How to prevent christmas cake cracking?

10 replies

maggiethecat · 03/12/2011 22:07

Made 2 today and was surprised to find huge craters in them when I took them out. They kind of closed up eventually on cooling but I wonder if this drys the cake out (havent tasted yet).

Need to bake another 2 (gifts for special people) and want to avoid this happening again.

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bigTillyMincepie · 03/12/2011 22:10

I couldn't believe it when my cakes both turned out perfect - they usually have at least small cracks in them. I think it was because I soaked the fruit in shedloads of rum

Original poster

maggiethecat · 03/12/2011 23:25

mine had a good soak too! how much mixture do you put in your tin - mine was almost to the top as I know that fruit cakes dont rise that much but wonder if this can cause cracking?

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bigTillyMincepie · 04/12/2011 09:21

Aahh, that could also be a factor as I put less in each tin than I might usually - not so deep.

Good luck wiht your next batch!

bakingaddict · 04/12/2011 09:37

I think large cracks in your cake means that your oven temp is too hot and your cake has been over-baked, all ovens have 'hot spots' and although you put it on a certain setting/temp some places can get really hot. If you bake on a regular basis maybe invest in a oven thermometer, they are only a couple of quid
Good luck and I hope your next batch is perfect

VeryStressedMum · 04/12/2011 10:43

Yes, the oven may have been too hot. If it's a fan oven it should be no more than 120 degrees - though I baked mine on around 110 for over 5 hours. And it must be covered with a double layer of baking paper (with a smallish hole cut in the centre) which will help.
Also use the size tin it specifies for the amount of ingredients as using a smaller tin could crack top of cakes.

Original poster

maggiethecat · 04/12/2011 23:00

baked at 140 (conventional) so not sure that it was too hot - used the oven thermometer too! can only think that I was being too ambitious in almost filling the tins.

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Hunnipatsy · 07/12/2020 16:09

My fruit cake has cracked, will it affect how it tastes ?

Hunnipatsy · 07/12/2020 16:10

My fruit cake has cracked on the top .... will it affect the taste or texture ?

Bjw21 · 21/01/2025 20:25

Totally gutted. Tried 2 different recipes for Christmas cakes in my fan oven. Never had any issues baking in it before. Need it for a wedding cake. HELP

1st cake recipe 4 1/2 hours. Over cooked and split 140°c

2nd cake recipe 4 hours. Split 130°c

Original poster

Maggiethecat · 23/01/2025 23:09

@Bjw21 - I had this for years until I finally baked at 120C (non fan) for 4 hours. I still get a few fissures occasionally but they close up by the time the cake cools.
Can you try baking on conventional setting, 120C or reduce fan temp to 100C?

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