A party without a cake is just a meeting. A good cake puts wide smiles on faces and warmth in people's hearts. Whether you are baking a cake for a party or your consumption, you want it to be perfect. Getting one of these best baking pans for cakes is the first step in the right direction.
We've carefully selected the best cake pans in the market with a good balance of being incredibly high-quality and long-lasting. Let's look at some of these options so that you can get the perfect cake pan to create your next masterpiece.
Best Baking Pans for Cakes and A Great Baking Experience
1. Fat Daddio's Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pans
- IDEAL FOR ANY RECIPE - Designed for round tiered and layered cakes, and deep-dish pizzas.
- MEASURES internally 9" x 2" (22.9 x 5.1 cm), overall 10" x 2" (25.4 x 5.1 cm).
- 16-GAUGE ANODIZED ALUMINUM - Easy release and clean up. Safe for citrus-based foods unlike traditional bakeware. Will never rust, peel or...
- HEATS & COOLS QUICKER - Prevents over-baking and dry cakes. Heats evenly with no hot spots. Temperature-rated up to 550° F (285° C)....
- BUILT BAKERY TOUGH - Built to last through daily use in both the home kitchen and commercial establishments.
Starting us off is these cake pans that are extremely budget-friendly but also high-quality. These best cake pans come in a set of three round cake pans (3 x 2-inch, a 5 x 2-inch, and a 7 x 2-inch). Made of quality aluminum, these cake pans are designed for round-tiered and layer cakes. You can also make deep-dish pizzas with this round pan.
The aluminum quality of these cake pans makes them able to heat and cool quickly. This means that they allow for a faster and even rise. If you regularly bake with acidic ingredients like citrus and have been looking for a cake pan that can handle that, you've hit the jackpot. The aluminum material of this cake pan makes it very durable and able to resist corrosion and rust naturally.
We understand that you may not like a pan with a nonstick coating. This is why we've put this as the first option because it is anodized and does not have a nonstick coating. Therefore, you don't have to worry about concerning your health. These pans are oven-safe for up to 550 degrees F. You'll find that your cake has a perfect texture and will turn out of the pun easily.
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2. USA Pan Bakeware Rectangular Cake Pan
- USA Pan baking pans feature Americoat which promotes quick release of baked-goods plus fast and easy clean up; wash with hot water, mild...
- Nonstick Americoat coating - a patented silicone coating which is PTFE, PFOA and BPA free - provides quick and easy release of all...
- Made in the USA; measures 9 x 13 x 2.25 inches
- USA Pan is a Bundy family company which has proudly manufactured high quality bakeware and provided jobs in the USA for over 50 years
If you're a home baker, you know that a rectangular or square cake pan is one of the most basic requirements for your kitchen. You can comfortably bake bar cookies, simple brownies, and of course, single-layer cakes. This USA cake pan is made of high-quality aluminized steel and measures 9 x 13 x 2.25 inches.
You'll be happy to see that your cake comes out golden and evenly browned. The corrugated sides of this USA pan enable you to take out your cake easily. Luckily, your cake will come out with straight sides as the corrugated sides don't mar your cake edges too much. Choosing the best bakeware is important, and that's why this USA pan is part of our top picks.
This USA pan provides you with a great way to bake brownies, moist cakes, and bar cookies that release easily, cook evenly, and taste great. These cake pans are great for baking cheesecake bars, crispy rice treats, and even delicious chocolate fudge browning.
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3. Cuisinart 9-Inch Round Cake Pan
- 9-inch round cake pan
- Heavy-gauge aluminized steel construction for even heat distribution
- Durable nonstick coating on interior and exterior
- Thick rolled edges prevent warping even at high temperatures
- Dishwasher-safe; limited lifetime warranty
Here we have another round pan that will serve you for years to come. This sturdy 9-inch round cake pan is light enough for you to handle any baking well. You can quickly move it around as you put the cake batter in and as you take out this round cake pan in and out of the oven.
This round cake pan has rolled edges but doesn't have any handles, which is why it's easily portable but doesn't take up a lot of space. You'll get an evenly baked cake with this round cake pan without the risk of doming. Although this cake pan is dishwasher safe, it's best if you hand wash it to ensure that it lasts long.
This is one of the best cake pans that is easy to clean, so you don't have to worry about cleaning after baking a delicious cake. You can comfortably place this cake pan into your oven and be confident that you'll get a round evenly cooked cake when it's all said and done.
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4. Simply Calphalon Square Cake Pan
- Heavy-gauge steel core won't warp and heats evenly without hot spots so your cookies and cakes come out of the oven perfectly and evenly...
- The interior of each piece has interlocking non-stick layers that are designed to deliver long-lasting, high-performance release. Releases...
- Toffee colored nonstick finish is beautiful and practical. The lighter color makes it easier to prevent overbrowning.
- Reinforced rolled edges prevent warping.
- Dishwasher-safe and protected by a full 10-year warranty.
This nonstick pan bakeware will impress you with its innovative nature, releasing the stickiest and most delicate cakes and baked goods with ease. You'll have confidence baking with this best cake pan because it leaves no cake batter or sticky edges when you take the cake out.
The heavy-gauge steel core of this cake pan heats evenly, so you don't have to worry about any hot spots. Few cake pans can give you service as good as this one can, thanks to its amazing features such as ensuring doming doesn't happen. This cake pan is also dishwasher safe, and its lighter color ensures that your cake doesn't over brown.
Square pans such as this are versatile and a must-have in your kitchen. With Square pans, you can bake cakes, bars, and even brownies. You can distribute up to 500 degrees with this square pan. The reinforced rolled edges of this cake pan prevent its edges from wrapping. The nonstick coating also aids with the release and makes this cake pan easy to clean. Square pans are great for baked goods of various types and are a gem to have around.
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5. Nordic Ware Blossom Bundt Pan
- Made of cast aluminum for even baking
- Nonstick coating is allows for clean removal
- Fun design is great for holidays and parties
- 10 Cup capacity
- Made in the USA
If you want to make your friends and family swoon over your baking, go for this Bundt pan that can put even professional bakers to shame from your baked goods. This bakeware has a design that is solid and eye-catching. And the best part? It still releases cakes as well as the other cake pans on this list without any stick.
This Nordic ware is constructed with top-of-the-line materials that give this Bundt pan a durable life span and the ability to cook your cakes in your oven's heat. The aluminum construction of this Nordic ware has a premium PFOA-free nonstick coating. This means that you don't have to worry about your health every time you use this Bundt cake pan.
Most cake pans can't compare to this cake pan with its incredible design and high-quality construction material. Whether you are baking cakes for your own joy or an event, this even baking cake pan will speak for you. If you do professional baking, you can impress your clients with the baked goods that this bakeware produces
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Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Cake Pan
1. Versatility
We've looked at some amazing bakeware, including round pans, rectangular pans, and square pans. Having bakeware that you can use to make various cakes and other baked goods is a good investment. You want a pan to use for single-layer cakes, brownies, and any other baked goods you want to make.
Whether you are a professional baker or bake for fun, get yourself sturdy pans that you can use every time you want to make the best-baked goods.
2. Construction
We've seen above that not all pans are made the same. They will vary in shapes, sizes, coatings, and even quality. For the best value, go for a nonstick pan with easy-release, sturdy, durable, resistant to warping, and even heat distribution.
You can also get pans with sealed corners to ensure that the cake batter doesn't escape through.
3. Heat Conductivity
As a baker, you want to make the best-browned cake that will show off your creativity. To do this, you need to ensure that you are using the right pans for the right cakes. A pan with high heat conductivity ratings and a stated temperature threshold will be worth the investment.
Whether the shape is rectangular, square, or round, get a cake pan that allows you to make the best-baked goods without getting burnt edges, a gooey middle, or an overbaked cake.
4. Shape of the Cake
The size and shape of your pan are crucial as they determined the ked output. We've seen some pans that are square, round, and even rectangular in shape. Therefore, choose the cake pans that match the recipes that you are going to be making.
The shape of your pan will determine the shapes of your cakes and other baked goods. Ensure that your pan has a nonstick coating to ensure that your cake doesn't stick. Also, a pan that allows even baking is a great option.
5. Materials
Choose the best pans that are made of the right materials. For example, Aluminized steel allows your pans to conduct heat evenly and ensuring that your cake is free from hot spots and burning. Pans with a nonstick coating ensure that the cakes release easily from the pan once they are baked.
Avoid cake pans that aren't made of non-stick materials and also those made of substandard materials. These pans can ruin your cake and all your best efforts.
6. Dimensions
We've seen that cake pans come in varying sizes. When you are baking a cake, the recipe will often indicate the size and shape of the pan you should use. For example, boxed cake mixes require a 9-inch by the 13-inch rectangular pan. You can also use two 8-inch round pans.
The length, width, height, and diameter of the cake pan also matter. For example, if you select a cake pan that is too shallow for the cake you're making, the batter could spill over the edges. It might also prevent the cake from rising properly.
You'll find that the options above and most cake pans are 2 or 3 inches tall. Nonetheless, if you need need a pan with a taller height for a layer cake with thicker layers, you can choose a cake that has a bigger height.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are Glass or Metal Pans Better for Baking?
Metal pans are better because they conduct heat better. They are also thinner than glass which boosts their ability to conduct and distribute heat evenly through the cake. Nonetheless, placing a glass pie plate on your baking steel or aluminum pan can improve browning and crisping.
2. How do I Choose a Cake Pan?
Go through the factors above and make the best choice. Nonetheless, some of the most important factors that make a good cake pan are the ability to conduct heat steadily and distribute it evenly. The cake pan should also be large enough to allow the cake batter to grow.
Getting a light cake pan will also aid in keeping the crust thin, delicate, and delicious. Also, stainless steel contains iron that retains and distributes heat better than aluminum. However, aluminum takes a shorter time to heat, saving you time and baking your cake faster.
