Well, good and bad will always be subjective to an extent. However, if you are looking to make or buy a cake that is likely to please a wide range of different people, then it’s useful to break a cake's quality down to different criteria. Here are some of the criteria I like to use when looking at cake quality.
1 - Appearance: A great cake looks so beautiful that you almost feel sorry to cut into it. And once it’s cut, it still stands colorful and beautiful, providing a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. The cake’s appearance should also match the occasion; a cake made for a corporate party should look different from a cake made for a birthday party.
2 - Structure: As mentioned before, the cake should still look good even after a couple of slices are removed. While mushy cakes can be delicious and fun to eat, a cake that stands upright will be easier to cut, less messy, and just as delicious, making it superior.
3 - Flavor: Of course, the actual taste of the cake is one of the most important aspects of a good cake. Making the most beautiful cake in the world won’t matter if the taste is bad or bland. And an excellent flavor can save an unremarkable cake.
4 - Smell: There is a reason why soda manufacturers spend millions in research to nail the smell of their beverages. Our nose plays a big role in how we perceive tastes, which is something a good cook takes into consideration when making cakes. Lemon cake just doesn’t taste the same if it doesn’t have that distinct aroma to it.
Of course, talking about food is always a poor substitute to actually eating it. So if you are really dedicated to figuring out what makes a good cake, you should order some gourmet cakes from a company like CBD Cakes so you can come out with your own set of criteria.
