rodeomom
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Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 16:03:20 GMT
My son's favorite cake growing up was a Streusel swirl bundt cake. Now I am NOT a baker! I make this for him from a box mix. But I can't find the box mix I used when he was little.
So I thought I would look on the internet and make one from scratch. Ha ha ha ha ha . Why no one tried to stop me I don't know.
This is the recipe I found online that I wanted to make:
Cinnamon Streusel Bundt Cake
INGREDIENTS
STREUSEL TOPPING
* 1 cup flour
* 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
* 1 tablespoon cinnamon
* 1/2 cup butter ( 1 stick)
* 1 cup pecans, chopped
CAKE
* 2/3 cup butter, softened
* 2 cups sugar
* 2/3 cup sour cream
* 4 eggs
* 1 tablespoon vanilla
* 2 cups flour
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* vanilla glaze, recipe follows (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 325°F For the Streusel Topping, mix flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Cut in cold butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans. Set aside.
2.For the Cake, beat softened butter, granulated sugar and sour cream in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Gradually beat in flour and baking soda on low speed until well mixed.
3.Spoon 1/2 of the Streusel Topping into greased and floured 12-cup Bundt pan. Spoon 1/2 of the batter over top. Repeat layers.
4.Bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar or drizzle with Vanilla Glaze, if desired.
Sounds good, right? Not to hard, right?
So I preheat the oven, grease and flour the bundt pan.
Start to make the Streusel topping. First I don't have a pastry blender (don't even know what that is) I have a electric hand mixer ( $8.00 at walmart) I don't have any idea how I would use 2 knives to cut in cold butter?
So I just cut the butter in small chunks and tried to mix with the mixer. It kind of looked like crumbs ?? put that aside.
The cake part seems to be going ok. (used fresh eggs from my chickens)
Layered just like it said. put in oven and went about cleaning and doing other stuff to get ready for son and dil.
About 30 mins latter DH comes in any said " What stinks" I go check out the cake! It looks like it exploded over the sides! It's all over the oven. I could cry!
Pull out the cake and let the oven cool down so I can clean it. Sent DH (love that guy) to town (13 mills) to get some ingredients I had used up.
Took me an hour to clean the oven. Tried to think what I had done wrong?? Looked over the recipe a hundred times.
Then it came to me! The pan was the wrong size! Who knew that there were different bundt sizes! Not me. Went looking on line and someone said to use the left over batter to make cupcakes, What a great idea.
Hubby gets home and I start over.........
This time I put the right amount of batter in the pan and fill the left overs in cupcake pan.
This time I go check at about 15 mins. The cupcakes have exploded over the sides! Crap.
I get them out and luckily they haven't massed up the oven. (The pan is bitch to clean).
The bandt looks ok ?
So let it cook. When the timer goes off I get the bandt cake out.
What a disaster! It looks terrible! Smells burnt and has sunken in.
I go ahead and let it cool and then put it on a plate (don't have any racks)
It came out of the pan ok, but kind of cracked in places.
I have DH taste it. You can tell by the look on his face. It goes in the trash.
I can not for the life of me guess why? What happened. Twice!! What did I do!
So looking over the recipe again and again.......
I know what I did........
Up there is the recipe where it calls for 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.........
I used 1/4 CUP, yes yes I did.
So does anyone think I should try again???
Any tips??
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Post by KelleeM on Oct 18, 2016 16:10:51 GMT
Yes!!! You can do it!! Reading the second part of your post I immediately guessed too much baking soda but I've baked for years. We learn from our mistakes... I am sure you've got it all figured out now!
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Post by mlynn on Oct 18, 2016 16:15:41 GMT
I bet that was one salty tasting cake!
I once made zucchini bread and forgot to put in the zucchini
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Oct 18, 2016 16:15:43 GMT
You can do it!!!
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Post by justkat on Oct 18, 2016 16:16:42 GMT
Uummm call a bakery?  Seriously, if you have the ingredients and the time go for it. The tip I'd give you is to read the recipe through before you do anything. Then as you do each step, before putting anything in your bowl,confirm your measurements and ingredients. It sounds like you may just be rushing through out of nervousness of baking from scratch for your son.You can do it. Oh and a pastry cutter looks like this:  (hope that works) You can also use 2 forks. Get the ingredients in a bowl and using the forks just kind of smash/rake them together. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Oct 18, 2016 16:17:03 GMT
Ha. When that kind of thing happens to me, I will do it over and over again until I get it right even if I am up until midnight.  But you can do this. Honestly, like KelleeM said, we all learn by our mistakes. AND lest you think that kind of thing only happens to novices, think again. I bake all the time and when I make mistakes, they are usually big, giant, laugh until you tinkle mistakes and make great stories later on. |
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299 
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Post by Mystie on Oct 18, 2016 16:17:40 GMT
Oh no! I'm laughing with you, not at you, I swear!  I think you are sure to get it right if you try again. It sounds delicious! |
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 16:26:54 GMT
Thanks everyone for the encouragement! I will try again! I'm thinking of buying the bigger pan.
When it said flour in the recipe does that mean all purpose flour?
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 16:29:48 GMT
Uummm call a bakery? Seriously, if you have the ingredients and the time go for it. The tip I'd give you is to read the recipe through before you do anything. Then as you do each step, before putting anything in your bowl,confirm your measurements and ingredients. It sounds like you may just be rushing through out of nervousness of baking from scratch for your son.You can do it. Oh and a pastry cutter looks like this: (hope that works) You can also use 2 forks. Get the ingredients in a bowl and using the forks just kind of smash/rake them together. I think I have one of those things somewhere  |
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Post by anxiousmom on Oct 18, 2016 16:30:35 GMT
Thanks everyone for the encouragement! I will try again! I'm thinking of buying the bigger pan. When it said flour in the recipe does that mean all purpose flour? If the recipe doesn't specifically say cake flour, then yes, you can use all purpose flour. |
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Post by Scrapbrat on Oct 18, 2016 17:36:48 GMT
You know what? Everyone who cooks or bakes has made a silly mistake like that. But honestly, the more you do it, the easier it will become. Of course you should try again!
BTW, most pans have the capacity written somewhere on them. Bundt cake pans, and other cake pans, are pretty standard sizes (like 9 in., or maybe x cups for a Bundt pan). And most recipes will tell you what size pan to use, so just check that against the size written on your pan.
And am I the only one hearing the mom from My Big Fat Greek Wedding saying "It's what? A Booont cake?"
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Post by phoenixcov on Oct 18, 2016 18:15:54 GMT
Everyone makes mistakes no matter how experienced but sometimes there just doesn`t seem to be a reason for a failure. Example, I made some peanut brittle the other day and it just would not set. More like, peanut chewy enough to pull teeth out. Kitchen smelt delicious though.  |
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Oct 18, 2016 18:20:07 GMT
The third time is the charm. You can do this.
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 18:34:53 GMT
Everyone makes mistakes no matter how experienced but sometimes there just doesn`t seem to be a reason for a failure. Example, I made some peanut brittle the other day and it just would not set. More like, peanut chewy enough to pull teeth out. Kitchen smelt delicious though. Maybe someday I will try that ! not likely  |
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Oct 18, 2016 18:39:17 GMT
If all else fails, make the streusel topping and use it with a regular cake mix!
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Post by refugeepea on Oct 18, 2016 18:49:50 GMT
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,176
Location: Alabama
Member is Online
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Post by janeinbama on Oct 18, 2016 18:51:07 GMT
If have had a few epic fails. I baked a 7up pound cake for my Grandmother's birthday using my MIL's recipe. My butter was not soft, so I put it in the microwave to soften (melt) The cake tasted like sardines to DH! In my defense, I was a young bride! My MIL made the cake for me.
I made Bananas Foster from a Southern Living magazine which indicated it was beginner level. We were having a Labor Day BBQ and everyone gathered around when I lit the bananas. We served it up, my DH took a bite and spit his out, a dear friend of mine took a bite and nodded it was good. DH told him is was ok to spit it out so he did. We had Blue Bell ice cream for dessert that day. 10 years ago now.
I can make the 7up cake very well - have never tried Bananas Foster again.
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 18:59:06 GMT
If all else fails, make the streusel topping and use it with a regular cake mix! Wish I had thought of that! |
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Post by jenjie on Oct 18, 2016 19:19:05 GMT
Everyone makes mistakes no matter how experienced but sometimes there just doesn`t seem to be a reason for a failure. Example, I made some peanut brittle the other day and it just would not set. More like, peanut chewy enough to pull teeth out. Kitchen smelt delicious though. Maybe someday I will try that ! not likely I love peanut brittle! Too bad I can't eat it. It breaks my teeth. But yeah for that you actually need baking soda for the frothy effect. It's kind of cool to watch. Once I made a blueberry pie with baking soda instead of baking powder. It was so nasty. On a side note, autocorrect tried to give me Sosa and sofa before allowing me to use soda. Strange. |
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
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Post by RosieKat on Oct 18, 2016 19:30:49 GMT
You obviously love your son dearly!  If you still have the oomph, go for another try. If not, I totally second a regular cake with a streusel topping! |
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Post by mlynn on Oct 18, 2016 19:31:17 GMT
Everyone makes mistakes no matter how experienced but sometimes there just doesn`t seem to be a reason for a failure. Example, I made some peanut brittle the other day and it just would not set. More like, peanut chewy enough to pull teeth out. Kitchen smelt delicious though. It may have been the humidity. I have a friend who really pays attention to this, but I don't. She won't even make fudge unless the humidity is right. |
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 19:33:42 GMT
Everyone makes mistakes no matter how experienced but sometimes there just doesn`t seem to be a reason for a failure. Example, I made some peanut brittle the other day and it just would not set. More like, peanut chewy enough to pull teeth out. Kitchen smelt delicious though. It may have been the humidity. I have a friend who really pays attention to this, but I don't. She won't even make fudge unless the humidity is right. Wow that's dedicated! |
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 19:34:24 GMT
You obviously love your son dearly! If you still have the oomph, go for another try. If not, I totally second a regular cake with a streusel topping! yes he's my 35 years old baby.  |
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Post by shelby on Oct 18, 2016 20:06:20 GMT
I've been baking since I was in my early teens. Made wedding cakes for years and I can still make some doozie mistakes. Not too long ago I had my daughter and family for daughter's birthday dinner. She wanted a blueberry pie instead of a birthday cake so I made a trip to Costco for the berries and made two pies. After taking the pies out of the oven I sprinkled sugar all over the tops of them. They looked beautiful. But when DD took one taste of hers, she gagged and spit it out. I had sprinkled salt over them instead of sugar. We ended up taking the top crust off and serving them with ice cream on top so all wasn't lost. I don't see the family letting me live it down for a long time though LOL
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Post by cbet on Oct 18, 2016 20:44:13 GMT
It may have been the humidity. I have a friend who really pays attention to this, but I don't. She won't even make fudge unless the humidity is right. Wow that's dedicated! Not to be scary, but when you're making fudge or some other candies, it's not dedicated - it's a necessity. I tried making some divinity (seafoam) for my father-in-law one year when it was raining outside, and that stuff would NOT fluff up and set. The humidity in the air affects it. It wasn't awful tasting, but the texture was all wrong. I had an acquaintance who couldn't understand what the big deal was with making fudge - she thought it was just the easiest thing in the world. Because she lived in Arizona, where it tends to not get so humid |
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 21:58:20 GMT
Not to be scary, but when you're making fudge or some other candies, it's not dedicated - it's a necessity. I tried making some divinity (seafoam) for my father-in-law one year when it was raining outside, and that stuff would NOT fluff up and set. The humidity in the air affects it. It wasn't awful tasting, but the texture was all wrong. I had an acquaintance who couldn't understand what the big deal was with making fudge - she thought it was just the easiest thing in the world. Because she lived in Arizona, where it tends to not get so humid I did not know that! |
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 21:59:34 GMT
I've been baking since I was in my early teens. Made wedding cakes for years and I can still make some doozie mistakes. Not too long ago I had my daughter and family for daughter's birthday dinner. She wanted a blueberry pie instead of a birthday cake so I made a trip to Costco for the berries and made two pies. After taking the pies out of the oven I sprinkled sugar all over the tops of them. They looked beautiful. But when DD took one taste of hers, she gagged and spit it out. I had sprinkled salt over them instead of sugar. We ended up taking the top crust off and serving them with ice cream on top so all wasn't lost. I don't see the family letting me live it down for a long time though LOL This makes me feel better  |
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Post by mollycoddle on Oct 18, 2016 22:32:07 GMT
Sure-you figured out what you did. Things like that happen. If you didn't do it this time, I suggest measuring your cake ingredients before you start. Especially spices, baking soda, baking powder, etc. it just makes everything easier. You can do it! |
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conchita
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Jul 1, 2014 11:25:58 GMT
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Post by conchita on Oct 18, 2016 22:38:02 GMT
I really want you to give it another try. That way you can come back and update your thread and tell us you have made the most delicious cake your son has ever eaten!
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,663
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Oct 18, 2016 23:27:45 GMT
I really want you to give it another try. That way you can come back and update your thread and tell us you have made the most delicious cake your son has ever eaten! Well I will but it will be next month before he comes back for a visit. |
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