Help! Urgent! Help! Urgent! Caketastrophe in progress!

[shovetheholly]

I'm making this cake. Friend's birthday - he and his partner are staying at our house.

www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-dish/cake-recipes/iced-lemon-curd-layer-cake

I doubled the recipe because my cake tins are large. It's been in the oven at the correct temp for 25 mins. Top is starting to brown, but MIDDLE IS STILL REALLY WET!!

What do I do??!

Try turning the temperature down slightly.

Put tin foil over to stop the top browning

Do both of the above!

OK, it's on gas 1.5ish instead of gas 3. I've covered the tops with baking parchment - is that right?

Aaaargh, at this moment I discover I have no tin foil

and by the way there is no such thing as a cake disaster. If it's not right, eat it and bake another one. Then help the birthday boy eat that one too. Win win.

From 3 I would go to 2, not 1.5 I think.

The trouble is, they are here later on today! And I have to finish a piece of writing before then!! I have left this too late, I know.

Turned up to 2, thank you anthony

OK, they've been on for 10 minutes extra. Still really gooey in the middle Will try another 10.

Keep it in until middle is cooked, however long that is. When it is cold, if the crust is too hard then slice it off with a sharp knife, top and sides. If the whole thing is too hard, then it will be good served with something like custard (hot) or similar. Cake is cake, it's just a lemon cake at the moment, pouring cream all over it (when it is cut and served) would also be good. It might not end up looking like Delia's but that's ok.

Oh sorry it's probably out now, isn't it!

It took an hour!!

I have cut the burnt bits off and covered it with icing. It is not the most gorgeous cake you have ever seen, but it will pass muster! THANK GOD!

Thank you so much AnthonyPandy - I think I was tempted to sit on the floor and cry, but you have saved the day!!

That's good! Cake is always a success in my eyes!