Bake A Cake And We'll Totally Guess Your Favorite Actor
- by Jocelyn Harper
- – on
- in Entertainment
Hello chefs and bakers! Baking a cake is more than just mixing together ingredients and throwing it in the oven. Baking a cake is an experience in the kitchen, and it can be different for everyone! There is the heat from the oven, the scent of yummy baked goods, the sound of eggs cracking. It is all a part of the experience. There are big cakes, small cakes, tall cakes, and short cakes. And if all goes according to plan, they are delicious and enjoyable.
This quiz is all about making choices to build the perfect cake. This is a quiz that professional bakers and new bakers can take to create their dream cake and have fun while doing it! There will be questions about the types of sugar used in cake, the shape of the cake and even what the cake will be served on. This quiz will include things like oven temperature and flour options too. There are so many ways to customize the perfect baked dessert. And when it's done the cake will be extremely unique. Once all the cake ingredients are selected, we will reveal your favorite actor! Are you ready to bake? Bakers, let's begin!
Will you use white eggs or brown eggs?
This is a choice many people make in the grocery store when shopping for ingredients. But what is the difference between brown eggs and white eggs? There is actually not much difference at all. The only thing different is the color of the shell. Gizmodo writes, "Chickens tend to produce eggs in one of two colors, white and brown. Genes determine shell color. Shell quality does not differ by breed, though younger chickens lay eggs with harder shells. Brown-egg chickens tend to be larger."
What kind of sugar will be used?
There are plenty of options when it comes to sweet sugar for baking in the kitchen. The Kitchn writes, "Light brown sugar is refined white sugar with a small amount of molasses added in. It has a wet, sandy texture — although less sticky than muscovado sugar — and a delicate caramel flavor." They compare it to cane sugar saying that, "cane sugar is produced solely from sugarcane and is minimally processed. It also has a slightly larger grain, darker color, and higher price tag. Use cane sugar the same way you would granulated sugar."
What kind of milk?
Everyone has heard the slogan, "Got Milk?" Milk is a part of all life on earth, as we begin drinking milk as newborns. When it comes to cake, a variety of milk options are available. "Lactose-free milk is real cow’s milk — just like the other types of milk — but with one difference. The natural sugar in milk, called lactose, has been broken down. This makes it a great option for people who are lactose intolerant. It still contains the same essential nutrients" (MilkLife)
Which cake pan?
The kind of pan used to bake a cake will determine the shape of the final product. Unless the cake is going to be cut down into a different shape. Regardless, it is important to choose the right pan. "Typically square, rectangular, or circular in shape, traditional cake pans are the standard choice for baking many different kinds of cakes. They have high, straight sides and flat bottoms to create cakes that you can torte or trim to make level, and then layer." (Web Restaurant Store)
What flavor is preferred?
Here is one of the most important choices for this dream cake. What flavor will the cake be? There are so many flavor options, it might get hard to choose. Some of the basic cake flavors might be chocolate, vanilla, white, red velvet, spice or marble. Then there are more complex flavor options like White Chocolate Covered Strawberry or Orange Dreamsicle (Cozze Cakes). Select the flavor that best fits the dream cake, and we will soon reveal your favorite actor!
How many tiers?
Choosing the number of tiers for the cake is important, because the more people there are, the larger the cake should be. Some may think a high number of tiers in more for a wedding. However, tall cakes can be for fun too. When it comes to weddings, Wedding Mag says this. "A traditional wedding cake has three tiers and each tier of a wedding cake has its own significance. Tradition has it that the bottom tier is for eating at the ceremony, the middle tier for distributing after the event, and the top tier was saved."
What flavor frosting?
Mmmmm, frosting. Some people love the frosting so much they will eat it by itself! That is why this decision is important. There is more to the story than just selecting a random flavor for the frosting. "Knowing how to choose the right frosting is an essential skill for any baker! Sure, knowing the chemistry of cakes and the proper baking techniques is important. But the right kind of frosting can make or break your fresh baked goods." (The Best Dessert Recipes)
Does candy belong on a cake?
A cake is already a sweet treat, but imagine taking it to the next level by adding some candy to the top! Depending on the flavor of the cake a wide variety of candy will work well. Tastemade says to make a funfetti cake that is covered in rainbow gummy bears. Other recipes show Kit Kat bars, Snickers bars, Twix or other chocolate favorites. Not everyone agrees that candy should be on cake. Decide if candy is a yes or no!
What kind of candy on top?
Now it's time to choose exactly which candy works best. Depending on the flavor of the cake a wide variety of candy will work well. Tastemade says make a funfetti cake that is covered in rainbow gummy bears. Other recipes show Kit Kat bars, snickers bars, Twix or other chocolate favorites. Rock candy can be used to look like crystals or amazing geodes. Not everyone agrees that candy should be on cake. Decide if candy is a yes or no!
What kind of flour?
One important ingredient for baking a cake is the flour. Livestrong says, "All-purpose flour works in many baking situations, but it's not right for every cake. Flour contains protein, which forms gluten when mixed or kneaded. Gluten gives yeast breads their chewy, rustic texture, but it makes cakes tough and dry. The lower the protein content of the flour, the more tender a cake. Match the flour you use with the type of cake you're baking." Pick the best flour!
What extract?
Are you new to using extracts? Frontier Coop explains, "In some recipes, using a flavor extract or flavor is easier and yields a tastier, more uniform result than adding the actual ingredient itself. For example, cherry flavor might be preferable to using chopped cherries in some breads, cakes or cookies." There are tons of flavors for extracts, like chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla, almond or banana. But only one will be right for this dream cake! Choose from the four of these options.
Which fruit will be layered?
Adding some fresh fruit to a cake can bring out a fresh, light taste. Having fruit on hand is great for snacking while the cake is being prepared. Fruit would be considered a filling according to Epicurious. "Anything that goes between the layers of a cake (or inside the cake, if it's rolled up) is called the filling. Many cakes use more than one type of filling—either all together, such as whipped cream and berries between each layer." What will be the fruit inside!
What kind of plates will the cake be served on?
Serving the cake is a chance to finally let everyone taste the wonderful creation. A cake that took time to make should be served with thoughtful design. The cake could be stationed at a cake table, with people lining up to grab a beautiful porcelain plate. Or the cake may be pre-sliced onto paper plates. Make sure it is served up and ready for photos! How will this cake be served? Choose a method and we will reveal the favorite actor.
What garnish will be next to the cake slice?
In the world of fine dining a garnish is mandatory. Desserts are a chance to have a beautiful garnish that wows the crowd. Our Everyday Life says, "Garnishes add flair to a plain cake and take a more elaborate cake up a notch. Distinct from a cake's frosting, a garnish can be used even if a cake is not iced. Fruit and nut garnishes on an unfrosted cake raise the health quotient of a dessert, letting diners bypass sugary frostings and their empty calories. Anything edible is fair game to use as a garnish, giving bakers a nearly unlimited supply of fresh ideas."
Is ice cream required to be served with cake?
Many people believe ice cream and cake go hand in hand. Now is the time to decide. Real Simple has a great suggestion for serving ice cream on a plate. "Save minutes (and your poor wrist) by trading in an ice cream scoop for a knife. Place a cylindrical cardboard container of slightly softened ice cream on a cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise to create 2 half-circles. Turn each portion of ice cream cut-side down." Wow! Yes or no?
Cake should be served with which ice cream?
There are so many ice cream flavors. Many people believe ice cream and cake go hand in hand. Now is the time to decide. Real Simple has a great suggestion for serving ice cream on a plate. "Save minutes (and your poor wrist) by trading in an ice cream scoop for a knife. Place a cylindrical cardboard container of slightly softened ice cream on a cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise to create 2 half-circles" Wow! Yes or no?
Sprinkles?
Growing up most of us put sprinkles onto ice cream, cupcakes, cake or donuts. They look so pretty! Does anyone know what sprinkles are actually made of? Food Republic says, "the short answer is: sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, a little food-grade wax (for those of us who eat wax) and artificial coloring and flavoring. Mmm. The long answer is this: sugar, cornstarch, cocoa and an emulsifier are combined into a doughy paste and pushed through an extruder with very small holes — think angel hair pasta."
Is it alright to use a box mix?
The idea of baking a cake completely from scratch might sound daunting to some. Many people use box mixes because they are easy and taste great! CakeBoss says, "Cake mixes have been readily available in the United States since the 1950’s. Food conglomerates have spent millions of dollars perfecting their formulas to create a tasty cake that is, essentially, fool-proof." They go onto say that deciding between box mix and scratch is like deciding between colors. It is all personal preference.
What is the cake celebrating?
Reasons to celebrate happen year round! Once the reason for celebrating is decided, then the choice of cake decor can be locked down. Whether you are celebrating a grad, a wedding, a birthday or retirement, cake is always welcome! If there is no particular reason for the cake, that is awesome too. Baking a cake can make any day more fun, and it will bring loved ones together at the dessert table. Time to choose a celebration reason for this cake.
How will the batter be mixed?
Usually when baking a cake, one would use an electric mixer. Baking Kneads says, "f you’ve never baked a cake before, you’re probably under the assumption that you need one of those fancy (and expensive) stand mixers to get the job done. Not only is this not true, you can even get by without using one of those less expensive hand mixers as well!" That is great news. What is preferable - mixing the batter by hand or with an electric mixer?
How will you check if it is ready?
There are quite a few ways to tell if a cake is done baking. It would be unfortunate to get all the ingredients together, and pull it from the oven before it is ready. The Kitchn says, "The cake is usually done when you see the sides of the cake just start to pull away from the pan." They add, "Any thin skewer can be used as a cake tester, but many bakers just use a simple toothpick. If you insert it into the center of the cake, it should come out clean, with no streaks of batter."
Who is the cake for?
Depending on the audience, the cake might be created with a different approach. Kids and adults both love cake, but they might want it a different way. Think about who this celebration is for, and who the guests will be. Maybe it will be a child's birthday party. Maybe it will be for a retirement. The crowd could also be mixed! Kids might want a superhero or cartoon theme. Adults might want something bold, clean and delicious. Who is it for?
Who will help in the kitchen
Sometimes baking a cake is a chance to have some time alone. Other times, it's a family affair, and everyone gets a chance to help with a different step. Joining forces with the kids could be bonding time, but it may take some extra patience to make sure the final result is great. No matter how you slice it, baking a cake is a fun experience with a delicious outcome. Who will participate in the kitchen for this yummy cake?
The perfect cake is
There are so many kinds of cake in the world, that it is hard to choose one type. Vegans recipes have some of the most beautiful cakes, with all plant based ingredients. Sugary sweet cakes are great for easing a sweet tooth. Many people just love ice cream cakes, and eat them up before they melt. Others prefer cheesecake, and the wide variety of flavors it comes in. In this quiz question, choose which kind of cake takes the cake!
What temperature will the oven be?
Most recipes require the oven to be somewhere between 350 and 450 degree Fahrenheit. The over temperature depends on the kind of cake that is being created. The Cake Blog says, "During baking, a cake batter undergoes a complex process of chemical and physical reactions which transform it from goo into light, fluffy delightfulness. Each of these actions takes place when the batter reaches a particular temperature and the rate at which they occur is dependent on how hot the oven is."
Will there also be cake pops?
Who loves cake pops? Wikipedia defines them as, " cake pop is a form of cake styled as a lollipop. Cake crumbs are mixed with icing or chocolate, and formed into small spheres or cubes in the same way as cake balls, before being given a coating of icing, chocolate or other decorations and attached to lollipop sticks [1] Cake pops can be a way of using up leftover cake or cake crumbs." They can come in addition to the main cake!
Candles?
Candles can turn a regular cake into a celebratory show. Candles come in the shape of numbers, letter, sticks or other fun shapes. Some candles are for jokes, and they will never blow out. Sparklers are beautiful candles that really steal the show, making everyone stop and look. Layer Cake Shop even sells candle holders shaped like flowers, flamingos or even rainbows. Candles work for many occasions. Will this wonderful cake creation have candles on top? Time to choose!
Taste test the batter before the cake bakes?
When baking, many of us sneak a taste of the batter from the mixer or spoon. It is an age old habit! HuffPost warns us taste testers to be careful with raw batter or dough. "Nestlé started heat-treating all the flour in its cookie dough when the FDA linked raw cookie dough to an E. coli outbreak in 2009, though it’s unlikely the whole industry will be able to update to the infrastructure and technology needed for heat-treating any time soon, LiveScience reported."
Baking powder or baking soda?
What is the difference between baking powder and baking soda? Sallys Baking Addiction gives us some insight. "Baking powder and baking soda are both leaveners, however they are chemically different. When a recipe calls for baking soda (BASE), it usually calls for some type of ACID. Like buttermilk, brown sugar, yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar, or honey. Baking powder contains baking soda. It is a mixture of baking soda, cream of tartar (a dry acid), and sometimes cornstarch." Which works for this cake?
Best theme for a cake?
Stylizing the cake will make it even more fun for photos! But which style is the best fit? Drip cakes are super trendy lately. My Blu Print says, "You Need: Chilled cake covered in buttercream or fondant (The chilled part's important here, so keep it in the fridge until you're ready to get glazing), heavy cream (or whipping cream), white or dark chocolate, gel or paste food coloring (appropriate for use with white chocolate), angled palette knife, tablespoon, microwaveable glass bowl or measuring cup and a spatula"
What texture should the cake be?
This is a question of personal preference for cakes. Cooking Light says, "A cake is essentially a chemistry experiment—a series of ingredients mixed in a specific order to cause reactions that produce specific effects. Butter cakes, like pound cakes and most layer cakes, get their soft, fine texture and moistness by first creaming together fat and sugar, adding eggs, and slowly incorporating dry ingredients into the mixture while alternating with a liquid. Angel food, sponge, and chiffon cakes get their signature airy, foamlike textures when whole eggs or egg whites."
What is the goal for this cake?
Of course we want to achieve it all, but what is the main goal for this cake? Is the goal to wow the crowd with amazing texture and taste? People will keep coming back for another slice. Maybe the goal is to decorate the exterior of the cake so that it looks perfect for photos. This could be a practice cake, serving as a chance to hone the baking skills. Or it could be to celebrate an accomplishment! What is it for?
What drink goes best with the cake?
Having a big slice of cake requires having some beverage to wash it down. Think about the crowd and decide what delicious drink will go with the cake. Will it be a hot cup of coffee, lemonade, champagne or classic milk. Some people even have martinis, white wine or mocktails with cake. Select an option for a beverage pairing and we will reveal your favorite actor. Keep in mind that the drink that is paired with the cake can often be a huge part of the overall experience.
How will you store the cake?
Once the day has ended, if there is still cake it must be stored. Storage options are up to the baker! Will the remainder of the cake be stored in a cake stand? This way people can see it on the counter and take more as the days go by. Sun Sentinel advises on how long cakes with frosting can be stored. "Whipped cream frosted cakes: Store in refrigerator up to 3 days. Simple buttercream frosted cakes: Store at room temperature about 3 days or up to 1 week in refrigerator."
Pick a layer filling
Adding a fruit filling is a fun and delicious addition to the everyday cake recipe. The kind of fruits that are available will depend on the season. Consider the time of year before choosing apple cinnamon, chocolate or caramel filling. There are many other fillings too. DIYs says you can make a chocolate layer cake with cream cheese filling or even a strawberry jelly layer cake filling. Cakes are so customizable! What filling will this particular cake have in store?
Pick the best topping
Toppings are a nice element to add to a cake. Sometimes the toppings are so good frosting is not even necessary. The Kitchn offers some suggestions for toppings. Glaze, powdered sugar, edible flowers, fresh berries, almonds or chocolate sauce. We are getting hungry just thinking about it! "A pile of mixed fresh fruit is one of my favorite ways to instantly up the ante with any cake. It’s a fresh and stunning addition anytime, and it works with everything from layer cakes to skillet cakes to pound cakes."
What holiday could this cake be for?
Some cakes can be customized for upcoming holidays. Holidays have strong colors, tastes and decor that are associated with them. For example a Christmas cake would most likely have reds, greens, golds and silver. It might have a red velvet or pumpkin flavor. Depending on the holiday this cake could be for, the recipe might change. Select a holiday that could be related to this cake so we can reveal your absolute favorite actor! Time to make a choice.
What is the best color for the frosting?
Frosting is a very customizable aspect of the cake. The cake can be whatever color you would like! To get the perfect color, start with pure white frosting, according to the Food Network. "You can mix these colors with a standard box of red (r), yellow (y), blue (b) and green (g) food coloring. Mix 1 cup frosting with the drops indicated. Do not add vanilla extract as it will alter the color." What color is best for this cake!
Thoughts on adding liquor into the cake batter?
How to bake with alcohol? It can be done! The Cake Blog explains why it's delicious! "Alcohol improves the flavor of a cake in two ways. It incorporates flavors which are present in the alcohol itself and are determined by the fruit, grain or other source and the fermentation process. Alcohol is volatile, meaning it evaporates easily. When the alcohol evaporates, it carries other flavors from the cake with it." Will this cake have any alcohol in the mix?
Small cake or big cake?
The size of the cake is really depending on how many people will be eating it. Web Restaurant Store gives advice on choosing the size of the pan. "Sheet cake is one of the best forms of cake to make for a crowd because it doesn’t require very much layering or structural support and it is easy to transport. Plus, a slice of sheet cake lends itself well to skilled piping work or other edible decorations. That being said, it can be tricky to determine which size of sheet cake is best for your event."
Thoughts on marble cake?
Sallys Baking Addition says this about marble cake. "Marble cake is many things. It is simple and straightforward. It is tender and moist. It is soft and cakey. It is infinitely buttery. Marble cake is a classic birthday cake! It is best served slathered with milk chocolate frosting." Those are Sally's views, but what about this cake. Marble is just one of many different types of cake to make. Will it be a mix of chocolate and vanilla?
Thoughts on pumpkin flavor for a cake?
Who enjoys the flavor of pumpkin spice? It comes in coffee, it comes in pie, and it can be a cake too. Averie cookies made a cake and described it like this: "The cake is soft, springy, and brimming with pumpkin flavor. It’s a fast, easy, one-bowl, no mixer cake recipe that everyone loves. I used oil rather than butter which keeps the cake extra moist and since pumpkin naturally makes everything moister, there’s no chance of a dry cake here. The thick layer of tangy cream cheese frosting complements the warming spices in the cake perfectly."
What color is the best for dying cake batter?
Just like dying the frosting, dying the batter is so fun too! It makes the cake's personality shine. McCormick shares a recipe on tie dying a cake. "Prepare cake mix as directed on package, using egg whites. Divide batter evenly among 4 medium bowls. Add vanilla and 20 drops neon purple food color to first bowl. Add raspberry flavor and 20 drops neon blue food color to second bowl. Add lemon extract and 20 drops neon pink food color to third bowl. Add orange extract and 20 drops neon green food color to fourth bowl. Stir until batters are evenly tinted."
Thoughts on flourless cake?
Flourless cakes are popular with those who are considering the nutritional value of the dessert. The Bizzy Lizzy Bakery says, "Flourless: means no flours or ground starch of any kind. We rely on whole grain oatmeal and flaxseed, products that have been shown to benefit your circulatory system, and digestive system. Add to that a much reduced spike in blood sugar that you get with white flour of any kind (wheat, rice, potato, tapioca), and what's not to love?"
Thoughts on filling the center with candy?
Imagine cutting into a cake and out pours a bunch of the best candy and chocolate. It would be perfect as a gender reveal cake, or to surprise a kid for their birthday. To create the space inside we look to Betty Crocker. "Flatten cake layers by trimming off rounded tops. In 2 layers, cut small round out of center, using 4-inch round cutter. Place 1 uncut cake layer on cake stand or serving platter; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Top with 1 layer with center removed"
Buttercream frosting or fondant?
1 Gateau a wedding bakery says this: "Fondant cakes tend to be more expensive than buttercream finish cakes, because they require additional product and labor to cover the base buttercream cake.The choice of a fondant or buttercream finish cake is a personal one. Your decision will depend on the style and aesthetic you desire, your taste preferences, as well as cost considerations." Will this cake have buttercream or fondant to wow the crowd?
How long will the cake last before it goes bad?
Hummingbird Bakery has a lot of tips on serving and saving a cake. They "recommend eating your cakes within 24 hours of making them. Cakes are perishable and should be eaten as soon as possible if they contain wet ingredients like fresh fruit, fruit compotes or fresh dairy like cream, cream cheese, mascarpone or custard. If keeping at room temperature, a cake tin lined with greaseproof paper is ideal for buttercream-topped cakes." How many days will this cake last in the kitchen?
Thoughts on cheesecake?
Cheesecake is light, fluffy, sweet and tasty. Street Directory agrees. Here is what they said about cheesecake. "The decadent taste and texture of cheesecake belies the fact that it is fairly simple to make. Cheesecake lovers know that they can have this delightful delicacy anytime they want by stirring up a few basic ingredients including cream cheese, sugar and eggs, and then pouring it into a pie shell which can be made of graham cracker crumbs or other conventional pie crusts and baked."
Wide cake or tall cake?
X
What is the best shape for a cake?
The shape of a cake sends the message to everyone who sees it! Whether it's a star, heart, soccer ball or mermaid shape, it means something. For a heart shaped cake, there are many methods. This would be perfect for valentine's day. A circle cake is easy and classic. They can be turned into a tennis ball cake or even a golf ball. Choose a shape so we can reveal your favorite actor.
