Accidentally adding too much salt to a cake recipe can be quite challenging to fix, especially if you don't want to add more sugar to balance the flavor. However, there are a few things you can try to mitigate the salty taste without altering the sugar content:
Dilute the batter: One option is to make more batter without salt and mix it with the existing batter. This will help reduce the overall concentration of salt in the mixture.
Double the recipe: If you have enough ingredients, you can double the entire cake recipe (without adding more salt) and bake two cakes. Afterward, you can layer them together with frosting or filling in between, which may help spread out the salty taste.
Add a flavor mask: You can try adding some ingredients with strong flavors to mask the saltiness. For example, you could incorporate additional vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or strong spices like cinnamon or cardamom. These flavors won't neutralize the salt, but they might help distract from it.
Sweet toppings or glaze: Consider using a sweet glaze or topping that doesn't add more sugar to the cake itself. A fruit glaze, such as raspberry or apricot, could complement the cake's flavor and draw attention away from the saltiness.
Serve with something sweet: If the cake is going to be served with accompaniments, such as ice cream, whipped cream, or a sweet sauce, the contrast of flavors might make the saltiness less noticeable.
Combine with another dessert: If you have other desserts or treats available, you can serve the cake alongside them, making it just one part of a more extensive dessert spread. People may be less likely to focus on the saltiness if they have other options to enjoy.
It's essential to remember that while these methods may help reduce the impact of the excess salt, they might not entirely eliminate the issue. In the future, it's best to measure ingredients accurately and double-check the recipe to avoid such mishaps.