katwhen
1) Adventures in baking: Decided a couple of weekends ago to take the plunge and try baking in the new oven. So I picked a new recipe to try in the new oven, with a friend coming over to eat the results. No pressure, then.
First, pick an oven setting: Conventional, fan, steambake, top and bottom heat, bottom heat? Opted for fan, because 🤷.
Second, discovered none of my baking tins are the right size. Opted for too big over too small, because 🤷.
#Baking #NewCooker
Aug 19, 2023 at 2:12pmWeb
Show threadkatwhenAug 19, 2023

2) Adventures in baking
Third, discovered the unsalted butter was off. Way off. Underneath where it wasn't obvious. Oops. Couldn't substitute salted butter and omit salt as had already added salt and sifted it with the flour.

Fortunately, partner was at the supermarket and able to obtain more unsalted but this delayed cake progress so it wasn't ready when friend arrived.

Fourth, the recipe said to bake for 50-65 mins. Aaagh. Turned the temp down at 50 mins, and cooked it for another 15 mins.

Show threadkatwhenAug 19, 2023

3) Adventures in baking

The cake was still feeling too sticky, as were the crumbs on the skewer, at 50 mins so I was checking it every 5 mins for the next quarter of an hour.

Despite all that, the raspberry and ricotta cake was voted a success, and friend not only ate it but took some away with her. It also freezes/defrosts well.

This weekend I'm planning to try another new recipe: dairy-free (but not vegan) chocolate cake. At least the unsalted butter is still ok. I hope. /fin

Show threadPhilippaAug 19, 2023
@katwhen pics?
Show threadkatwhenAug 19, 2023
4) I don't have a photo of the whole raspberry and ricotta cake because after all that we dived straight into it, but here's the last wedge of it. Still good after being frozen and defrosted.
Show threadPhilippaAug 19, 2023
@katwhen and now I've seen this! Amazing work!
Show threadkatwhenAug 19, 2023

@philippa22 Thank you. I've been told I must make it again, but it might have to wait until raspberries are in season again.

The cake looks a bit darker in the photo than it actually turned out.

It's this recipe, btw:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/ricotta_cake_with_baked_54677

Raspberry ricotta cake recipe

Tart and tangy raspberries pair perfectly with creamy and mild ricotta in this easy, squidgy cake that's perfect for a make-ahead dessert.

BBC Food
Show threadIain ColemanAug 19, 2023
@katwhen Our oven has a similar selection of settings. I have no idea under what circumstances I would select anything other than "fan".
Show threadkatwhenAug 19, 2023

@Iain_Coleman Ha! I've selected "conventional" on a couple of occasions when the recipe hasn't stated a fan oven setting, and I can't be bothered to faff around working out whether 10 or 20 degrees lower would be best. But that's it.

Visiting friend said her fan oven tended to dry out cakes more, but not all ovens are the same.

Show threadIain ColemanAug 19, 2023
@katwhen The grill has a similarly baffling set of options. I just want an on switch and a temperature dial...