Cake disaster

[GK Fanatic]

Why does my Dundee cake, which I make exactly to the recipe, split on the top in the oven??

[Jules001]

I don't know if you do this already, but before putting the almonds on top try using the back of a dessertspoon and making a slight dip in the centre of the cake, it should then rise evenly and not split.

[snapdharlich]

Just asked my father - who's a baker - He said that your oven must be too hot.  Another possible reason, but less likely would be that the volume of your ingredients may be too big for the tin you are using - But it's probably more likely the first reason.

[spudqueen]

I agree with snapdharlich, your oven is too hot.

[GK Fanatic]

Thanks to all, I now think its a bit of both so I'll have another go!!!

[Cetti]

The three main reasons are: Too hot an oven - The cake placed too high,  Using too small a tin.

There's another reason that remains a mystery - to me anyway. You can make the same cake, the same way with the same ingredients  for years, then all of a sudden your masterpiece will have great chasms on the top whenyou take it out of the oven....!!!!