To avoid "elephant skin" (cracking or wrinkling on the surface), bakers are advised to use vegetable shortening
: Stir just until the flour disappears to keep the cake light and tender.
The phrase is a classic double entendre. "Taking the cake" is an idiom dating back to the 19th century, originally referring to cake-walk competitions where the most stylish or impressive performer literally won a cake. By pairing this with a physical description, the author immediately grabs attention through a mix of humor and literalism. Why It "Updates" So Well