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| Cracked cake. Photo: bhollins, Flickr |
The cake has cracked!
Even a perfect cake can fall victim to cracks -- whether it be from moving the slab around or trying to free it from its pan. If there's just a bit of a crack, seal it up with frosting and proceed. But if it's beyond saving, make mini-cakes by cutting freehand or using cookie cutters, then frosting and serving.
The cake has fallen apart!
Sometimes the damage goes well beyond a crack. When that happens, it's just waiting to be turned into a trifle. Use the pieces in a large dish, or take it a step further and make mini servings. Simply press some cake into the bottom of a plastic Champagne party glass, and top it with fruit and whipped cream. The mess is instantly transformed into a classy single-serving treat.
The cake is too dry!
If the cake seems a little too dry or crumbly, and is intended for adults, booze it up: Drizzle some liqueur on top -- taking a cue from classic Christmas cakes and Duff's famous Lebowski cake -- and let it settle throughout the moisture-hungry crumbs. You can also try whipping up a sugary, alcohol-based glaze. (If your cakes frequently turn out dry, try a sour cream-based cake, which adds an extra moisture punch.)
With a little ingenuity, the disaster will become an unforgettable cake experience.
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