Why are there bitter bits in my cake?
I made a vanilla cake from scratch using this recipe and when I removed it from the pan, I noticed little brown lumps along the bottom and edges the size of BB pellets.
I tasted one of the spots, thinking it was burnt sugar, but it was very hard and very very bitter. I think it tasted like baking powder but also lemony. This is the second time this has happened to me using different recipes. It never happens when I make a chocolate cake.
All the ingredients today were fresh, everything was at room temperature, and the pan was clean. I greased it with Pam and then placed parchment paper circles. I did not have cake flour, so I used AP flour. The batter looked fine and had no lumps in it, I scraped down the sides of the mixing bowl, and nothing tasted off when I licked the spoon. I think it has something to do with adding the baking powder.
What would cause this?
Best Answer
I have been having this problem on and off. I do think it must have something to do with the baking powder, but it doesnt happen everytime. I keep trying to find an answer but, unless it has happened to you, people think you are crazy.
Pictures about "Why are there bitter bits in my cake?"
Quick Answer about "Why are there bitter bits in my cake?"
One of the most common misfortunes among bakers is that they are using too much baking soda or baking powder. Know that too much baking soda or baking powder in cakes will not just lead to a metallic and bitter taste, but it can also make a big mess in the oven as it will rise beyond expectations.How do you take the bitterness out of a cake?
You can fix bitter cake by adding an acid to your batter. The most common solution is cream of tartar, but depending on your recipe, you may also want to try lemon juice, sour cream, or even some cocoa powder.What happens when too much baking powder is used in cake?
Too much baking powder can cause the batter to be bitter tasting. It can also cause the batter to rise rapidly and then collapse. (i.e. The air bubbles in the batter grow too large and break causing the batter to fall.) Cakes will have a coarse, fragile crumb with a fallen center.WHY DOES YOUR CAKE TASTE BITTER?
More answers regarding why are there bitter bits in my cake?
Answer 2
It may have been baking powder but it doesn't matter what it was.
Cake methods produce a homogeneous batter. There shouldn't be lumps of anything.
The sugar is creamed with the butter until it is smooth. The dry ingredients are mixed together and most recipes call for sifting them into the wet to prevent exactly these kind of lumps. I will admit that, unless my dry ingredients are obviously clumpy, I will often skip the sifting step to save another utensil to clean.
Make sure that you scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure there are no unincorporated ingredients.
Some baked goods, like pancakes or biscuits, intentionally under mix to keep things tender. Cake instead relies on low protein flour and lots of fat to keep things tender and the batter should be completely blended.
Answer 3
I def understand and I agree with changing to aluminum free I never had this issue until I bought store brand baking powder...I usually get the Argo aluminum free and I’ve been baking for years so I know you’re not crazy
Answer 4
I’ve made pancakes and biscuits using a new container of baking powder. It leaves tiny burnt bits that are bitter, salty, and starchy. EXACT same recipe, baking powder is the only variable. It’s store brand since other was out. Not crazy! ?
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: RF._.studio, ROMAN ODINTSOV, ROMAN ODINTSOV, ROMAN ODINTSOV