The easiest way to improve the cake is with a suction. Here is our guide.

Not to sound like a sales pitch, but what if there was a way to make your cakes more delicious and moist with the addition of one simple ingredient and about 30 extra seconds?

there is! And it won't cost you $19.99 plus shipping and handling either.

Dipping cakes is a beloved confectioner's trick that elevates your cakes in so many ways. For many bakers, a cake is incomplete without one. To master the cake soak and maximize it in your baking, read on.

What are candy puffs?

Cake dip is liquid that is spread directly onto each cake layer after baking, but before it is raised and filled. The liquid “dips” into the cake, adding more moisture to prevent the cake from drying out and to provide additional flavor and/or sweetness.

Small glass bowls filled with different cake dipping options — A variety of liquids can be used as a cake.

What can I use to moisten the cake?

Cake dips can include a variety of liquids. A common choice is simple syrup, a mixture of equal parts (by volume) of granulated sugar and water that is heated until the sugar dissolves. Simple syrups are a useful choice because they can easily be infused with a variety of flavors to complement the profile of your cake. Submit espresso powder, SPICESflowers, citrus juice, rose water, vanilla extracteven more.

You can also use other liquids, such as milk (add a big splash of vanilla extract for more flavor), coconut milk, or liqueurs like rum or amaro. As Christina Tosi, a cake evangelist, writes All about cake a cake can really be “any liquid that tells the 'taste story'” of your cake.

Tiramisu features an express dip in layers of sponge cake.

When and how should I use a dessert?

Cake puffs can be used with almost any type of cake, but they are especially good for sponge cakes – which are literally called “sponge cakes” because they absorb liquids easily. See ours Tiramisu, which combines thin layers of sponge cake with a delicious espresso dip. Options like chiffon cake OR genesis are good choices here.

A cake that is already very moist and dense – like a pound cake — won't really benefit from soaking, as it will be difficult for the liquid to fully penetrate and the cake is already too moist without it. On the opposite end of that spectrum, a super light and delicate cake, like angel food cakeit can get wet when washed with liquid, so skip soaking.

Baker brushing the simple syrup cake, dip it into the round cake layer — Apply the cake batter in a thin layer using a pastry brush.

To add a puff to your cake, use a pastry brush to apply a thin layer of liquid to the top of your cake. You don't want to add so much liquid that it pools on top of the cake; instead, spread a thin layer, wait 5 to 10 minutes or more for the liquid to soak into the cake, then spread more, if desired. Some bakers poke holes in their cakes to allow the liquid to penetrate deeper, but this is not necessary.

It's hard to over-soak a cake unless you really pour in the liquid, but try not to overdo it. If you are aggressive with the amount of liquid you are adding, you can cause the cake to become soggy and fall apart.

Thinly sliced top layer cake — Removing a very thin layer from the top of the cake allows the liquid to be absorbed more easily.

Expert Tips for Indulging Your Sweets

Treat your cake like a salad: “Cake breaks should have a balance of tart, sweet and savory notes — just like vinaigrette for your favorite salad,” advises pastry chef Natasha Pickowicz in her cookbook. More than cake. “Try adding champagne or balsamic vinegar to the dip, a spoonful of jam, or a grind of black pepper.”

Turn things upside down: To ensure that the icing is able to fully penetrate the cake, turn the layer upside down. The open crumb on the underside of the cake allows the liquid to soak more evenly and thoroughly into the cake.

Remove the top layer: Alternatively, you can borrow a trick from our recipe tester Lydia Fournier: Use your fingers or a nylon spreader to remove the dark crust from the top of the cake. This not only exposes the cake crumbs for better absorption, but also prevents a gummy layer from forming. (You can also use a serrated knife or cake leveler to cut a thin layer on top of the cake.)

Don't have a pastry brush? No problem: If you don't have a pastry brush, you can apply a cake by drizzling it lightly over the surface of the cake with a spoon, then using the back of the spoon to gently spread the liquid in an even layer over the entire surface of the cake. cake. Some bakers also like to use a squeeze bottle to pour in a thin, even layer.