Cracked Cake Roll

My pumpkin cake rolls always crack when I roll them up. How can I keep them from doing this? —B.S. Macon, MississippiFirst, be sure the cake batter is spread evenly in the pan. This will promote even baking and help your cake remain moist. A moist cake has less chance of cracking.

Overbaking could also be the culprit. The thin layer of cake batter in the typical 15- by 10- by 1-inch baking pan takes only about 10 to 15 minutes to bake. Check your cake after 8 or 9 minutes and watch closely until it tests done. It should be lightly browned, and the top should spring back when lightly touched.

Remove the cake from the pan onto a towel as soon as you take it from the oven. Roll up the cake in the towel and cool on a wire rack.

Make sure and check out how to make a cake roll for even more specific steps on perfecting this dessert.