The Science of Moisture

Ingredient Ratios

Precision is the secret to success in baking. Always use kitchen scales rather than cups to measure your flour and sugar, as compacting flour in a cup can lead to a dry, dense cake. To ensure maximum moisture, choose recipes that include a good proportion of fat, such as oil or butter. Dairy ingredients containing acid, like buttermilk, yoghurt, or sour cream, are also essential. They help tenderise the protein structure of the flour, resulting in a much softer crumb. ## Preparation Temperature matters significantly. Ensure your eggs, butter, and dairy are at room temperature before you begin. Cold butter will not emulsify properly with the sugar, which creates a grainy batter and prevents the cake from rising into the light, fluffy structure you desire. If your ingredients are too cold, the emulsion will break, leading to a heavy, greasy cake.