Sunken Cake Troubleshooting Guide
Your thermometer hits that perfect 198°F, you pull the cake out, and five minutes later, the center sinks into a crater!
When a cake reaches the correct internal temperature but still sinks, it means the internal pressure (steam and CO2) was stronger than the protein structure (flour and eggs). At high altitude, this balance is incredibly delicate.
SUNKEN CAKE TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
**Cake Strips to insulate the sides of your pan
The Three-Step Check
If your temperatures are right but your results are wrong, try these three advanced altitude adjustments in order:
1. Strengthen the Exterior
At high altitudes, the protein in your flour has to work twice as hard. If you are using All-Purpose flour, try swapping it for Bread Flour or adding 1 teaspoon of Vital Wheat Gluten per cup of flour. This gives the cake the structure it needs to hold its shape against low atmospheric pressure.
2. The Gradual Cooling Method
Going from a 350°F oven to a 68°F mountain kitchen causes a ‘thermal shock’.
The Fix: Turn the oven off, crack the door open 1 inch, and let the cake sit inside for 5 minutes before removing it completely. This allows the internal pressure to equalize slowly.
3. The ‘Flour-Egg’ Ratio
If you have adjusted the leavening and the cake still sinks, it likely needs an addition to help it hold together.
The Fix: Add one extra egg white to the batter. Egg whites provide protein without adding the heavy fat of the yolk, helping the cake set its crumb more firmly before the water reaches its lower boiling point.
Visualizing the Altitude Bake
Understanding the "Critical Zone" is key. At sea level, your cake has a long time to set. At 6,000+ feet, you are racing against the boiling point of water.
Explore More High-Altitude Baking
If you enjoyed this content, head over to our High Altitude Baking Made Simple page. It’s our combined resource for mastering the science of elevated baking, featuring helpful adjustment charts and troubleshooting tips for different altitudes.
Looking for more mountain-tested favorites?
Moist and Rich: High Altitude Chocolate Cake
Soft & Fluffy: High Altitude Yellow Cake
Altitude Affects More Than Your Kitchen
From how bread rises to how your body hydrates, living high up requires a different approach. Whether you’re looking to troubleshoot a fallen cake or want to optimize your wellness routine, we’ve got the high-altitude answers you need.
At Simply Altitude, we’re here to help you master the peaks.
Explore more resources below:
High Altitude Baking | Perfect your recipes with elevation-adjusted tips.
High Altitude Cooking | Master stovetop and oven techniques for mountain meals.
Living Well at High Altitude | Stay hydrated and healthy while enjoying the view.
New to life at elevation?
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Living at High-Altitude Resource Guide | Baking, Gardening, and Thriving Above the Clouds