Category: Daily Living
Today, I made and baked a pineapple upside down cake. The problem was that the recipe I had didn't have an amount of time to bake the cake. I tried to quickly look it up online, but the amount of time ranged from 30 to 80 minutes. I just decided on 40, then I would have my father check on the cake for me.
I do not live on my own yet, but as a totally blind individual, I wonder how I would go about checking any dessert--cookies, pie, cake, and so on, to see if they are done baking. Obviously, after making a dish a few times, I can just set the timer, then remove the dish afterward, but this was my first time making this cake by myself.
What are some techniques you guys use to see if a dish or dessert is done?
Thanks.
you can stick a toothpick in the center, and if it comes out clean, it's done. Not totally foolproof, but pretty close.
My first advice is to use recipes that include specific time and temperature for things to be baked at. I'm not sure why your recipe didn't have one: I've never seen a recipe that didn't give a length of time for the food to be baked. But Anthony is right. Stuff like that is done if you can insert a toothpick or a fork into it and have it come out clean. If there's dough on it still, it needs longer.
You can also brush your hand over the top of the dessert. If it feels dry usually it's time to take it out even if it is still soft to the touch because it will continue to cook a few minutes after you take it out. Cakes usually bake anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes or longer. Cookie recipes usually give you about 8 to 10 or 10 to 12 minutes. I agree with the previous posters. It's good to find recipes that give you a specific time. But desserts aren't always done when the recipe says they should be so it's also good to know how to check them yourself.
Good suggestion about the toothpick and/or the fork. Also, you can tell when it's almost done by the smell.