By Whisk

Re: Sponge cake gone wrong
22 Jul 2008 15:28

I regularly make a victoria sponge but sometimes it doesn't rise and lots of black speckled dots appear in the sponge. This doesn't always happen - can anyone tell me what the black dots are and why it sometimes won't rise? I always use the same recipe.

Replies

By nanny ogg

Re: Sponge cake gone wrong
22 Jul 2008 15:57

Is the flour fresh and free from Weevels(sp?)
xx

By Whisk

Re: Sponge cake gone wrong
22 Jul 2008 16:30

How would I know it had weevels? The flour is a few weeks old - how long should flour be kept for?

By Impi

Re: Sponge cake gone wrong
22 Jul 2008 16:39

If you open the bag of flour you will see little brown insects crawling around if you have weevils, or if you sieve the flour you will see them.

It depends how long the flour was on the shelf before you bought it!!

By Jennifer merseyside

Re: Sponge cake gone wrong
22 Jul 2008 16:41

Could it be the type of sugar you use.?
Do you use caster sugar or granulated sugar, if it is the latter, this does not dissolve as well as caster, and would leavespecks in the top of the sponge.

By sandrak

Re: Sponge cake gone wrong
22 Jul 2008 16:56

Whisk, As it's a hit and miss affair could it be when in a rush you don't thoroughly mix ingredients ? If you always use the same recipe it's the only ( lame ) reason I can think of - sorry.

By Whisk

Re: Sponge cake gone wrong
22 Jul 2008 18:30

Hi everyone,

I use caster sugar
I mixes the ingredients throughly
Definately no weevils as they sound noticeable.
It's a mystery!

By Pat

Re: Sponge cake gone wrong
22 Jul 2008 21:36

It is a mystery - I find it intriguing! and will ponder it!

By Rita

Re: Sponge cake gone wrong
23 Jul 2008 08:13

If you use pure vanilla extract, this will have black specks which of course are found in the cake when you cut it.