How to Keep Your Cake from Sticking to the Pan

Keep Your Cake from Sticking to the Pan



Every baker hates when their cake sticks to the pan. Even worse is when a chunk tears off while trying to get the cake out of the pan.

Why did my cake stick to the pan

  • Not properly greasing the bakeware you use.
  • Using a scratched baking pan. Avoid using knives or sharp items on your bakeware, this could scratch the non-stick surface of the pan and compromise the quality of your pan.
  • Baking with poor quality bakeware can cause your cakes to stick to the pan. You have to be extra careful when preparing poor quality baking pans. Do not skip the corners, edges and even the top rim of the pan.
  • You greased your pan too far in advance and the oil or butter slid to the bottom.

Ways to keep your cake from sticking to bakeware

How to Keep Your Cake from Sticking to the Pan

Use Parchment paper

One of the easiest ways to prevent a cake from sticking to the pan is by using parchment paper. Simply use a little baking spray or butter to hold the parchment paper to the sides and bottom of the pan.
When using a round pan, you may only need to cut out a circle to fit the bottom of the pan. The disadvantage here is that this method cannot be used with bundt pans or specialty pans.

Butter and Flour Baking Pan

Whenever you read ‘prepare pan’ this is what the writer is referring to. All you have to do is rub butter, margarine or shortening all over the pan. Then, dust some flour all over the pan. Do not forget to tap out the excess flour.
For a chocolate cake, liberally apply cocoa powder to the buttered baking pan and dust out the excess cocoa powder.

The disadvantage of this method is that it leaves a residue on the cake crust. This makes it harder to give out the cake or take it to a party as it is or unfrosted.
According to the Arthur Flour website, you can also dust your baking pan with ground nuts to keep your cake from sticking to the pan.

Use Baking Spray

This is the easiest way of ensuring your cake is released from the pan. All you do is spray the cake release on the pan. For best results, you should use a baking spray that has flour added to it.
However, some baking sprays can cause your bakeware to deteriorate faster. Read reviews and buy what best suits your needs.

Use Pan Release

I stopped buying baking sprays and started using a pan release a few years ago. Now, I just use a brush to spread the pan release instead. I simply mix one part oil and one part flour. After mixing it, I brush it on the pan and keep the rest in the fridge. Usually, this mix lasts for at least 2 weeks in the fridge.

If your mix is very thick, it will leave a residue on the cake after it is baked. If you want to get rid of the residue, thin out the pan release with a little more oil.
Another pan release recipe is 1 part oil, 1 part shortening and 1 part flour. Whip it in your whisk or mixer and use this to grease your baking pan. This is a foolproof way to keep your cake from sticking to the pan

Sugaring

This is like the 2nd method listed above. Butter the pan and then apply a dusting of granulated sugar onto the pan. This prevents your cake from sticking to the pan and also adds a ton of flavor to your cake. As the cake bakes, the sugar caramelizes and makes the cake crust very delicious.

When using this method, you have to turn the cake out of the pan as soon as it is done baking. The reason for this is that while hot, sugar is liquid and once cold, it crystallizes or solidifies. Sugaring also makes the cake crust shiny and beautiful. I do not recommend using this for intricate or very detailed baking pans.

Furthermore, I do not recommend this if your baked good will be in the oven for a very long time because the sugar could burn.

My cake has stuck to the pan, what should I do?

  • If your cake has stuck to the pan, put the pan in hot to warm water for a few minutes. Then, run a skewer or plastic knife around the pan to loosen the cake. Afterward flip the pan again.
  • Another method to retrieve the cake is to wrap the pan in a wet warm towel for some minutes. Then flip the pan.

So... my cake is still stuck to the pan

If your cake is still stuck the pan, you may have to scoop your cake out and make a trifle. The cake may not be whole but it will still be delicious.

If you have more tips for preventing your cake from sticking to the pan, please leave the tip in the comment section

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