85Baking tipsYou wish to cook to yourown recipe.Refer to the instructions in the table for similar types ofpastry.How to check that thesponge cake is cookedproperly.Approximately 10 minutes before the end of the bakingtime given in the recipe, pierce the tallest point of thecake with a cocktail stick. The cake is done if the cocktailstick comes out clean.The cake collapses. Next time, use less liquid or decrease the oventemperature by 10 degrees celsius. Observe the stirringtimes in the recipe.The cake has risen in thecentre but is lower at theedges.Do not grease the sides of the baking tin. As soon as thecake is done, carefully loosen the cake around theedges using a knife.The cake is too dark at thetop.Insert it at a lower shelf position in the oven, select alower temperature and bake the cake a little whilelonger.The cake is too dry. Use a toothpick to make small holes in the finishedcake. Then drizzle fruit juice or alcohol over the top.Next time you should decrease the temperature byaround 10 degrees celsius and reduce the baking times.The bread or cake looksfine, but has on the insidewith watery areas.Next time you should add a little less liquid and bake fora little longer at a lower temperature.Cakes with fruit topping:Prebake the base first of all. Sprinkle with almonds orbreadcrumps and then place the topping over this.Please observe the recipe and the baking times.The pastry is unevenlybrowned.Select a slightly lower temperature to ensure that thepastry is baked more evenly. Delicate pastry should bebaked on one level using conventional top/bottomheating t. Baking paper that protrudes over the foodcan affect the air circulation. For this reason, always cutthe baking paper to fit the baking tray.You were baking on severalshelf levels. The food on thetop baking tray is darkerthan that on the bottombaking tray.Always use hot air ë when baking on several shelflevels. Baking trays that are placed in the oven at thesame time will not necessarily be ready at the sametime.