Best Overall
Nordic Ware Angel Food Cake Pan
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Angel food cake is a fancy, delicious dessert sure to impress guests and foodies alike. But prep time can be difficult if you don't have a quality angel food cake pan. Luckily for you, we tested the most popular items on the market to bring you this carefully curated list of the best angel food cake pans of 2024. The Nordic Ware Angel Food Cake Pan is definitely our top pick, but the other items might impress you! In our detailed buyer’s guide, we analyze all of the factors you need to consider when choosing your perfect angel food cake pan. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to test your baking skills with these top-tier angel food cake pans.
Angel Food Cake Pan: A Buyer’s Guide
Special cakes require special equipment, like cheesecake pans and round cake pans. Angel food cake is no exception, Angel food cake is airy, delicious, and easy to make in the comfort of your own home — with the right pan, of course. In our detailed buyer’s guide, we dive into the many factors to consider when choosing an angel food cake pan, such as the material, cake shape, and ideal size. Take a look to discover the pan that will work best for making decadent and yummy angel food cake.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Angel Food Cake Pan
Size
First, keep in mind that angel food cake is a fluffy cake that rises to twice its size. Therefore, when you bake an angel food cake, you should use a large enough pan to accommodate this rise. We recommend only filling your batter up to the halfway mark on your pan. However, a recipe will usually tell you what size pan is ideal. Generally, a standard 9 or 10-inch cake pan should work for most recipes. If you plan to make angel food cake regularly, one suggestion is to buy a variety of sized pans so you can make different sizes for your family and guests.
Material
Cake pans come in aluminum, silicone, stainless steel, and glass, and some feature a non-stick surface or coating. Additionally, baking on oven-safe paper is also an option. The material you choose depends on your personal preferences, cleaning habits, time, and the results you hope to achieve.
Storage
Does your baking cabinet have enough space to accommodate a new angel food cake pan? Improperly caring for your bakeware will not only reduce its life but will also impact the quality of your baked goods. Therefore, we recommend choosing a cake pan that can be stored with your other baking essentials. Additionally, if you have a small, compact oven, be sure to buy a small enough cake pan to fit within it; always check the size of your oven before making your purchase.
Cleaning
Some angel food cake pans are dishwasher safe, while others must be cleaned by hand. Only use the dishwasher if your manufacturer’s label says so. Improper washing techniques may damage the surface and material of your bakeware.
Common Materials Used in Angel Food Cake Pans
Aluminum
Considered one of the highest quality materials for baking, aluminum bakeware is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It is an excellent conductor of heat and evenly hits food every time. When purchasing an aluminum angel food cake pan, always purchase a top-tier, thick aluminum pan; lower-end, cheaper aluminum pans can deform or warp at high temperatures. Also, its high shine may not brown your baked goods to a professional golden shade.
Aluminized steel
Aluminized steel cake pans are coated with an aluminum-silicon alloy, which makes the material incredibly resistant to wear and tear (such as rusting). These types of pans are commonly used for baking cakes and pies, thanks to their high-temperature tolerance. Plus, they are non-reactive so you can rest assured that your food won’t take on any metallic taste. Although these pans are a bit more expensive than standard aluminum, their thick body won’t bend, break, or warp when baking.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is one of the most durable and steadfast materials. With a high heat tolerance, this material is durable, sturdy, and long-lasting. While it may be a poor conductor of heat, it makes up for it in appearance; its shiny attractive metallic glow looks great on display. This material is ideal for baking cookies and pies.
Silicone
Known for their non-stick properties, silicone baking pans do not require greasing or baking paper. These pans come in a variety of festive colors, sizes, and shapes and are an excellent choice for making all kinds of baked goods. Plus, they’re often dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze. The only downside is that these pans are poor conductors of heat and may require you to increase your baking time.
Glass and ceramic
If you want to serve your baked goods in the material that you baked them in, glass and ceramic pans are a great option. We recommend opting for thicker and oven-friendly styles to prevent breakage. Glass bakeware is not preferred in professional kitchens because it might be hard to release cakes after baking to cool. Additionally, glass is a poor conductor of heat and usually takes longer to heat up, increasing the baking time.
Types of Angel Food Cake Pans
Bundt
Similar to tube pans, bundt cake pans are circular with an opening in the center. Tube pans, on the other hand, feature a tube going down the center (rather than an empty hole). However, both pans result in a similar traditional angel food cake shape. These pans are often made from metal and come in a variety of sizes and capacities. They give your cake that delicate, soft, and spongy texture that defines angel food cake.
Springform
Springform cake pans feature a removable base with a lock on the side. Designed to help you release the cake by unlocking the side, these cake pans are ideal for even, effortless cooling. Keep in mind that you’ll want to choose a springform pan made from a thick material to prevent it from bending or warping. Also, you may need to cover the pan to prevent the batter from leaking out.
Loose base
Loose base pans are similar to a springform pan but are less prone to leaking. The main feature of these pans is that the base can be easily removed, which allows you to easily release the cake after baking. These bake pans are often used in professional bakeries due to how easy and effortless they are to use.
Ring
Also called tube cake pans, ring cake pans come with a hollow middle like a bundt cake pan. We recommend greasing ring pans properly to ensure that the cake comes out easily. A plus to using a ring pan is that they often give your cakes a perfect golden crust.
Choosing the Right Sized Angel Food Cake Pan
There are many sizes of angel food cake pans available on the market. However, we recommend choosing a cake pan that exactly matches your recipe or batter size. This will ensure even cooking. Keep in mind that 1 cup of batter is equal to 8 ounces.
Round cake pans
- A 6 x 2-inch cake pan can hold 4 cups or 32 ounces of batter
- An 8 x 2-inch cake pan can hold 6 cups or 47 ounces of batter
- A 9 x 2-inch cake pan can hold 8 cups or 64 ounces of batter
Bundt cake pan
- A 10 x 3-inch cake pan can hold up to 12 cups or 94 ounces of batter
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Nordic Ware Angel Food Cake Pan
- Best Design: Chicago Metallic Professional Angel Food Cake Pan
- Best Loose Bottom: Chefmade Angel Food Cake Pan
- Best Aluminum: Fat Daddio’S Angel Food Cake Pan
- Most Durable: Wilton Angel Food Cake Pan
Reviews
Best Design
Chicago Metallic Professional Angel Food Cake Pan
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Best Loose Bottom
Chefmade Angel Food Cake Pan
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Best Aluminum
Fat Daddio’S Angel Food Cake Pan
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Most Durable
Wilton Angel Food Cake Pan
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FAQs
How long should the angel food cake cool for before I release it?
After baking for 35 to 40 minutes, we recommend taking the cake out of the oven immediately and letting it cool for 35 minutes before releasing the cake.
Do I need to grease a non-stick angel food cake pan?
Although it’s not necessary, some bakers prefer to lightly grease their non-stick pan to avoid the cake from sticking.
Do I need to use a bundt angel food cake pan?
Traditionally, angel food cake is made in a bundt cake pan to achieve its circular shape. However, you can bake your angel food cake in whatever shaped pan you like.