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Made a mistake while baking? Maybe your cake came out sunken or your icing got messed up. It’s okay! We’ve all been there. But all is not lost. We’re sharing our secret dessert decorating tips to help you fix these common baking conundrums.

 

How to Fix a Cake Fail

When you’re decorating desserts and making fun memories in the kitchen, there are bound to be some mistakes. But that doesn’t mean your hard work has to go to waste!

We’ve learned some tricks along the way, and now we want to share them with you. With these cake and dessert hacks, you can bounce back from common baking conundrums.

Dry, Crumbling Cake?

Dry, Crumbling Cake
Recipes don’t always pan out like how we expect them. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, let’s turn that failed it moment into a nailed it dessert.
 
Fixing a dry cake is easy if you like creamy chocolate milk. HERSHEY’S Syrup Tres Leches is a simple yet sweet mixture that will instantly transform any overbaked cake while elevating the flavor!
 
If your cake is crumbling beyond visual repair, there is still hope! Transform your deconstructed cake into pudding, cake pops or a trifle recipe! Start by cutting or breaking the remaining cake chunks into smaller pieces and add or layer pudding and whipped cream. Top it off with chocolate shavings, cookie crumbs or fresh fruit. Voila!
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Sinking Cake in the Middle?

Sinking Cake in the Middle
If you’ve waited patiently for your cake to bake, only to find something went wrong inside the oven, well, we know that sinking feeling.
 
To fix a sunken cake, simply fill in the center. Choose a filling like fruit, nuts, sprinkles or candy. (You could also go all out and choose a homemade frosting, like you would with a filled cupcake.) Then cover it with the frosting you’ll be using to frost the rest of the cake. It will look good as new, and it will taste even better!
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Cracks in Cheesecake, Cookies or Brownies?

Fruit Compote

A dusting of HERSHEY’S Cocoa or powdered sugar always provides a gorgeous finishing touch. And it doubles as a way to mask small imperfections!

For those larger fixes, add a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with chocolate shavings, a cocoa dusting or a few chocolate chips. 

Chocolate glazes, caramel and fruit compotes all make great additions to cheesecake dishes. Apply a thin layer of your favorite topping to the cheesecake surface to hide any cracked imperfections. Just make sure your dessert is completely cooled off before applying any toppings.

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Frosting Not Panning Out Perfectly?

Chocolate Ganache

Noticing bits of cake coming off as you try to frost it? No worries!

Reserve one-half cup of your frosting in a separate bowl. Microwave it for 20 to 30 seconds until it has a more liquid consistency. Then, top the half-frosted cake with your choice of chopped candy bars, nuts, mini marshmallows, crumbled cookies or any combination desired. The texture of these added ingredients will mask any imperfections!

Once you have those additional ingredients in place, drizzle the still warm, melted frosting over the cake in an organic pattern. The frosting will coat the extra toppings and ensure they stick to the cake. Allow to cool completely before serving.

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Bake some new memories with Hershey.

Baking is a sweet way to get creative. The most important part is to have fun with it and make it your own! But when you could use a hand in the kitchen, these dessert fixes are just the trick. With some Hershey staples you already have at home, you can save your cookies and cakes. Ready to try out your new skills? Be sure to check out our complete collection of recipes.