How Do I Choose the Best Silicone Cake Pan?

A silicone cake pan is a type of flexible non-stick pan that bakes products with even heat distribution and make it easier to pop out the finished product without the cake sticking to the pan. These pans are safe for the oven, freezer, and dishwasher, which make for easy clean-up and storage. Selecting the best silicone cake pan depends upon the size and shape of cake needed, with potential options ranging from standard geometric shapes to finely-detailed miniature cakes. Benefits of silicone are balanced by special considerations that may need to be made during the baking process, such as adjusting the temperature or stabilizing the pan.

The largest silicone cake pans typically available for purchase are of a standard shape, such as rectangular, square, or round. Sheet cakes aren’t possible with a silicone cake pan, as the largest ones tend to have a length of about 8 inches (about 20.32 centimeters). These standard pans are best when multiple slices or elaborate frosting decorations are needed.

Individual servings can be created using silicone cake pans that contain six individual wells into which the batter can be poured. Standard shaped wells will be easiest to decorate and serve when the cakes are completed. The cakes can then be decorated like miniature versions of their larger counterparts.

A major advantage of a silicone cake pan is the fact that it is excellent at giving baked goods intricate detailing. Etchings in the pan create a mold effect that can form designs as simple as an autumn leaf or as complex as a blooming flower. These pans are available as single large cakes or in the more practical well form. The cakes will need to be turned out onto the serving plate upside down, as the bottom of the mold will become the top of the cake. You should take into consideration the occasion for which your cake will be made when choosing a specific silicone cake pan.

It may be necessary to use a silicone cake pan differently than a metal pan, as the flexible nature of the silicone can cause the pan to buckle in around the batter as it goes into the oven. The pan can be placed on a cookie sheet for stability. Users new to silicone pans should check what maximum temperature is allowed for the specific pan, watch the baking process carefully. You may want to bake at a slightly lower temperature to ensure that the products don't burn.