Few things are more frustrating than baking a cake that rises beautifully in the oven…
and then suddenly sinks in the middle.
A cake that collapses can make you think the whole recipe failed, but in most cases the problem is not the recipe it’s the baking process.
The good news is that once you understand why cakes sink, you can prevent it every time.
If you want to understand the fundamentals of better baking, you can also read my Baking Basics guide:
👉 https://brownyscakesblog.blogspot.com/p/baking-basics.html
Let’s go through the most common reasons why cakes sink in the middle.
1️⃣ Opening the oven too early
This is the most common reason cakes collapse.
Every time you open the oven door, the temperature can drop 20–30°C instantly.
Your cake needs steady heat to keep its structure while baking.
If the heat drops too soon, the cake rises… but cannot hold itself.
Result:
- sunken center
- uneven texture
- collapsed cake
✔ Tip
Do not open the oven until at least 70% of the baking time has passed.
👉 Kitchen timer: https://amzn.to/4uARBp7
2️⃣ Too much baking powder or baking soda
More rising agent does not mean better results.
Too much baking powder makes the cake rise too fast and then fall.
Signs:
- cake rises high then sinks
- big holes inside
- weak structure
✔ Tip
Always measure baking powder carefully.
👉 Measuring spoons: https://amzn.to/40OnGwk
3️⃣ Oven temperature too high
If the oven is too hot, the outside bakes too fast while the inside is still soft.
The cake rises quickly, but the center is not strong enough yet.
When cooling → it sinks.
✔ Tip
Use an oven thermometer instead of trusting the oven display.
👉 Oven thermometer:https: https://amzn.to/4sXr6ZD
Lower and slower baking usually gives better results.
4️⃣ Batter too wet
Too much liquid makes the cake unstable.
Too much:
- milk
- butter
- oil
- eggs
can cause the cake to collapse after baking.
✔ Tip
Always follow the recipe exactly when measuring liquids.
5️⃣ Overmixing the batter
Overmixing develops gluten.
Too much gluten makes the cake heavy.
Heavy batter cannot hold air properly.
Result:
- dense cake
- sinking center
- uneven baking
✔ Tip
Mix until everything is just combined.
Not more.
6️⃣ Removing the cake from the oven too fast
Sudden temperature change can cause collapse.
This is what I do:
✔ Turn off the oven
✔ Leave the cake inside 10 minutes
✔ Keep the door slightly open
This prevents:
- sinking
- cracking
- shrinking
Small habit, big difference.
What you should remember
Most sinking cakes are caused by:
- opening the oven too early
- wrong temperature
- too much baking powder
- too much liquid
- overmixing
Once you control these basics, your cakes become much more stable.
Want to improve your baking skills?
You can explore more baking guides, tools and lessons here:
👉 Baking Basics
https://brownyscakesblog.blogspot.com/p/the-ultimate-baking-basics-guide-for.html
👉 Kitchen Tools I Use
https://brownyscakesblog.blogspot.com/p/kitchen-tools-i-love-for-baking-brownys.html
👉 My Baking Workshops
https://brownyscakesblog.blogspot.com/p/online-baking-workshops-learn-to-bake.html
👉 Digital Baking Tools & Resources
https://brownyscakesblog.blogspot.com/p/digital-baking-tools-resources.html
👉 Cashewnutz Products
https://brownyscakesblog.blogspot.com/p/cashewnutz-products.html
Want to learn baking step-by-step?
In my online baking workshops I explain:
- how cakes rise
- how to control texture
- how to avoid mistakes
- how to get consistent results
You can explore my workshops here:
Tools I use in my kitchen
Oven thermometer: https://amzn.to/4sXr6ZD
Kitchen timer: https://amzn.to/4uARBp7
Measuring spoons: https://amzn.to/40OnGwk
Cake pans: https://amzn.to/4lDqRQU
Tip: using the right tools makes baking much easier and more consistent.
If you enjoy learning baking tips like this, don’t forget to follow the blog for more baking guides.
With love,
Ludinaira Roberto
Browny’s Cakes 💛
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