Best Pans To Bake Cakes In? Opinion Question
Decorating By Chaudy Updated 29 Nov 2013 , 11:34pm by cooksdream
Hello, I am new to cake decorating and new to this website/forums. I am learning basic cake decorating but quickly learning the skills. My question for you guys is this: In your opinion, what are some brands, or types of pans you find bake the best cakes for your creations? I know this can be loaded because you can use bundt, square, round, sheet...etc. I have two 9in round pans, one that was from the grocery store and is a dark non-stick and one that I found at good will that is a light no name brand. Both work great as long as I coat the pan with a greased layer covered with flour. I am looking to make multi layer cakes and I find that after I shave off the dome on both of my nine inch pans I have two layers that when split to make four, are pretty thin. I would like to expand my collection, I have one bundt pan as well, but looking to purchase maybe a few 8in pans, or even smaller for tiered cakes, and some square. What should I look for, and are there any brands people exclusively use?
Apologies if this is a repeated question but I ran a quick search on pans in the forums and couldn't find anything that answered this.
Thank you!
Amanda 
Magic Line definely. Since they are a tad expensive, space out your purchases as you need them. Also, do NOT toss them in the dishwasher. They get funky looking if you do. Take good care of them and they will never need replacing. ( Use parchment paper in the bottom of your pans and just use baking spray on the sides.)
I have Fat Daddio's 2in deep and 3in deep pans in all different sizes and shapes. I haven't had a problem with them and love how my cakes turn out. I have 1 magic line round that I bought and I think it works just the same as my fat daddio pans.
I find that after I shave off the dome on both of my nine inch pans I have two layers that when split to make four, are pretty thin.
Regardless of the pans, you NEED to buy the "magic cake strips" and use them every time. They prevent these humps.
The small pack does 2 x 9" rounds. The larger pack of 4 has different lengths that are good for sheet cakes and larger cakes. DO NOT wash these in the washing machine, just re-soak and re-use (they come out of the oven dry enough to store).
I have both Magic Line & Fat Daddio. Love both!!
Be sure to purchase the anodized pans. They won't turn icky if you use the dishwasher!
I have never tried Magic line, but they seem to be a big favourite. I use Fat Daddio's and love them, I've never had an issue and they were reasonably priced.
I get whatever has the right dimensions, and looks like it's going to be easy to keep clean.
And I avoid nonstick coatings unless it's a Bundt mold.
I use magic line also I love the crisp corners on their square pans. I wanted to add I also have bought some Fat Daddio and liked those too. Whatever you pay good money for lasts the best in baking I think , you get what you pay for and you will have these pans literally forever. I don't regret buying good bakeware at all.
I wanted to comment about the baking strips someone mentioned, I used to use those but found if I baked my cakes at 340 a little longer I hardly get a hump and if I get a small one as soon as the cakes come from the oven I take a towel and press them flat. No more need to fit the liners on the outside.
Magic Line or Fat Daddio. They both work well. Stay away from the Wilton pans. They are thinner and just a tad better than the ones from the dollar store.
I'm a hobby baker and purchased a lot of stuff before I "knew better". However, I am happy with my Wilton Performance Plus Round pans, as well as the Wilton sets: Hexagon, Petal, and Heart. I purchased 2 sets of each with 50% off coupons from Michaels or Joann's and was able to spend far less.
All of my square and rectangular pans are Fat Daddios. They work very well. (Never, ever, buy any of the Wilton square or rectangular pans. Most of them have angled sides instead of straight sides.)
I LOVE my Bake Even Strips and my metal flower nails. Here's a thread with lots of photos if you wish to see how they are used:
"Bake Even Strips and Flower Nail on larger cakes --Photo tutorial"
http://www.wilton.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=8&threadid=148262&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=
AWilliams Sonoma Goldtouch. No strips or anything needed at all. Flattest cakes ever, no darker sides on the cake, even baking. They're expensive, though.
I love my majic lines. I have round, square and sheet. I love the corners. My FD's are good heavy pans, but they are rounded in the corners and I don't like that. I do line the bottom of my pans regardless just because I like the results better than just coating them with some type of release. As far as the strips go, I have used them, but found if I took old towels and cut them into strips, I have good results with that too. I like the way it keeps the sides from getting over done before the middle, not just the doming. I also use nails in the middle of all but 6". That combo has proven good for me.
Hi everyone, Just wanted to let you all know that I have found this thread VERY helpful. Thanks for all the good advise and opinions on the different brands.
AYes this thread is super helpful but I don't get why they say they're expensive unless I'm looking at the wrong ones, I'd say they are priced almost same as Wilton ones if you buy them by the set. Anyone think I might b looking at wrong ones. http://www.globalsugarart.com/magic-line-pans-round-cake-pans-c-1103_1105.html?page=2
Thanks!!
AJust to clarify, those are not anodized. You won't be able to our them in any dishwasher.
I purchased my fat daddios from ultimate baker. I got the nice 20% discount because I purchased $200 (10% for $100). I also got the ones with the removable bottoms. Makes life very very easy!
Magic Line all the way. I cant wait untill I can aford to get rid of my wilton 10 inch and get Magic Line to replace them.
It depends on the cake you are baking. The first priority is not the brand so much as ensuring you get the right pan for the job. Fat Daddio's and Magic Line are great choices.
Many people are also concerned about whether their pans are anodized. Check out this article for more details on <a href="http://www.cooksdream.com/store/category/fat-daddios.html">cake pan anodization.</a>
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