Help! Cakes sinking in the middle!

[twirlymum]

I have always prided myself on my cakes. I often make sponge cakes for family birthdays, which have always been praised. I love making cupcakes too, and have recently been making them for friends as presents etc, again, very well received.
For the last couple of weeks, I have had disasters! Every cake, no matter what size, is sinking in the middle. I don't open the door when they are baking, and the middle is already sunk whilst they are in the oven, it doesn't just happen when I take them out. I'm gutted, I love making them, but I'm having to throw loads away, and I hate wasting food, but they are inedible. (also not cooked properly in the middle, but getting on to burnt at the edges, even fairy cakes).
Please help! Advice welcomed!

Have you changed anyhting in the last few weeks? New oven, or is there a problem with your oven (presumably you would notice when cooking other things not just cakes)?

Have you changed brands of ingredients, or are you using a new recipe?

If it was me I would try and see if it was my oven by using the same mix and method in someone else's oven.

The oven is taking longer to cook than usual (a chicken breast that would usually take 25-30mins is taking 40-45. I might try the same recipe in my mums oven.
Thanks for that!

Definitely sounds like your oven then, time to pick out a shiny new one?!

Haha, sounds like a plan! Wonder if I can persuade DH I need a shiny new kitchen to go with it

Happened to me twice last week while doing a check cake for a birthday - 9 eggs a time. I ended up in tears. Turned out it was too high a shelf, so used a lower shelf and it was ok.

From what you've said though, it sounds as if your oven is to blame.

Had another thought - do you have a jam thermometer? If so, set the oven to a temp within the range of the thermometer, pop it in the oven and after it has come up to the temperature, take the thermometer out and check it.