I just baked a lemon pound cake.I put a pan w/ h2O under the cake.Is this method only for sponge cake recipes?

I was told the steam from the water in the pan would help cook the cake more evenly. Instead, I get a that look very moist from the bottom half way up. The cake tastes fine. But, I know it is not something that grabs your attention and makes you make to eat a slice.


Now I am wondering if the steam is needed for other ckes, not a lemon pound.I just baked a lemon pound cake.I put a pan w/ h2O under the cake.Is this method only for sponge cake recipes?
I've never used steam for a pound cake or regular cake. I do use it for some cheescake recipes and some sponge cakes as well as rice pudding and baked custard. Only use the steam bath or extra moisture pan if a recipe calls for it.I just baked a lemon pound cake.I put a pan w/ h2O under the cake.Is this method only for sponge cake recipes?
For a pound cake, you really just don't need the water bath. It will cook just fine. The excess moisture could cause other problems too, besides the soggy bottoms, such as keeping the cakes from rising properly or setting properly. So if the recipe doesn't call for it, I wouldn't put in the water pan.





If you're worried about even cooking, you might consider putting in some extra mass, like a pizza stone or an unglazed earthenware tile in the bottom of the oven. This will keep constant even heat, which will help counter any hot or cold spots in the oven.





Also, in case you get the soggy bottoms again, it helps to turn the cake out as soon as it cools a bit. You want to let it finish setting up in the pan, but when you can handle it without getting burnt, turn it out. This will let the excess steam out and keep you from having the soggy problem.
I have NEVER put water in the oven w/ my pound cakes... only to bake custard, rice pudding, bread pudding, and French Bread (and that's ice cubes tossed in).
Id look up recipes for lemon pound cake and see how they say to bake it... http://www.cdkitchen.com has a great recipe for it.
i have never used steam to cook sponge cakes...