Cake domed in the center?

Don’t panic—this is a common problem with a very simple solution. The easiest way to correct a cosmetic defect like this is to wait until the cake is completely cool, and then take a long, serrated knife, and slice off the hump. Voilà, a perfectly flat cake, and a little snack for the baker! If you’re worried about crumbs or want to avoid such a situation altogether, try lowering your oven temperature by about 25 degrees. It’s possible that your oven might be running a bit hotter than anticipated, causing that edible mountain to form in the first place. Double-check next time by placing an additional thermometer inside the oven, and compare the readings to the external display.