How do you prevent having a dry cake?

A dry cake can be saved in a few ways. You can slice the cake horizontally (called torting, or to torte) and put a 1/2" layer of filling in between each layer, like a lemon or vanilla custard, or whipped cream. If you are going to be frosting the cake, using a piping bag, run a 3/4" line of the frosting around the edge of the cake on top of that layer before you put the filling on. The frosting will act as a well to keep the filling from oozing out the side of the cake. You can also make a simple syrup of sugar and water (look online for recipes of simple syrup). This will moisten the cake. Lightly drizzle it on each layer and let it soak it in as you assemble your cake. Make sure you do not use too much since that will make the cake fall apart, you only need enough to moisten it. You can also add flavorings to the simple syrup after it has cooled and before you put it on the cake, like lemon, maple, clear vanilla (Michael's or Jo-ann's has it). Then frost as usual. The last way you can use dry cake is to make a trifle, which is chunks of cake layers with fruit, jam, and whipped cream. I like to use a fresh tasting marmalade (Publix' generic brand is a good one for those of you in the south) with strawberries or blueberries. Careful with marmalade, though, some of it tastes bitter and burnt, so taste it before you commit to a whole dessert. The one that comes in a white glass jar is awful, bitter and overpowers every other flavor. Sara Beth's Apricot and Orange Marmalade is divine. (No, I am not affiliated.) Their Plum Cherry is great with fresh cherries too. I shy away from using liqueurs to moisten cakes since you never know if someone is an alcoholic and this will certainly negate their sobriety ( not fair if someone has had years in the program and now you've taken them back to day one. Yes, they are that serious about that, so have a heart.) Also if you use liqueurs, children should not be eating those cakes. Most kids hate the taste anyway. Well, so do I, never ever liked it, don't use it in my bakery and I'm an adult. Don't ruin a perfectly good cake with alcohol. If someone wants liqueur on their cake, give them a small glass of it on the side and a spoon so they can do it themselves...give people a choice, which is always appreciated. Enjoy! Cake City