Cakes should always be perfectly made; after all, these delicious treats are the centerpiece of every celebration. The problem is, cakes are arguably the hardest recipe to do in the culinary world. There are a lot of factors to look into when making a cake – one of them is a cake pan.
With the best cake pans at your disposal, making a high-quality cake is easy – although it will still rely on your skills and ingredients. That said, looking for a quality cake pan isn’t easy. To help you with that, we’ve reviewed the best cake pans for your cake baking needs to provide you with some insight.
How to Choose the Best Cake Pans
It goes without saying that there are several factors to consider when looking for a cake pan. To ensure you bought the perfect product, make sure you take these tips into account:
Select the right size and shape
The size of your cake pan is an important factor in how well it works on certain cake recipes. Select the cake pans that are designed according to what kind of cake recipes you’re going to make. For instance, a circular cake pan is best used for making round cakes, while cupcakes need cake pans that have a dozen or more round sockets on them.
Choose cake pans that are made of the right materials
Some cake pans are made with substandard materials that can ruin the appearance of the cake, especially those that aren’t made of non-stick materials. The most common feature of cake pans is that they’re made of aluminized steel and coated with a non-stick coating.
Aluminized steel enhances the cake pan’s capacity to conduct heat evenly, thus baking the cake efficiently. Meanwhile, the non-stick coating makes releasing the cake from the cake pan easy.
The more you’ll make, the more you should buy
If you’re making more than one cake recipes or a huge quantity of one cake recipe, then you’ll need multiple cake pans of different types. Making a cake is a very time-consuming task – making multiple cakes is even so. Maximize the number of cakes you’ll make in a certain period of time by using multiple cake pans to finish them as soon as possible.
Decide on the type of pan
Cake pans are categorized into several types depending on their specific use and purpose. They are as follows:
Traditional
As the name implies, this type of cake pans is the most commonly used. It’s considered as the standard choice for making various kinds of cakes. A traditional cake pan is often shaped into common shapes such as rectangular, circular, and square.
Also, a traditional cake pan has a flat bottom and high straight sides to make cakes that are perfectly leveled on each side.
Mini-cake Pans/Cupcake Pans
Cupcake pans typically have a dozen circular sockets on them where you pour the ingredients, although there are some with lesser or more sockets. This can help you make dozens of identical cupcakes or mini-cakes with a uniform size and shape. That aside, these pans are what professional pastry chefs use to make hundreds of cupcakes/mini-cakes within the shortest amount of time possible.
Cake Rings
Cake rings are similar to the traditional cake pan. They’re ideal for making various kinds of layered cake and have high straight sides. The difference is that they do not have a bottom. Instead, you will have to use a baking sheet or baking pan as its base.
The good thing about cake rings is that you can easily slide it up once your cake is finished without the risk of ruining it.
Sheet Cake Pans
Sheet cake pans are most ideal for thin cakes that are rolled (ex. Yule logs) once finished. They are rectangular in shape with upturned edges and are shallow, usually an inch deep.
They can also be used as the base for cake rings. When using a sheet cake pan, it is highly recommended to use pan liners and parchment papers to prevent the cake from sticking to its surface.
Novelty Cake Pans
This type of cake pan is best used for cakes that need to be formed into various special shapes such as hearts, stars, animals, and many more. Novelty cake pans are readily forged into such shapes. All you have to do is pour the batter in the cake pan, and it will do the shaping for you.
Also, you don’t have to hassle yourself sculpting the cake’s special shape with your bare hands. Just remember to flour or grease the corners of the pans to avoid the cake from sticking. If you don’t do so, then the shape of the cake will be ruined.
Spring-form Cake Pans
Such cake pans have adjustable sides held by a clamp and a removable button. Its features are ideal for cake recipes that can’t be turned upside down when cooling such as tortes, crumb cakes, and cheesecakes. You simply have to pry open the clamp in order to release the sides once the cake has already cooled.
Bundt Cake Pans
These cake pans are used for making ring-shaped cakes, just like donuts. Bundt cake pans have holes in their middle which gives the cake a ring shape. They have domed bottoms to shape the cake round, and some have angular bottoms to make cakes with complicated designs.
Silicone Cake Molds
These cake molds enable you to conveniently remove the treats from the molds when they’ve already cooled due to its silicone material. They are often used for cupcakes and allow you to make dozens of desserts with uniform sizes.
Consider purchasing cake pans with special features
Some cake pans are designed to make your cake look creative, such as forming them into unique shapes. Most importantly, children will be fond of special looking cakes. These types of cake pans are commonly used in cake making competitions and special celebrations. They’re mostly known as novelty cake pans.
Purchase durable cake pans
Choose cake pans that possess qualities that will make them last longer, such as those that are resistant from scratches, abrasions, bents, and dents. Try to avoid cake pans that are made of very thin metals as they can be bent or dented easily.
A good example of durable material is silicone. Silicone is very flexible and can withstand sudden temperature changes. You can even store silicone pans directly into the freezer from the oven.
Best Cake Pans
Wilton Recipe Right Non-Stick Oblong Cake Pan
Nonstick and Easy to Clean
This oblong-shaped cake pan has a non-stick coating, allowing the easy release of the cake. Additionally, it is easy to clean especially with warm soapy water. It has a heavy gauge construction which prevents warping and enabling heat to spread evenly.
- Coated with non-stick coating
- Conducts heat very well
- Includes a limited 5-year warranty
- Easy to wash
- Can be potentially bent or dented
USA Pan Bakeware 1070LC Round Cake Pan
Recommended for Multi-layered Round Cakes
This is a round cake pan which is made of aluminized steel. It gives you a quick and convenient cake release, not to mention it’s easy to clean with hot water, sponge, and mild soap. This cake pan is coated with PFOA, PTFE, and BPA-free silicone coating.
- Comes with non-stick Americoat coating
- Comes in four different sizes to choose from
- Provides even heat distribution
- There were some complaints about rusting
OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Round Cake Pan
Offers Perfection for Multi-layered Cakes
This 9-inch round cake pan’s surface has a micro-textured pattern, thus reducing contact with the cake and allowing airflow underneath. It distributes heat evenly due to its aluminized steel material which also gives durability to the cake pan. It is coated with a ceramic-reinforced, non-stick, PTFE-free coating.
Also, it’s built with square roll-edges for convenient handling in and out of the oven while wearing an oven mitt. The cake pan’s manufacturer offers to repair or replace an item free of charge if it has defects.
- Resistant to scratches and abrasions
- Its pattern allows even baking for better results
- Made of commercial-grade aluminized steel
- Requires handwashing to thoroughly clean the pan
Nordic Ware Platinum Collection Angel Food Cake Pan
The Perfect Option for Pound Cakes
This one’s an angel food cake pan by Nordic Ware which is made of cast aluminum. It distributes heat efficiently and evenly to ensure beautiful results. It has a capacity of up to 16 cups with a diameter of 10 inches.
Moreover, it is coated with a premium non-stick coating to provide you with quick food release and ease when washing it.
- Comes with side handles for easy handling
- Features a large 18-cup capacity
- Easy to wash
- Some customers complained about their cake sticking
Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Nonstick Round Cake Pans
Ensures Cakes Are Released with a Perfect Shape
This US-made round cake pan provides you with quality baking results due to its commercial-grade aluminized steel which conducts heat evenly and consistently. It’s Goldtouch ceramic-based non-stick coating provides the cake pan strong resistance against scratches, abrasions, rust, and corrosions.
It is built with extra-thick rolled edges for convenient handling and prevention from warping.
- Great heat conductor
- Comes with a non-stick coating
- Resistant to scratches, rust, corrosion, and abrasions
- Can’t be stacked, causing them to take up a lot of storage space
Cuisinart 9-Inch Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware Round Cake Pan
The Chef’s Favorite Cake Pan
When it comes to cake pans, this cake pan is pretty basic but will still provide even cooks and great cakes every time you decide to use it. The pan is a little expensive when compared to other cake pans, but it does come with a lifetime warranty to protect it.
The cake pan is constructed of heavy gauge aluminized steel which provides fast and even heat distribution across the surface of the pan. The pan also has excellent heat retention. The edge has a rolled heavy lip to make it easy to transfer in and out of the oven with a comfortable and easy grip. The pan is 9 inches in diameter and has a non-stick rolled coating to protect the pan from scratches but also to have quick food release which is important when baking cakes individually.
The pan is easy to use and will not warp under extreme temperatures giving it extra stability and durability to last a lifetime. The pan is easy to clean as it is dishwasher safe as well.
- The cake pan is constructed of heavy gauge aluminized steel that provides fast and even heat distribution across all of the surfaces of the cake pan.
- The cake pan is 9 inches in diameter and has a non-stick pan coating that prevents scratches and corrosion that ultimately protects the pan and helps to promote good food release.
- The lip of the cake pan has a heavy rolled edge to give the user easy transferring of the cake pan in and out of the oven and extra stability and durability to ensure it will not warp under high temperatures.
- While the pan does come with a lifetime warranty to protect it, it is priced fairly high when compared to other cake pans.
Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan
Durable Cake Pan Used by Commercial Kitchens
This round cake pan is made of anodized aluminum which makes it durable and long-lasting. It can bake various other recipes aside from cakes. It has no other extra metal and chemical coating, making it free of PTFE and PFOA. Storing it in the freezer is certainly safe.
It is easy to clean with bare hands and is trusted by professionals around the world. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Made using the manufacturer’s own “Safe-Sea” process for a safer and more durable construction
- Easy to clean
- Comes with no chemical coatings
- Can be used with other recipes
- Can be vulnerable to scratches and abrasions while washing
Hiware Non-stick Springform Pan
Perfect for Common Favorites such as Cheesecakes
This springform pan by Hiware fits and works efficiently in pressure cookers measuring from 6 to 8 quarts. It is coated with a double layer non-stick coating for easy release of the cake without the risk of damaging it. It’s also free from toxic and hazardous chemicals. The coating also provides you with ease when washing the pan.
It can withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, Hiware will offer you a 100% money back guarantee if you’ve purchased a pan with major defects.
- Durable and leakproof construction
- Can withstand high temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Versatile and can be used for various recipes
- Handwashing is highly recommended to avoid scratching
Chicago Metallic Professional Round Cake Pan
One of the Best Round Cake Pans for Multi-layered Cakes
This round cake pan is perfect for cakes in all kinds of celebrations. It is made of aluminized steel which enables even heat conduction and distribution. It can also prevent warping due to its enhanced wire rod rom. It is coated with a non-stick, silicone base coating for easy cake release and cleanup.
- Available at a very affordable price
- Comes with a non-stick silicone coating
- Ideal for baking multi-layered cakes
- Its dark finish can result in cake edges cooking too quickly
Calphalon Nonstick Round Cake Pan
The Perfect Option for Single-Layered Cakes
This cake pan is coated with layers of non-stick coating for convenient and long-lasting food release. Its heavy-gauge steel material evenly distributes heat for consistent baking. It is a guaranteed dishwasher-safe cake pan which is covered by a full lifetime warranty offered by Calphalon.
- Made of heavy-gauge steel to prevent warping
- Features a simple yet practical finish
- Covered by a lifetime warranty
- The absence of side handles makes it a bit inconvenient to get in and out of your oven
Final Thoughts
We know for a fact that making a cake is no easy task; however, such task can certainly be made easier with the use of the right tools – one of which is a durable and reliable cake pan. Just like using the best muffin pans for creating muffins, using the best cake pans will allow you to come up with great baking results.
Thanks for writing on the best cake pans; they look awesome to me.