Disaster in the Kitchen: A Lesson Learned from Making Glazed Lemon Cake

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around personal experiences related to cooking mishaps, particularly involving the preparation of a Glazed Lemon Cake and the challenges of using microwave prep bowls. Participants share their stories of kitchen disasters and offer various tips for dealing with burnt smells in microwaves.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shared a story about burning a small cake in the microwave while attempting to prepare a Glazed Lemon Cake for a potluck.
  • Another participant mentioned that cooking one cake in the microwave might take about one minute, referencing recipes for quick microwave cakes.
  • Several users expressed empathy for the original poster's experience, with one participant humorously admitting to frequently burning microwave popcorn.
  • One participant provided a method for removing burnt smells from a microwave using charcoal briquettes, while another suggested using lemon juice for the same purpose.
  • Another participant shared their own experience of ruining rice in a rice cooker, highlighting a common theme of kitchen mishaps.
  • One participant suggested purchasing additional prep bowls to avoid similar issues in the future.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best cooking times for microwave cakes, with some participants suggesting one minute while others caution that this may lead to a dry cake. There is no clear consensus on the optimal time for cooking in prep bowls.

Contextual Notes

Participants shared personal anecdotes and remedies based on their experiences in the kitchen, focusing on the challenges of using specific cooking tools and methods.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants and home cooks looking for relatable experiences and informal tips on handling kitchen mishaps and using microwave prep bowls.

Intrepid_Chef
Intrepid_Chef
Silver Member
Messages
5,144
Tonight, I decided to make the Glazed Lemon Cake to take to the church potluck. :chef:

I decided to do it "Kelly's way" and put it in the fluted stone and use the oven. And I decided to reserve just a little of the batter to put in my prep bowl so I could have an individual serving just for me, to see if the cake was "fit" to serve to the church.

Well ... The oven baked cake looks good enough.

But as for the lonely little micro cake ... I checked the micro directions, not even THINKING that I might have to reduce the cooking time if I wasn't doing six of them ....

With about 20 second left on the timer, the stench of burning cake was unbearable! I grabbed a potholder and emtied the prep bowl straight into the garbage disposal! I have since cooled the prep bowl, cleaned the prep bowl and the microwave, but can't get the smell of burned lemon cake out of my head, or my house!

For those of us who do not HAVE six prep bowls (starter kit came with 2) how long do you nuke 1 or 2 at a time?
 
I think it would be about one minute
 
I think Shana's right; there are some recipes for 1 minute cakes floating around.

Sorry you had such a stinky experience!
 
I had to laugh (sorry) about your dilemma. Its something I would probably do. I frequently burn microwave popcorn, ok I ALWAYS BURN microwave popcorn.

LOL I feel your pain!


Try this remedy I found....

Does anyone know how to get the burnt smell out of a microwave?
My son burnt a cup of ramen noodles in the microwave.

place charcoal briquettes in the microwave (not the presoked kind that light quick the cheep ones) and close the door overnight in the morning remove the charcoal and wipe clean, the charcoal absorbs the odor.

Asker's Comment: Thanks it worked!!! My house does not smell like burnt noodles anymore!!
 
vwpamperedchef said:
I had to laugh (sorry) about your dilemma. Its something I would probably do. I frequently burn microwave popcorn, ok I ALWAYS BURN microwave popcorn.

LOL I feel your pain!


Try this remedy I found....

Does anyone know how to get the burnt smell out of a microwave?
My son burnt a cup of ramen noodles in the microwave.

place charcoal briquettes in the microwave (not the presoked kind that light quick the cheep ones) and close the door overnight in the morning remove the charcoal and wipe clean, the charcoal absorbs the odor.

Asker's Comment: Thanks it worked!!! My house does not smell like burnt noodles anymore!!
Click to expand...


Another method is to take fresh lemon juice and microwave it till it boils - leave it in the microwave to cool - the lemon juice will take away the smell odor (ok - I burn popcorn too -lol)
 
ShanaSmith said:
I think it would be about one minute
Click to expand...
I have made 2 cakes in the prep bowls in the microwave for 1 minute. I would think a full minute for one would make a really dry cake.
 
Thanks for the advice on the Prep Bowls ladies, I have make a Mental Note. 1 Prep Bowl, 50 seconds.

Smell in Microwave, try taking the classic batterbowl fill it 3/4 with water and put a bunch of baking soda in it. Boil it for 3-4 min, then take it out. Wipe inside with papertowls. Baking soda will remove any burn on anything easily and remove the odor.:chef:
 
I had a similar thing happen with my rice cooker friday.... I ruined it and had the smell of burnt rice in the house all day! Guess I should not have been a smartie pants and just read the directions.... go figure
 
My solution would be to buy the whole set on your next supply order! I'm thinking of getting a 2nd set myself.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What went wrong while making the glazed lemon cake?

During the process of making the glazed lemon cake, I mismeasured the ingredients, which led to an imbalance in flavor and texture. Additionally, I didn't follow the baking time closely, resulting in an undercooked center.

What lesson was learned from the disaster in the kitchen?

The primary lesson learned was the importance of precise measurements and following the recipe closely. It reinforced the idea that baking is a science, and even small deviations can lead to unexpected results.

How can I avoid similar mistakes when baking?

To avoid similar mistakes, always measure ingredients accurately using the right tools, such as measuring cups and spoons. Additionally, read the entire recipe before starting and set timers to keep track of baking times.

What tips can help improve my baking skills?

Improving baking skills can be achieved by practicing regularly, experimenting with different recipes, and learning from mistakes. Watching instructional videos or taking baking classes can also provide valuable techniques and insights.

Can I salvage a cake that didn't turn out well?

Yes, there are ways to salvage a cake that didn't turn out as expected. If it's undercooked, you can return it to the oven for additional baking. If the flavor is off, consider adding a glaze or frosting to enhance the taste. You can also repurpose the cake into a trifle or cake pops.

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