Burning edges, cakes not rising and the dreaded soggy bottom are the most common baking fails.
A poll of 1,200 adults who bake found each baker had an average of two recipes wrong in the last year, with one of these going completely awry and resulting in a not so appetising result.
Mishaps included 21 per cent simply forgot to add a key ingredient like sugar, flour or eggs.
While 10 per cent endured the dreaded curdle when putting together a showstopping bake.
The research was commissioned by Lyle’s, which also created an interactive quiz to help bakers test their knowledge across various kitchen scenarios.
The quiz reveals your unique 'baking personality', from a daring Recipe Rebel to a precise Golden Baker, and even suggests a recipe tailored to your skill level.
Olivia Haley, from the golden syrup maker, said: “Whether you’re a baking pro or just testing the waters, we’re all about turning those sticky situations into absolutely golden moments.
“Behind every sunken sponge or slightly too golden pastry lies a lesson, helping bakers turn mishaps into mastery.
“In our world, there’s no such thing as failure in the kitchen, and mistakes are just the start of becoming a better baker.”
The study revealed other baking misadventures included forgetting to grease or line a baking tin (21 per cent), having cookies spread out to form one giant mass (18 per cent) or bakes collapsing (16 per cent).
With the highest percentage of fails occurring while baking cookies (23 per cent), followed by a Victoria sponge (21 per cent) and loaves of bread (20 per cent).
Cupcakes (18 per cent), cheesecake (17 per cent) and scones (16 per cent) also have high potential for disaster.
For half of bakers who have faced a kitchen clanger, they try and learn from mistakes but still feel frustrated when things go off-track.
In the event of a baking fail, 45 per cent would try and salvage it – by scraping off burnt bits, re-icing or desperately adding sauce.
While 34 per cent would eat it anyway ‘out of principle’, and 18 per cent say they embrace the mishaps, with some of best baking memories coming from unexpected results.
Most bakers are likely to stick to simple bakes they know and love (30 per cent) compared to 18 per cent who like to try new or complex recipes.
However, three per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, stated everything they make comes out perfectly.
Nearly half (46 per cent) are also more inspired to get into the kitchen and grab the whisks when The Great British Bake Off is back on TV.
For 55 per cent, it reminds them how fun baking can be, while 54 per cent love to pick up new ideas to try out.
Olivia Haley from Lyle’s, which had created a series of recipes [https://www.lylesgoldensyrup.com/recipes/], added: “Some of the most creative bakes come from trying to fix the ones that didn’t go to plan. Failure isn’t just part of baking - it’s the ingredient that makes success taste even sweeter.
“The best bakers aren’t the ones who get it right every time, they’re the ones who try, savouring the small golden moments in everything they create.
“After all, it’s the thought that counts, and that’s absolutely golden to us.”
THE TOP 20 BAKING FAILS:
1. The edges burnt
2. The cake didn’t rise
3. The bottom was soggy
4. I forgot to add a key ingredient (e.g. sugar, eggs, flour, golden syrup)
5. The icing or decoration was a disaster
6. I misread the recipe
7. I forgot to grease/line the tin
8. I over-mixed the ingredients
9. I opened the oven door too early and it ruined the bake
10. The mixture overflowed in the oven
11. I used the wrong oven temperature
12. The cookies spread into one big sheet
13. I substituted an ingredient for something that didn’t work well
14. The bake collapsed (e.g. a soufflé or sponge)
15. I didn’t preheat the oven
16. I spilt the mixture/ingredients
17. It turned out too sweet
18. I ran out of ingredients halfway through
19. I used out-of-date ingredients
20. The cake mix curdled
