Do you like your cake so dense and rich, you can barely lift the fork? Or are you more into any cake recipe involving egg whites? If the answer is light and fluffy all the way, then you probably already own an angel food cake pan. This classic piece of bakeware is a kitchen heavyweight. Many have a removable bottom, making it easier to handle the delicate cake release of angel food or bundt cakes, cheesecakes, chiffon cakes, and coffee cakes.
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But if you're browsing Amazon for that satisfying next-day delivery of your first angel food cake pan or just a shiny new one, then keep reading. And they won't even hurt your credit card.
Many of the top cake pans have silicone coatings and are slightly non-stick to reduce the amount of extra butter, oil, or shortening you'll need to use. Many of these cake pans are aluminum which helps conduct the heat more evenly. I prefer to hand wash my bakeware but some of these are dishwasher safe for those days when you just can't handle anymore clean-up.
How do I use an angel food cake pan with a removable bottom?
Removable bottom pans allow you to remove the bottom after baking to release the cake inside easier. An angel food cake pan with a removable bottom is very similar to a springform pan in design and use. But the springform pan doesn't have a tube center. The springform is basically a round cake pan with a removable bottom.
A one-piece non-removable bottom pan is a little trickier when removing a delicate cake. Lightly tap a spatula all around the outside of the cake pan after cool and jiggle very slightly until your cake slides out.
Do I need to use an angel food cake pan?
Honestly? Yes. Yes, you do. Angel food cakes are mainly made of foamy beaten egg whites with some flour added into the cake recipe. The air pockets suspended in the egg whites expand when cooked, giving that heavenly lift (pun intended) to the perfect angel food cake. The tube cake pan design with the hollow tower core at the center ensures that the oven heat cooks the delicate cake batter inside at the same time as the outside.
Angel food cake pans also have straight sides to encourage a fluffy high rise. Angel food cake should be cooled upside down to prevent a sad, dare I say tragic, collapse of your cake. Many angel food cake pans have "legs" to make the upside side down cooling step easier.
Our picks for best angel food cake pans
1. Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial 2-Piece Angel Food Pan
Natural aluminum heavyweight bakeware is made of pure aluminum which will never rust. Aluminum conducts the oven heat evenly while the removable bottom keeps the most delicate cakes in one piece when removing. Amazon reviews love the simplicity of this pan and say it makes the best angel food cakes every time.
2. Chicago Metallic Professional 2-Piece 9.5-Inch Angel Food Cake Pan with Feet, 9.5" x 4", Black
Made of heavy-weight aluminized steel for even heating while baking, this angel food cake pan set has a silicone-based, non-stick coating for easy cleanup and cake release.
3. Calphalon Classic Bakeware 10-Inch Round Nonstick Angel Food Cake Pan
This non-stick angel food cake pan is made of heavyweight aluminized steel. Oven safe to 450 degrees but you'll be handwashing this reliable pan. It's not dishwasher safe but does come with a lifetime warranty. This style doesn't have a removable bottom but just invert the cake and gently tap with a spatula.
4. Wilton Advance - Select Nonstick 10-Inch Angel Food Pan in Gunmetal
Bakers trust the Wilton name for bakeware. Everything from stand mixers to mixing bowls. This angel food cake pan is no different. With DuraLast silicone infused nonstick and scratch-resistant coating, this pan makes a great shower gift.
