Subscribe now

Chemistry

The scientific secrets to baking a perfectly moist chocolate cake

Keeping your chocolate cake moist and delicious when you make it party-sized is tricky, but not impossible, says Catherine de Lange

By Catherine de Lange

6 March 2024

Islip Terrace, NY, USA, 9.4.23 - A chocolate pinata cake filled with chocolate covered candies.; Shutterstock ID 2380120693; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Shutterstock/Jaclyn Vernace

NEXT week is my daughter’s 5th birthday party, and she has high expectations for her cake. It has to be extremely chocolatey, but it must also be a “piñata cake”, meaning that when you cut into it, sweets cascade out. It will also have to be large, to serve 30 children and their chaperones.

My big worry is that it could end up very dry. To achieve the required size and the piñata effect, I will have to bake at least three large layers, but I will also have to cut out the middle of the cake, which, as…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account