It can be frustrating when your homemade cake slowly dries out once it is out of the oven. Simple syrup is a well known cake baker’s trick to keep a cake moist. Simple syrup soaks into any type of cake sponge, leaving it deliciously soft and moist for long periods of time.

Simmer gently three parts of cold water to one part sugar in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove top until the mixture boils. This will make a thin simple syrup for glazing on cakes.

Reduce the heat and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until all of the sugar has been dissolved into the water and the mixture is clear. The longer it is being boiled, the thicker the syrup will be when it has been fully cooled so ensure that you leave your mixture on the hob for no longer than three minutes once it has started to boil. Take the saucepan of simple syrup off the hob and leave it to cool.

Glaze each layer of the cake lightly with simple syrup using a pastry brush before icing or frosting. Spread the syrup evenly over the entire sponge, ensuring that no parts are left uncovered.

Pour any leftovers into a clean, tightly sealed container and store it in the refrigerator; it can usually be stored there for about one month. To guarantee that the simple syrup remains smooth during storage, stir in one tablespoon of corn syrup.