Candy Vs Cake: Which One Is Harder To Make? - Tasting Table

"Whether you're new to baking or a seasoned pro, you might be wondering which is technically harder to make: candy or cake? The simple answer is that both confectionery trades require practice and patience to master, and which is harder largely depends on personal preference and experience in the kitchen. Most bakers will tell you that cakes and candies are completely different worlds."

"Not to mention, the frosting component and learning how to layer, stack, and decorate the dessert - which could be daunting to bakers less concerned with artistry. On the other hand, making candies like chocolate, fudge, and caramel treats often requires melting sugar with other ingredients like butter and cream. This might sound more straightforward at first, but for those who have never used a candy thermometer before, candy preparation could come with a steep learning curve."

Both candy-making and cake-baking require practice and patience to master. Cakes and candies demand different skill sets, so expertise in one does not guarantee competence in the other. Cake baking requires learning to achieve moist crumb, proper texture, and mastering frosting, layering, stacking, and decoration. Candy making often involves melting sugar with butter and cream and demands precise temperature control, often using a candy thermometer. Different candy stages like caramel versus hard-crack require different temperatures and textures. Beginner candy confections require close attention to temperature and timing to set properly. Difficulty largely depends on prior experience and personal strengths in baking or confectionery techniques.

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