Cake pans: what is the best type for each recipe?

Many people make mistakes in their cake recipes because they don't know exactly what type of cake pans to use. This raises a lot of doubts, but they will all be cleared up in this post.

There is a huge amount of cake molds, from the most basic to the most differentiated and these forms generate enormous curiosity in the preparation of these foods.

That's why we're now going to show you which types you can use best in your recipes so that you don't run out of excellent cakes at home.

Discover the main cake shapes!

These molds work for cakes, desserts and many other types of recipes. But first, we'll show you 7 cake molds that will make you an expert in the subject:

1. Round shape
2. Rectangular shape or tray
3. Removable bottom pan
4. Loaf pan (pound cake)
5. Tart pan
6. Center hole shape
7. Muffin or tartlet molds
8. Round shapes

These types are the most conventional to prepare variety of cakes that has. Thus, serving to prepare more basic cakes, those for birthdays and weddings, those made in layers, in tiers, and much more.

The pan you use depends on the number of people who will enjoy the cake, and there are adaptations for different sizes. For example, the standard pan has a size that is ideal for various recipes, measuring 20 cm in diameter.

Rectangular cake tins

They are also called trays, but they are different from oven plates. They are great for preparing brownies, flat cakes or those that are cut and placed on sticks or squares.

They provide the convenience of cutting into uniform slices and offer a choice when you need to make for many people.

Cake tins with removable bottoms

A removable bottom pan is a trendy addition to the kitchen, as it has the function of removing the bottom, which can be used for many preparations, such as baking cakes, adapting it to make tarts, semifreddos, and also cheesecakes.

Its shape is rounded, but there are other options of shapes and sizes. In fact, you must be careful when filling these shapes and check that it is well sealed, and also check that the dough placed in it is not too liquid.

A tip to avoid leaks is to line the bottom and sides with aluminum foil.

Loaf pan (English cake)

With these types of molds you can make all kinds of cakes, making them taller and baking them more evenly, as well as being easy to cut into straight slices.

The most common is to use it to prepare the English cake or the sliced bread, explaining its name and, in North American lands, the original preparation is by making a banana cake called banana bread, due to its shape.

This shape can also be used for recipes that are usually prepared on a tray, but are made in smaller portions, such as brownie recipes.

Tart cake molds

It is certainly easy to find out what these molds are for, as they are suitable for tarts, precisely because of their shape and make it easier to line the dough with the tart, as well as when cutting.

They also have a removable bottom, are shorter and their edges have a slight opening to the outside. They are great options for preparing cheesecakes. However, they are not suitable for cooking cakes due to their height and their shorter height. 

Cake tins with holes

Those who make classic recipes, like sponge cake and grandma's cakes! Since their shape allows these cakes to rise evenly around the hole in the center, allowing the dough to stick more firmly.

That's why they leave the cake baking with its dough fluffier and consistent at the right level (like sponge cake).

Furthermore, as they distribute the heat due to the greater contact between the pan and the dough, the cakes cook faster and do not result in raw parts in the middle. 

Muffin or tartlet molds

Muffins or the well-known cupcakes in general are just cakes that have a slightly smaller shape and are cooked in these molds.

Therefore, you can also use them to make cheesecakes, pies or brownies. It is an advantageous cake pan for baking cakes in the molds, being more practical when serving them and controlling the portions.

After all, can we replace the cake tins in a recipe?

This is a positive answer, it even suggests that you make the recipes creatively, a rounded brownie or a rectangular sponge cake, how about it?

In fact, it is not the shape you choose that will influence the flavor of your recipe. However, consider the proportion that determines the best distribution of the dough within your pan.

The shapes of these pans can also greatly influence the baking time. A cake prepared in a round pan or on a larger tray will cook much faster because the dough is not as thick as it is on this tray.

As well as exchanging a larger pan for muffin molds.

Because of this, such substitutions require that you adapt the measurements and proportions of your recipes according to the sizes of these molds, thus adapting the baking times.

A few more little details…

Generally, cake slices tend to weigh between 80 and 120 grams, with 100 grams being the most recommended.

If you want to sell your cakes, consider everything before you get started. For example, in larger bakeries and specialty stores, you should choose to sell the cakes in a round shape.

These round cakes with a 24 cm rim yield up to 16 slices weighing 100 grams each.

Anyway, that was our brief lesson on the cake molds that you will never have doubts!!