Cake is always a good idea, especially when it’s made the right way. Different cake choices can be enjoyed as a dessert in itself or a companion for tea or coffee.
We’re fortunate we live in an age with accessible cake since it used to be considered a luxury.
Times have changed significantly, allowing the creation of cakes in the comforts of our kitchen.
So before you worry about equipment, we’ll teach you a hack. As a sweet treat, we’re going to show you how to mix cake batter in a blender.
4 Ways To Mix Cake Batter
The mixing of cake batter is a complex process. It affects the taste and consistency of the final product. It’s crucial to understand your chosen mixing process to come up with the best cake. Before we go into the details of blending cake batter, here are some useful things to know.
1. Creaming Method
This process helps the dough rise by adding air into it. It should be done at room temperature and start with butter and sugar, followed by gradually adding the eggs. The resulting cake is tender and stable.
2. Light And Airy Foam Method
Some cakes need to be made using a special technique. Chiffon cakes are best made with this method. The egg whites are whipped, followed by the gradual adding of flour for more volume.
3. Reverse Creaming Method
If you want a cake that’s moist and sturdy, reverse creaming is the way to go. The butter and lukewarm liquid ingredients are added first, followed by adding milk gradually and then with the eggs.
4. Blended Method
This method usually requires all ingredients in the mixer bowl followed by additional liquid ingredients. This is commonly used commercially for its quicker process.
These 4 methods are usually done manually or with a mixer, but you can use a blender instead.
How To Mix Cake Batter Without A Mixer?
1. Using A Food Processor
The first thing that came to mind was using a food processor.
I am familiar with the concept of mixing cake batter with a food processor and I have done so on several occasions.
My food processor has this special dough hook attachment that turns it into an efficient mixer.
It seems logical to assume that the same tool works just as fine when used for cake batters too, right?
Using a food processor is an easy way to mix up your cake batter quickly but you will need more bowls and vessels if you want to end up with multiple cakes of different flavors.
I am not sure how efficient it is to clean but a guide from Cooks Illustrated says that cleanup afterward is not too bad if you do not mind digging around in the three bowls and blades with your hand.
2. Using An Immersion Hand Blender
Using an immersion (hand) blender is not only clean but also preserves heat better than using a countertop mixer or food processor because it is small and can be used right in the cooking vessel.
The Braun MQ505 Multiquick 5 Hand Blender has several speed settings, comes with different attachments (it is sold as either a single tool or as part of this set ), is easy to store, and cleans after use. It even looks nice on white kitchen décor!  This model also has good reviews on Amazon.
Most immersion blenders are very easy to use and you do not even need the owner’s manual.
Typically, you first insert the blender into the cooking vessel then turn it on.
It will not operate unless it is properly submerged in its entirety, so make sure it is all below your batter before turning on.
The tool comes with a variety of speeds that allow you to mix extremely thick mixtures extremely well or mix more delicate mixtures at low-speed settings if necessary.
Here are two additional tips for mixing cake batter with an immersion blender :
1. Always blend away from you since this device emits quite a bit of torque. You can hurt yourself by grabbing onto the blades while they are spinning!
2. If you want to remove the blender tool for any reason, simply turn off the power switch before letting go of it. The blades are sharp and can cause injury if they accidentally touch your fingers while the power is on!
3. Using An Electric Hand Mixer
I already own one electric hand mixer (Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer) but I do not like having to use more than one device for making cake batter because this means that I have to wash more dishes afterward.
This device works great at mixing up thick doughs, though, so I know that it would most likely work just fine for cake batters too.
Using an electric hand mixer is a very popular way to mix cake batter among home cooks and bakers.
It is a fast way to do so too but it does require you to transfer your batter from a bowl into the device’s mixing vessel after which the manufacturer recommends that you attach its beaters.
The process of doing this can be cumbersome if you need to use both hands for turning, especially if your recipe calls for several ingredients at multiple additions!
4. Using An Electric Mixer
Finally, we have electric mixers.
Mixing cake batters with an electric mixer were not as common before kitchen appliance manufacturers started producing stand mixers, though: the first stand mixer designed specifically for baking cakes, Wilton PME800 Pastry Chef Kitchen Machine, was released in 2003.
Since then, many home cooks and bakers have started using electric mixers that are not designed for baking to make cake batter because they know that it is much more efficient than making such batter by hand (and thus, less work).
Among all available stand mixers, my personal favorite is the Aucma Stand Mixer.
The mixer can handle a variety of jobs, both large and small ones: I particularly like its adjustable lower speed settings which allow me to keep things from splashing when trying to add ingredients while also giving me control over its power when mixing more delicate items.
Its large bowl is removable and features a double-insulated base so that it can easily sit on top for use for batters while it’s out of the stand.
Its powerful motor and size give me confidence that this model will likely last for many years to come.
Can I Mix Cake Batter In A Blender?
Yes, you can mix a cake batter in a blender quite successfully. Â You just have to blend it at a high speed for a few minutes until the batter is smooth and creamy.
What Kind Of Blender Do I Need To Mix Cake Batter In A Blender?
I recommend using an immersion hand blender (e.g., this one from Braun ) with a whisk attachment because it would be irritating to pour the batter back and forth between two separate vessels while blending in short bursts (>10 seconds).
In retrospect, this is even true if you do not need to use your immersion blender at all since dealing with pouring out the hot liquid into another vessel adds unnecessary work.
What Is The Easiest Way To Make Cake Batter In A Blender?
The easiest way to mix a cake batter in a blender is by starting with room-temperature ingredients. Â That includes eggs, butter or shortening, and liquids such as milk or water.
How To Mix Cake Batter In A Blender
Although using a blender to mix cake batter is an acceptable substitute for a mixer, some users have expressed concerns over this method.
The main reason most people don’t use blenders for the batter is the risk of over mixing. And over mixed batter results in a tough cake. Now, who would want to eat tough cake? If you’re willing to try, there is hope.
Step 1 – Mix the liquid ingredients first. Ingredients like milk, oil, or eggs should be placed in the blender first.
Step 2 – Heat your butter in the microwave to make it easier to blend and set it aside. Butter or another shortening may clump and cause mixing problems. It’s ideal to soften it with the use of a microwave. Set the heated butter aside to prepare it for later.
Step 3 – Use the low pulse setting of the blender when mixing the liquid ingredients.
Step 4 – Mix dry ingredients in the blender except for the flour. Ingredients like oatmeal, baking powder, or sugar should be added at this stage.
Step 5 – Use a higher pulse when blending the solid ingredients with the liquid ingredients.
NOTE: If you have chocolate chips in your recipe, use a lower pulse, so you don’t pulverize the chips.
Step 6 – Add flour and butter to the mixture.
Step 7 – Use a low pulse with at least 1-second intervals until it is mixed evenly with the other ingredients.
Step 8 – Let the batter rest for 10 minutes before pouring it into a pan.
Step 9 – Bake the cake!
Step 10 – Taste and enjoy. If the resulting cake is chewy and tough, it may be because you overmixed it. You can correct it by lessening the pulses next time.
Related Posts
Why Does Blended Cake Batter Work Well?
There are three main reasons why cake batter from a blender works well:
1) The batter is only mixed enough to evenly distribute the ingredients and incorporate air bubbles without overmixing;
2) Liquids help prevent overheating due to short blending time;
3) Since no water or milk needs to be boiled before using a blender, you avoid losing nutrients in the process.
How Does The Cake Batter Taste After Mixing It In A Blender?
Cake batter blended in an immersion hand blender needs only a few minutes to become smooth. Â As expected, it does have very little taste because most of the flavors are developed when cooking the cake itself.
It is possible that you may want to add more extracts for flavor but it could be time-consuming to do so while blending since adding them during any kind of cooking can affect their molecular structure and release aromas in an unpredictable manner.
Besides, there is additional cleanup work involved with adding spices and flavorings to the batter if you do not plan on cooking it immediately.
What Is The Best Blender For Cake Mix?
The best blender for cake mixing is Ninja Professional Countertop Blender.
It has 1000 watts of power which is equivalent to many small food processors. You can make thick milkshakes, crush ice for frozen drinks and smoothies, blend hot soups right in the pot.
How To Make Cake Batter In A Blender For Cupcakes?
The easiest way to make a cupcake batter in a blender is by starting with room-temperature ingredients. Â That includes butter or shortening, and liquids such as milk or water.
Tips For Mixing Cake Batter In A Blender
One thing to keep in mind when making homemade cakes is that you should cook them at the right temperature time so they come out moist and fluffy. Â If your oven runs hot, it would be a good idea to bake them at a lower temperature for a longer period of time.
Although many manufacturers recommend blending hot liquids without any additives in their blenders, that does not always work well due to possible damage caused by heat on the motor.
Additives are fine as long as they are dry and/or cold which is why adding them during any kind of cooking can affect their molecular structure and release aromas in an unpredictable manner.
Restaurant chefs know better than anyone else to never overmix doughs because air bubbles left inside expand while baking causing the baked good to rise.
That being said, even if you do not cook the cake batter right after mixing it in an immersion blender, the liquid-to-flour ratio will be so high that there is little chance of having pockets of liquid inside. Â The same goes for gluten development.
So unless you are making bread dough, I think that most likely any recipe which is designed to be cooked immediately will work fine with this method (e.g., muffins, cupcakes).
Conclusion
Blenders have a transparent body that makes it easy to monitor the batter. Although over mixing is a risk, getting the right technique will make it a risk worth taking.
Want to know the best baking tools for cakes? Visit Bella Cupcake Couture.
