If your cake is looking wet or soggy due to excess liquid in the recipe, there are a few steps you can take to salvage it and improve its texture:
Cook it longer: Return the cake to the oven and continue baking it for a bit longer. The additional baking time will help evaporate some of the excess liquid and improve the cake's texture. Keep a close eye on it to prevent overcooking.
Increase the oven temperature slightly: If the cake is not yet fully baked but the surface is already looking wet, you can increase the oven temperature by about 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit (5-8 degrees Celsius). This will help set the outer layer of the cake faster, reducing the chance of it becoming too soggy.
Use a toothpick or cake tester: Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake to check for doneness. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. If the toothpick comes out with wet batter clinging to it, the cake needs more baking time.
Remove excess liquid: If the cake has significantly cooled and you still find it too wet, you can try carefully draining excess liquid from the cake by creating small holes in the top with a toothpick or skewer. This may help some of the moisture escape, but be gentle to avoid damaging the cake.
Allow the cake to cool properly: Sometimes, a cake can appear wet on the surface due to residual steam inside the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before attempting to remove it or serve it. As it cools, some of the excess moisture may evaporate, improving the texture.
Adjust the recipe: If you encounter this problem frequently with the same recipe, consider adjusting the proportions of ingredients, especially the wet ones (e.g., milk, oil, eggs). You can reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe to prevent a similar issue in the future.
Remember that while these steps can help improve the texture of your cake, it might not be possible to completely reverse the effects of excess liquid. In some cases, you may need to start over with a new, properly measured recipe to achieve the desired results.