.... and speaking of a pre-heated oven, here's a tip my mother gave me years and years ago. I happily share this little gem with everyone. When the directions call for a preheated oven (let's say 350 F), set your oven temp at 360. When the temperature is ready (at 360) pop your product into the oven, close the door and immediately reset the oven dial to 350.
The reason is simple... when you open the oven door to pop stuff inside, heat escapes and the oven temp. immediately drops by 5 or 10 degrees. You are placing a cold pan with cold ingredients, into a hot oven; this also adds to temperature drop..... You want a perfect temperature (as called for in the recipe), particularly for baked goods. It works for me.
There are three possibilities which may prevent your cake from rising. Your mix may be too liquidy; remember to measure your ingredients accurately. Or, your pan may be too large. Always follow the recommended pan size for best results. Finally, your oven may be too cool; use an oven thermometer to measure the correct temperature when heating or preheating your oven.
