Can you add water to the cake batter?

Adding water to cake batter is discouraged unless specifically mentioned in the recipe. Water does not contribute additional richness, fat, flavor, structure, or leavening, which are usually added from other ingredients (e.g., flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, leavening agents). In some cases, a small amount of water may be recommended to adjust the batter's thickness if there is excess flour, but excess water should be avoided because it can negatively affect its texture, volume, and taste. Therefore, following the original recipe with recommended ingredients without substitutions like adding water is better when baking a cake.