When should you begin checking a high fat cake for doneness?

When determining the doneness of a high fat cake, the appropriate time to start checking is around 25 minutes into the baking process. High fat cakes, such as those made with butter or oil, have a denser structure compared to other cake types. This density means that they can take a bit longer to bake thoroughly.

Checking for doneness at the 25-minute mark allows you to assess the cake's texture and moisture without risking over-baking. At this stage, the edges of the cake may start pulling away from the pan, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs rather than being completely clean, indicating that the cake is still baking but nearly done.

If you wait too long to check, such as at the 30-minute or even longer intervals, you might risk baking the cake too much, which can lead to a dry texture. Therefore, beginning your check at 25 minutes is the ideal approach for achieving the perfect high fat cake.