So you’re getting set to make a wonderful cake when you realize you’ve forgotten one essential ingredient: the cake pan. What should I do now? Are you completely out of options? No. You may utilize your handy baking sheet, make a Homemade aluminum foil cake pan, or come up with a new recipe, such as cake pops or cup cake.

Hi! I’m Shea, a self-taught baker on a mission to produce the most delicious recipes and share all of my baking secrets with YOU! Although I seldom find myself without a cake pan these days, there have been a few instances when I’ve had to be adaptable without one.

Interestingly, a cake pan is not required to effectively bake a cake. There are lots of other wonderful approaches to accomplish cake perfection, even if it involves changing the outcome in a hurry.

Here is how to bake a cake without using a cake pan.

How to Bake a Cake Without a Cake Pan: 7 Ways

Yep, you read that correctly: there are seven fantastic methods to bake a cake without using a cake pan. Remember how I said you weren’t completely out of luck? I wasn’t exaggerating. These are some of the more effective methods.

1. Baking Sheet

A baking sheet is the simplest method to bake a cake without a cake plate. Most individuals already have these sheets in their kitchen cabinets, making this a quick and easy switch. Just make sure it’s not completely flat. If the edges are not elevated, the batter will pour out.

When using a baking sheet, you may need to construct numerous layers since the cake will be longer and thinner than you like. That’s fine! Cake layering is simple. Just allow it to cool before cutting and layering. Between each layer, spread some frosting or another preferred filling. Yum!

2. DIY Aluminum Foil Cake Pan

Do you have an obsession with aluminum foil like I do? Then you most likely have some in your kitchen drawer. You can also use it to construct a homemade aluminum foil cake pan! The steps are straightforward (see the video if you like to be more visual!):

Step 1: Make a border. The beautiful thing about aluminum foil is that it allows you to be quite creative. It’s adaptable, so you can build a traditional round cake or creative forms like stars, hearts, and ovals, you name it!

Step 2: Remove the bottom. Just arrange your form on top of a piece of aluminum foil and cut it out, leaving enough space for it to attach to the sides.

Step 3: For more durability, add additional layers. You may want to put another layer or two on the bottom to prevent your cake batter from falling out or your Homemade cake pan from breaking in half.

Step 4: Arrange on a baking sheet. Even with more layers, you may be worried about stability. Remove the danger by placing your Homemade cake pan on top of a baking sheet or other strong, oven-safe device.

3. Use Another Pan

Do you have another pan on hand, such as a bundt cake pan or a pie dish? Use it! Certainly, your cake may have a little additional adornment and may be smaller or bigger than you like, but it is preferable than no cake at all. Let them to eat cake! Marie Antoinette was a French queen.

4. Make Cake Pops

Who doesn’t like cake pops? These adorable, bite-sized desserts are very portable, like teeny-tiny cake bombs with all the flavors of a full-sized piece. They’re also simple to produce and use the same components. You just need a stick!

To create cake pops, you must first prepare the real cake. Most recipes call for a cake pan, but it really doesn’t matter. You’ll be ruining the cake anyway to make little balls, so use whatever pan you have on hand.

5. Make Mug Cake

Mug cakes have become quite popular. They’re fast and simple to create, and you don’t even need to use your oven, which means you can bake a cake without heating up your whole kitchen, which is a great bonus, particularly during the scorching summer months.

To prepare the infamous mug cake, all you need are a few ingredients and a microwave-safe cup. Take in mind that this will only create 1-2 tiny servings. Hence, if you need to feed a big group, this may not be the ideal option.

6. Make Pull-aPart Cupcake Cake

Pull-apart cupcake cakes have become popular, particularly on crafting applications like Pinterest. They’re getting more popular, particularly among individuals who don’t want to deal with utensils and plates during a large gathering.

A pull-apart cake is ideal for individuals who do not have a cake pan, but a cupcake pan is required for success. Just spoon the cake mixture into a greased or prepared cupcake tray, bake, and let cool.

After that, arrange your cupcakes into the desired form. Spread icing evenly on the tops of the cupcakes, rather than individually. The top should resemble a single cake rather than a collection of cupcakes.

Let your visitors to peel a cupcake free from the cake illusion when you’re ready to serve. It’s quite easy, and it works flawlessly.

7. Use a Different Recipe

There are several methods to repurpose leftover cake batter. These culinary ideas, however, aren’t just for leftovers. If you have cake batter but no cake pan and don’t want to utilize any of the alternatives above, you may always use a new recipe completely.

Making cookies is the greatest solution, particularly if you’re attempting to serve a large audience during a large event. Just add another egg or two and two cups of vegetable oil. This will produce more cookie dough than cake batter. Bake in the usual manner!

FAQs

See? While a cake pan is not required, I suggest purchasing one for future use. To understand more about this subject, read these frequently asked questions!

Can you bake in a frying pan?

Yes, it is feasible to bake in a frying pan. Not all frying pans, however, are made equal, and not all are oven-safe. Thus, if you’re going to bake a cake in your frying pan, be sure it’s oven-safe and don’t go over the pan’s suggested temperature.

Can you bake a cake in a glass dish?

As long as the glass dish is oven-safe, you may bake in it securely and successfully. Check the temperature specifications for your glass dish again. When using a glass dish, always lower the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, your cake may get scorched.

What is equivalent to a 9-inch round cake pan?

An 8-inch square cake pan is the ideal substitute for a 9-inch circular cake pan.

Final Words

You can bake a cake without using a cake pan. My preferred method is to use a baking sheet, but I’ve also used other kinds of pans, such as bundt cakes. I’ve also lately liked creating pull-apart cupcake cakes and would definitely suggest trying it!

What happens when you don’t have a cake pan?