How We Test Baking Pans
In the Good Housekeeping Institute, we tested 14 baking pan sets for performance and ease of use, including nonstick options . We made over 200 cookies and roasted almost 20 pounds of broccoli to ensure even cooking in the oven, easy cleaning and no warping. We whittled down the offerings to those baking pan sets that are a cinch to clean, can handle repeated washing and can stand up to high heat. We chose sets that can turn out evenly browned, level cakes with a fine texture, bake uniform cookies and provide consistently roasted veggies. We tested baking stalwarts like Wilton as well as faves from our stainless steel cookware tests like All-Clad and Anolon. Our kitchen experts believe these are the best baking pan sets you can buy in 2021:
- Rimmed handles may seem a little bulky to some
During our tests, this set stood out for ease of use and would be a great addition to any baker’s kitchen. Each of the pans has generous handles that make them easy to grab and rotate, and they’re super simple to clean. In addition to including the pieces we value most , the set comes with a rack and two loaf pans to meet all your baking needs as well as a cover for the rectangular pan for easy transporting and storage.
The Best Rectangular And Square Cake Pans
*At the time of publishing, the price was $0.
The sides of the USA pan are slightly flared out, and if you want to make a really perfect square layer cake, its better to have a pan with perfectly straight sides. For that, Parrish Magic Line is one of the few brands that makes 8-inch square pans and 9- by 13-inch pans with sides and corners all at sharp right angles. It also makes square and rectangular pans in numerous other sizes, which are great for playing around with tiered cakes. Plus the wide lip jutting out from the rim of these pans makes them easy to pick up and flip over. Just keep in mind that Magic Line pans are uncoated, and its best to line them with parchment. The reflective aluminum sides will deflect heat, meaning your cakes may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
Other Cake Pans We Tested
If you cant decide between a round or a bundt pan, you may like the features that Ballarini has to offer. This two-in-one set up gives you a flat base for round cakes and a fluted base for bundt cakes. The springform not only lets you switch between the two bases easily, but also makes detaching the baked goods effortless. Our cakes turned out fine, with no noticeable unevenness or domed tops.
However, this nice setup isnt without major flaws. First, it claims to have PFOA-free nonstick coating, but in testing, all three cakes stuck when we tried to remove the cakes. Furthermore, the base had visible scratches though we refrained from using metal utensils in testing. Another major issue we ran into was leaking, which is a common problem that exists in springform pans across the board. In the yellow cake tests, the cake batter leaked from the bottom of the springform.
Pros
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Can bake both bundt and round cakes
Cons
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The Best Loaf Pan: Nordic Ware Fluted Loaf Pan
A loaf thats baked in the Nordic Ware fluted loaf pan emerges like a butterfly from a cocoon, intricately designed and absolutely stunning. With its undulating curves and star-like design, this Nordic Ware pan molds even the plainest pound cake or banana bread into a beauty queenno glaze or dusting of powdered sugar necessary, though it sure is nice. If youve been done dirty by a pan with an elaborate design in the past, dont fret: This piece of nonstick bakeware will unmold beautifully with just the lightest coating of butter or baking spray.
Best Aluminum Cake Pan: Wilton Aluminum Round Set
These aluminum cake pans from Wilton are praised most for their ability to distribute heat evenly. Reviewers also love that they’re lightweight but still feel sturdy and durable. For best results, these pans should be properly greased and floured before going into the oven to ensure an easier, cleaner removal process. One reviewer wrote, “I highly recommend these! They will not make your cake base darker, and allow for an even bake.”
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They Have A Small Opening For Easy Storage And They Are Dishwasher Safe
Dish-washing these would be an understatement! They are so small you probably wont even know theyre there. They have a small opening for easy storage and they are dishwasher safe. You can simply rinse and put them in the sink, and if youre using them for dessert, they would have finished the job.
Fat Daddios Round Cake Pan Celebration Set
This is a set of products which includes three convenient round cake pans with three different sizes that help you easily select the size of the cake depending on your purpose.
Besides, thanks to the ability to reflect heat rather than absorb heat as traditional cake pans, this professional-grade baking pan can help you accelerate the baking speed. It also cools very quickly to help the cake not be overcooked.
This set is made of anodized aluminum, maximizing durability and heat resistance. And these features are some dissimilarities between hard-anodized and stainless steel cookware. Thanks to this optimal material, the pans surface will not rust or react when exposed to any substance.
Moreover, you will not need to worry that dishwashing soap, detergent, oils, and flavors will absorb into aluminum like other traditional products.
In fact, Fat Daddios Best Round Cake Pan Celebration Set is a professional cake pan that can be trusted. Your cake will be extremely safe, hygienic and delicious thanks to this professional cake pan.
Key Features:
For more details, spare a moment to watch this review video:
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How Do You Prevent The Cake From Sticking To The Pan
It depends on the type of cake you’re baking. Many recipes will specify how you should prepare a baking pansome call for just greasing the tin, others may instruct you to grease and flour, and some cakes require no pan preparation at all. If you’re worried about your cake getting stuck, you can always opt to line your baking pan with parchment paper it guarantees that your baked goods won’t stick and makes it very easy to clean up when you’re finished.
An Essential Pan For The Baker’s Kitchen
Our corrugated round cake pan will turn out golden, perfectly baked cakes every time. Excellent for layer cakes, cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, dinner rolls, and more. This eco-friendly and easy-to-clean pan is manufactured from a mix of steel and aluminum . Made exclusively for us by USA Pans, the gold standard in professional bakeware. This line of heavy-duty pans bearing the King Arthur name is unsurpassed in quality, durability, and innovative design. Pan is coated with Americoat, a clear, nonstick, non-toxic, environmentally friendly coating that is specially formulated for superior baking and an easy release of baked goods. The unique corrugated surface provides air circulation all around, for better browning, more even baking, and perfect release. Choose from an 8-inch cake pan or a 9-inch cake pan the most common cake pan sizes. Our customers, and our test kitchen bakers, swear by these pans try them yourself and see the difference they can make in your favorite recipes.
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Usa Pan Bakeware Round Cake Pan
USA Pan Bakeware Round Cake Pan measures 9 inches in diameter in common and 2.25 inches deep.
This cake pan is equipped with a non-stick Americoat coating that helps you quickly remove the cake from the pan. As a result, the cleaning is also optimized, becoming faster and a lot easier.
For your information, this patented Americoat non-stick coating is a silicon coating that does not contain PTFE, PFOA and BPA.
To conclude, this is the best round cake pan extremely suitable for making multi-layer cake due to its great depth.
Key Features:
Watch this video to know more about the product:
Best Uncoated Cake Pan
Pros: Dishwasher safe, cake releases easily, a good option for those who don’t like nonstick coatings
Cons: Easily scratched, parts of cake may stick
For those who prefer an uncoated pan, the Nordic Ware pan was easy to use and clean. After running a knife along the edge, cake released from the pan without any effort. Though a thin layer of the outside crust stuck to the sides and bottom of the pan, the layer was negligible in terms of the overall cake size and appearance.
Like the KitchenAid pan, the Nordic Ware pan is a light color, which means the cake shrunk back from the sides less than it did in darker-colored pans and was perfectly cooked in the center. Additionally, this pan produced the tallest cake out of all the pans we tested, but it was ultimately not our top choice because of the minor sticking issues.
Because of the thin layer stuck to the pan, cleaning it required more scrubbing and time. However, there was no discoloration after baking and the scouring pad did not damage the surface. It can also go in the dishwasher. Metal utensils do scratch this pan, but surface damage will not impact baking performance.
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Anodized Aluminum Vs Aluminized Steel Vs Carbon Steel
There arent many players in the game when it comes to the materials used to make bakewareyoull probably see aluminum, ceramic, and stainless steel as the most common ones for pie dishes and cake pans. But there are significant differences in how these materials are treated for each pan, as conductivity differs and heat retention properties will vary.
And more importantly, with nonstick bakeware rising in popularity, be sure you know the safest way to use and care for your nonstick pans. These best practices will help you keep your pans working and looking their best for years to come.
Anodized aluminum is basically aluminum that has gone through a controlled oxidation process, which gives the metal a naturally formed coating. The benefit of anodized aluminum is that the bakeware holds the same level of conductivity as aluminum, but is also much stronger and not as reactive to acidic foods. The coating gives the metal necessary protection against corrosion, making the pan more durable.
Cheaply-produced carbon steel is the other material weve seen in this round of cake pan testing. Theyre lightweight and typically coated with chemically produced nonstick materials to save on cost.
The Best Sheet Pan: Nordic Ware Half
This baking sheet is made with high-quality, pure, uncoated aluminum, which lends itself to even heat distribution more efficiently and uniformly than aluminized steel or stainless steel. This results in food that bakes evenly, rises predictably, and browns perfectlyso when you put chocolate chip cookies in the oven on an aluminum sheet pan, they start baking immediately and stop baking as soon as you pull them out. Something called a reinforced encapsulated steel rim makes Nordic Wares baking trays virtually warp-resistant. Cleaning your aluminum pan is easy, especially when you line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat prior to cooking. Before the initial use and after every use following, hand-wash it with warm, soapy water.
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Nordic Ware Platinum Angel Food Cake Pan
Nordic Ware Platinum Angel Food Cake Pan is a great round pan with large capacity. It is a perfect choice to make angel food cakes. And dont fret about the possibility of freezing Angel Food cake for storing leftovers, you can do it well, but under some conditions.
With the characteristics of cast aluminum, Nordic Ware Platinum Angel Food Cake Pan features fast and even heat distribution, giving you the perfect cake.
Moreover, Nordic Ware Platinum Angel Food Cake Pan with a diameter of 10 inches gives an enormous capacity, up to 16 cups.
In particular, Nordic Ware Platinum Angel Food Cake Pan has additional handles on both sides to help you move and handle the pan easily when using.
Key Features:
Watch this informative video before you buy this product:
Nordic Ware Anniversary Bundtlette Pan
Amazon
Pros: The cutest little Bundt cakes around perfect for drizzled icing.
Cons: Non-stick coating can easily be scratched.
Minneapolis-based Nordic Ware released special-edition pieces like this bundlette pan for its 65th anniversary, and we love that it bakes the companys classic fluted Bundt cakes in miniature form. Just like the traditional pan, this cast aluminum version is nonstick with an extra-large center tube and a specific attention to crisp detail, from the alternate vertical flutings to handles that make unmolding and lifting easy breezy.
- Material: Aluminum
- Dimensions: 3.6 x 2 inches
- Wash: Hand wash
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Nordic Ware Jubilee Bundt Pan
Amazon
Pros: Its a well-made pan with a beautiful shape.
Cons: Handle it with care, as the finish can easily be scratched with a sharp tool.
You dont always want texture on a cake, but when you do, nothing beats a Bundt pan. When the cake cools, the crags from the pan are perfect for drizzling icing over. With a golden exterior, this pretty pan consists of durable cast-aluminum metal with PFOA-free nonstick coating to help the cake release after cooking. Nordic Ware, the inventor of the signature Bundt pan design, releases new castings regularly, so keep an eye out for everything from floral patterns to ribbon-like shapes.
- Material: Aluminum
- Dimensions: 9 x 3 inches
- Wash: Hand wash
Pros: Its both nonstick and dishwasher safe, and it comes with or without a lid.
Cons: It can scratch easily.
A sturdy rectangular pan is a must-have for any baker, and this very inexpensive model from Farberware gives you great excuse to refresh your collection. With a lid included, it will come in handy for any potluck or dinner party. The heavy-duty construction makes this pan warp resistant while still encouraging even browning all around. Plus, it can do double duty for other baking needs with a threshold of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The rolled edges and non-stick alloy steel make it durable and easy to transport. And unlike a lot of other coated models, the pan is dishwasher safe, though the lid is not.
- Material: Alloy steel
- Dimensions: 9 x 13 x 2 inches
- Wash: Hand wash
The Best Cake Pans For Birthday Cakes Wedding Cakes And Cakes Every Day
All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
It may not seem necessary to try to find the very best cake pan. Cake pans are probably one of those tools you dont actually remember buyingsuddenly you just have one or two that you trot out a few times a year for birthday cakes. And it may seem like these randomly acquired pans are just fine. After all, many standard metal cake pans look and feel pretty much the sameand you might think that they perform similarly, too. But in testing the same classic yellow cake recipe six times in six similar-but-different cake pans, I found the opposite to be true: A cake pan is not a cake pan is not a cake pan. Luckily, I found one pan that really is the bestthe one that, ahem, takes the cake. Read about the winners below for more information about testing methods and what I looked for in a cake pan, scroll to the bottom of the page.
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How To Keep Your Cakes From Burning While Using Round Cake Pans
Round cake pans can burn cakes if you use the wrong technique. The reason is that heat is expressed directly from the metallic cake pans. Here are a few simple ways to avoid burning your cakes:
- You should not bake the cake right out of the refrigerator. If you do, heat will not be distributed evenly, and the side of the cake will start to cook long before the center is done.
- If you keep your oven temperature relatively low, you should have fewer problems with overcooking. If you start baking at 325 degrees Fahrenheit, you might need to set your timer for 5 to 7 minutes longer.
- In addition to everything else, make sure to select the kind of material that can withstand high temperatures. Its very important to keep your cake from burning and turning into oversized hockey pucks. Investment in this area will be worth it for a greater baking experience and better, more reproducible outcomes.
The Best Round Cake Pan
*At the time of publishing, the price was $12.
If youre an ambitious baker, you may want to tackle tiered cakes, and youll need a wider variety of sizes than just 8, 9, and 10 inches . Or maybe you dream of making enormous cakes, or tiny, 4-inch cakes for two. For that kind of variety, Id recommend Parrish Magic Line, which makes pans in every size between 3 inches and 16 inches, at prices low enough that you can afford to expand your options. We saw Magic Line pans recommended many times in forums like Cake Central, and the 9-inch pan is well-reviewed on Amazon with 4.8 stars out of more than 250 reviews. Though we found they baked cakes paler than other pans, this can be remedied by an extra few minutes in the oven. Magic Line pans arent completely nonstick, but they do release cakes better than Fat Daddios, the only other brand to come in so many sizes. Its safest to line the pan with parchment, but its good to know that im a pinch it should work just fine without.
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