flat cakes?

Help! I'm currently in the process of making Momofuku Milk Bar's German Chocolate Cake. I made the cake portion last night and it did not rise at all and is basically the same height as when I put the batter in the pan. I triple checked ingredients list and didn't leave anything out. Today, I attempted Smitten Kitchen's fudgey chocolate sheet cake, and the same thing happened! Any suggestions? Or am I just cursed?! Leaving both recipe links below... Thanks in advance!

http://www.popsugar.com/food/Momofuku-Milk-Bar-German-Chocolate-Cake-Recipe-34778995

http://smittenkitchen.com...

Emily Love
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4 Comments

QueenSashy December 4, 2015
Several other potential culprits here http://www.bhg.com/advice/food/baking/flat-cakes/
 
Nancy December 4, 2015
Not cursed.
Perhaps stuck with inactive baking powder or baking soda.
To test baking powder, put 1/2 tsp in bowl, add 1/4 cup boiling water + mixture should bubble immediately.
For baking soda, mix 1/4c hot water, 1/4 tsp white or cider vinegar & 1/4 tsp baking soda...should fizz immediately.
If these two are ok, then something else is giving you trouble.
 
Emily L. December 4, 2015
thank you!! baking powder was okay. baking soda fizzed when I added vinegar and then stopped when I added the water... did I just do this in the wrong order?
 
Nancy December 4, 2015
Not a problem...both baking powder and baking soda sound OK(with water in the test for the latter was just to make a dilute solution, it wasn't the test...that was the vinegar, so it sounds active).
So, Watson, what else do you observe in the curious case of the cakes that failed to rise...
I confess I dont know.
 
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