Cake Baking Pans Question

by Carolyn
(U.S.)

Question: I have a question about wedding cake baking pans. What size pans do I need to make a cake for 150 people?

Answer: Hi Carolyn,
For 150 people I use the 14 inch 10 inch and 6 inch and an 8 or 10 inch cake on the side as a back up. Technically the 14 - 10 -6 feeds 125 but I have seen it feed 150, depends on the cake and how the caterer cuts it. I like the look and the manageability of that size cake, But you could make it a four tiers using 14-10-8-6 (4 instead of a 6 for the top would look better proportionately)

Comments

Another question about baking pans
by: Carolyn

Do I need to use a heating core for a 14 or 12 inch pans? And also, do you use cake mixes or make your cakes from scratch?


No and yes
by: Lorelie

Hi Carolyn,

You don't need to use a heating core. I have never used one in all of my 26 years baking. And yes I do make all of my cakes from scratch. The exception is when I worked in a banquet hall years ago. For the white cake they liked me to use a mix. Which was actually pretty good.(fluffier than my scratch cake)

I am not opposed to using a mix if necessary especially when you have a lot of wedding cakes in one weekend and you are going solo. You can make up for it with a really awesome filling and a great wedding cake frosting.

Since I take a limited amount of orders at this point in my career, I always do scratch cakes.


Double decker tiers???
by: Anonymous

For each of these tiers, do you make each layer double deckers? That is two stacked cakes of the same size with filling between the layers, or would you bake only one pan of each size?
Thank you,
Jeani

Yes Double Decker
by: Lorelie

Hi Jeani,

Yes each cake is a two layer cake (double decker)with a filling. You can do three or four layers by splitting the cakes and making thinner cake layers etc. But I find it to be risky with a wedding cake.

Happy Baking and Cake Decorating :)

Preparing Cake Pans With Parchment Paper

by Traci
(Poughkeepsie NY)

Morning Lorelie,
Can you explain the process of "lining your cake pans with parchment paper". I usually grease and flour my pans but I often see bakers peeling parchment off the bottoms of their layers after baking. What about the sides of the pans. Can I use a non stick spray for the sides and line the bottoms, and do I spray the bottom before placing the paper so it will stay? Any help would be great.

Traci

Hi Traci, here is a video that I made that shows how I prepare the pans. I use Crisco but you can use a spray if you prefer it. You can also use waxed paper instead of parchment paper.

First you grease the pans on the bottom and sides, then you dust them with flour and finally put the parchment on the bottom only. Its an extra precaution to make sure that your cakes come out clean and easy. If I for some reason do not have waxed or parchment paper in stock I will grease them extra well and flour them only. But I feel more secure knowing the paper is there for good measure. Hope that helps.

Comments

Perfect
by: Traci
Lorelie,
Perfect. Clearly explained, loved the video. Thanks for answering my question so quickly.
Your welcome Traci ~Lorelie~

So helpful!
by: Amanda F
Lorelie, great video and very helpful. I love your site and use it as a reference for all of my baking needs. :)

Thanks
by: Lorelie
Thank you Amanda! I am so glad that you find the site helpful :-) Happy Baking and Cake Decorating

Wilton Cake Pans

by Tonya
(Athens, GA)

Question:I recently purchased the Gold Wilton cake pans (8 in) and was pleased with the fact my cake was even across the top, but was VERY disappointed with the sides of the cake (they were angled) and made me unhappy with the stacking of my cake! What brand cake pans do you use/suggest?

Answer: Hi Tonya, I prefer Wilton cake pans, but have not tried the gold ones yet. I recommend the Wilton Decorative Preferred 8 by 3-Inch Round Bakeware
They have straight sides, which would solve your problem. But having said that the cakes don't always come out perfect no matter what pan you use. I sometimes have to do some trimming, which you can do with your cakes if the sides are not perfectly straight. Just get the cakes cold first beforehand and use a very sharp knife.

You can also use the 2 inch high Wilton Cake Pans. I use them both.

Hope this helps.

Pans

by Karine
(Canada)

Hi Lorelie! I found on your site the tips for the amount of batter that I need for my pan but it's pans of 2'' deep. And I have bought 3'' deep. What is the difference? Can you help me for the conversion and can you tell if the 2'' is better than 3'' ?

Thank you!

Hi Karine, I do prefer the 2 inch pans because the cakes will bake up nicer. The deeper pans tend to get overfilled and end up over baking in some cases.

Having said that I do have some 3 inch deep pans which I bought years ago thinking I could save time by baking the layers thicker, but they do not bake up as well and tend to get over baked.

Fill them the same as you would a 2 inch pan or slightly more if you want to experiment with it a little.

Or better yet, take them back and get the 2 inchers if you can.

Comments

Yes
by: Lorelie

Yes you will need to bake two 2 inch layers and then put them together with a filling to make one 2 layered cake.


Re: Pans
by: Karine

Hi! Oh! Ok I understand now! :)
Ok so I'll fill it as if it was a 2''deep. I'll put the batter in 1 / 3 pan instead of putting a half. The next mold I'll buy 2''. Because I saw a model of cake on the Wilton guides and I had to make a''6X3, 10X4 and 14x4''.''So I guess I should cook the layers 2 times?

Jul 25, 2012

Do over????
by: Raine

I am working on a wedding using borrowed 3" pans. I baked a 14" round cake. Because it took so long to bake, the sides were darker than I would have liked. I trimmed the sides and top. It smells great and I cut a small slice to check it out. It's a medium yellow cake. I made it with egg whites. Should I bake another one? Raine

Jul 26, 2012


Do Over?
by: Lorelie

Hi Raine, As long as you are satisfied with the taste and texture and you didn't have to take too much off around the edges then I would not make more.

3D Shape cake

I am making a sponge cake with a 3D car shaped cake tin.

What is the best recipe and also what temperature and length of time do I cook it for as it is an uneven shaped tin.

I will be using fondant icing to cover it, so would a Victoria or Madeira cake recipe be better?

Thanks
Mandy

Hi Mandy, Thanks for visiting and asking a great question.

I think a Madeira cake would be perfect but don't limit yourself to just that cake recipe. All of the wedding cake recipes on this site would lend themselves to a 3D shape cake. As long as you get the cake chilled before decorating.

For the baking process, bake at 325 -350 depending on your oven. Just check it after the first 25 minutes or so, and every 5 minutes after that. When the center springs back it is done. Let it cool completely before removing it from the pan.
Make sure you grease the 3D shape cake pan very well with a good coating of Crisco and then a dusting of flour to make sure the cake does not stick.

cake tins and a recipe for a standard birthday cake

HELP!

I have been baking for a long time now but just recently have been asked to make them for birthdays. I am thinking of trying to earn a living from it. My question is what size cake tins should I invest in? I also need a standard birthday cake recipe that I can use for all?

Hi, The most common sizes that people order, at least from me are 6 inch round, 8 inch round and 10 inch rounds. A 12 inch and a 1/2 sheet pan would be good to have too.

I have some really good and reliable recipes on this site that I have been using or years.

The three most popular standard cakes are...

The chocolate cake recipe is my all time favorite and can be made with a variety of fillings and frostings.

The white cake recipe can be varied by replacing the milk in the recipe with orange juice and zest to make a wonderful buttery orange cake.

The carrot cake recipe is so good that even people who don't like carrot cake like this one.

Good luck with your new cake baking and decorating business. If you have questions about the business please go this page