Helpful Hints for Better Cake Making

•Always have ingredients at room temperature.

•Add flavouring and essences to the shortening for a better flavour.

•Add the sugar to the softened shortening and beat until the colour lightens slightly; there’s no need to beat until the sugar is dissolved.

•Add whole eggs one at a time and beat until egg is absorbed. Eggs should not be cold as they can curdle mixtures.

•In our recipes we will use self-raising flour wherever possible. If plain flour is called for, it must be used to keep the balance of ingredients correct.

•Divide the flour and the liquid into two portions and add alternately with the liquid on speed 1 - don’t over beat.

•If you don’t have a tin the same size as the recipe suggests, her are some tins that are of similar capacity: Use 2 x 20cm sandwich tins or a 1 x 28 x 18cm lamington tin or a 1 x 20 x 7cm deep round cake tin or 1 x standard loaf tin or a

1x 20cm ring tin.

•Care must be taken when using a cake

tin instead of a sandwich tin to lower the suggested temperature by approximately 25°C and lengthen the cooking time.

•Care should also be taken when substituting a cake tin for a ring tin, baba tin or any tin with a funnel as some cake mixtures that have a very high fat content may need the heat supplied by way of the funnel.

•Cooking times and temperature are meant only as a guide. Light mixtures should spring back when lightly touched and heavy mixtures, fruit cake and the like, should be tested with a skewer toward the end of the suggested cooking time.

Reasons for Poor Results

Sponge Cakes Shrink

Unbalanced ingredients, overbeating of egg whites, sudden changes of temperature or draught when taking from the oven.

Cakes Do Not Rise

Mostly due to gross overbeating, but can also be caused by too hot an oven during the first part of cooking.

Cakes Sink in the Centre

Too much fat, raising agent, liquid or sugar; too little flour; under cooking or slow cooking.

Cakes Run Over at Edges

Too much batter for size of pan, too cool an oven, too much sugar, over beating, too much raising agent.

Hard Outer Crust

Too much flour, too little sugar, over mixing, too hot an oven.

Moist, Sticky Outside

Too much sugar, over beating, under baking.

MX003 specifications

The Sunbeam MX003 is a highly regarded kitchen appliance that has captured the attention of baking enthusiasts and home cooks alike. This stand mixer stands out in a crowded market due to its unique blend of power, versatility, and user-friendly design.

One of the standout features of the Sunbeam MX003 is its robust 350-watt motor, which delivers powerful performance for a variety of mixing tasks. Whether you're whipping cream, kneading dough, or mixing batter, this stand mixer handles it all with ease. The motor is combined with a planetary mixing action, ensuring that ingredients are evenly incorporated from all sides of the bowl. This technology not only improves the efficiency of the mixing process but also eliminates the need for manual scraping of the bowl.

The Sunbeam MX003 comes with a generous 4-quart stainless steel mixing bowl, providing ample capacity for preparing large batches of dough or batter. The stainless steel construction adds durability and allows for easy cleaning, making it a practical choice for daily use. Additionally, the bowl features comfortable handles, enabling users to easily lift and pour their mixtures without fuss.

Another key characteristic of the MX003 is its multitude of speed settings. With 12 different speed options, users can select the perfect setting for any recipe, from slow mixing to high-speed whipping. This versatility expands its functionality, allowing for precise control during food preparation.

Safety and convenience are also prioritized in the MX003’s design. The mixer features a tilt-head mechanism, allowing for easy access to the mixing bowl and attachments. This design not only enhances usability but also makes switching between different mixing tools quick and straightforward. The mixer is equipped with a variety of attachments included in the package, such as a flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip, covering a wide range of tasks from mixing to kneading.

The Sunbeam MX003 also incorporates an easy-to-clean design, with parts that can be conveniently removed for dishwasher-safe cleaning. This attention to cleanliness and maintenance ensures that users can spend more time enjoying their baking and cooking experiences without the hassle of difficult clean-up.

In summary, the Sunbeam MX003 is an impressive stand mixer that combines a powerful motor, versatile mixing options, and user-friendly features, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen. Its blend of performance, capacity, and easy maintenance positions it as a top choice for both novice cooks and experienced bakers.