet foams) or small, upright corners (for dry foams) when you lift up the whisk. The degree of whipping of the meringue will directly affect the fluffiness and texture of the cake.
Step 5: Mix the batter
Take about one-third of the meringue and add it to the egg yolk batter, gently mix it well by cutting or flipping to avoid foam. Pour the batter back into the remaining meringue and continue mixing with the same technique until the batter is fine and fluffy.
Step 6: Molding and Baking
Pour the batter into a greased baking tray or mold and shake gently to remove any large air bubbles. After that, send the baking tray or mold into the preheated oven and set the appropriate baking time according to the type and size of the cake. Generally speaking, bake in the middle layer for about 25 to 40 minutes, during which you can observe the color change on the surface of the cake and insert a toothpick into the center of the cake to determine whether it is cooked or not (pulling it out without any sticky tape is sufficient).
Step 7: Unmold and Decorate
At the end of baking, remove the cake and shake it gently on the table to release the internal heat, then place it upside down immediately to prevent it from shrinking back. Allow the cake to cool completely before unmolding. At this point, you can decorate the cake according to your personal preference, such as spreading buttercream, sprinkling powdered sugar, arranging fruits, etc. to make the cake more beautiful and attractive.
Conclusion
Cake making is not only a feast for the taste buds, but also a healing journey for the soul. From preparing the ingredients to decorating the cake, every step contains the love and pursuit of a better life. All the hard work and waiting are transformed into a full of love and pursuit of a better life when the golden, soft and delicious cake is presented in front of your eyes.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
