You might think that pound cake pans are just ordinary baking tools, but they are actually much more than that. Pound cake pans are the key to creating moist, tender and delicious cakes that can be enjoyed for any occasion. Whether you want to make a classic pound cake, a lemon-glazed one, or a chocolate-chip variation, you need the right pan to achieve the best results.
In this blog post, we will show you how to choose the best pound cake pan for your needs, how to use it properly, and how to care for it so that it lasts for years. If you love baking and eating pound cakes, you won’t want to miss this!
Top Recommendations for the Pound Cake Pans
In this post, we will discuss the different types of pound cake pans, how to choose the right one, tips for using the pan, and care and maintenance of the pan.
1. Nordic Ware Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The Nordic Ware Pound Cake Pan is a large-capacity baking dish that is perfect for creating beautifully baked pound cakes, as well as light and fluffy angel food and sponge cakes. Made of durable cast aluminum, this pan distributes heat quickly and evenly, resulting in perfect baked goods every time. With a premium nonstick coated interior, it allows for quick and easy release of your cakes while ensuring effortless cleanup. This pan is made in the USA and is hand wash recommended.
Features:
- Large 18-cup capacity for baking large cakes
- Durable cast aluminum construction for even heat distribution
- Premium nonstick coated interior for easy release and cleaning
- Suitable for baking pound, angel food, and sponge cakes
- Made in the USA
Benefits:
- Large capacity allows for baking large cakes to feed a crowd
- Cast aluminum construction ensures even heat distribution, resulting in perfectly baked cakes every time
- Premium nonstick coating ensures effortless release and easy cleaning
- Versatile design allows for baking various types of cakes
- Made in the USA for high quality and craftsmanship assurance.
2. Nordic Ware Pro Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The Nordic Ware Pro Pound Cake Pan is a high-quality baking dish designed for making perfect pound cakes. This pan is made from cast aluminum, which ensures even heating for consistent and excellent results. It features a PFOA-free nonstick coating, making release and cleanup a breeze. The 12 cup capacity is perfect for baking larger cakes, and the pan is made in the USA.
Features:
Cast aluminum construction: This pound cake pan is made from high-quality cast aluminum, which ensures even heating for consistent results. This material is durable and long-lasting, making it an excellent investment for any home baker.
12 cup capacity: The Nordic Ware Pro Pound Cake Pan has a 12 cup capacity, making it perfect for baking larger pound cakes or batches of mini cakes.
PFOA-free nonstick coating: The nonstick coating on this pan is PFOA-free, ensuring that no harmful chemicals are released during baking. It makes release and cleanup effortless, and the cake comes out easily without sticking to the pan.
Easy care: The Nordic Ware Pro Pound Cake Pan is easy to care for. Before initial use and after subsequent uses, hand wash with warm, soapy water. Extended soaking is not recommended.
Benefits:
Superior baking performance: The cast aluminum construction of this pound cake pan ensures even heating for superior baking performance. This means that the cake will cook evenly and thoroughly, resulting in perfect cakes every time.
Easy release and cleanup: The nonstick coating on this pan makes release and cleanup effortless. This means that you won’t have to spend a lot of time scrubbing the pan or worrying about your cake sticking to the bottom.
Durable and long-lasting: The cast aluminum construction of this pound cake pan makes it durable and long-lasting. It will stand up to years of use, making it an excellent investment for any home baker.
Made in the USA: The Nordic Ware Pro Pound Cake Pan is made in the USA, ensuring that you are getting a high-quality product that is made with care and attention to detail.
3. Fox Run Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The Fox Run Pound Cake Pan is a versatile baking tool that can be used to make perfect angel food cakes, gelatin, ice, and more. It is made of lightweight aluminum and has a convenient drop-out bottom for easy removal, a center tube for uniform rising, and three feet for cooling. With dimensions of 10.75 x 10.75 x 5.5 inches and weighing 9.6 ounces, this pound cake pan is an essential addition to any baker’s kitchen.
Features:
- Convenient drop-out bottom for easy removal
- Center tube for uniform rising
- Lightweight aluminum construction
- Three feet for cooling
- Can be used for a variety of desserts
Benefits:
- Creates perfect angel food cakes every time
- Durable and long-lasting
- Safe for use on countertops
- Versatile and can be used for a variety of desserts
- Easy to clean by hand with soap and water
- Saves time and effort in the kitchen with uniform rising and easy removal
Overall, the Fox Run Pound Cake Pan is a must-have for any baker looking to create perfect angel food cakes or other desserts. Its durable construction, convenient features, and easy-to-clean design make it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
4. Nordic Ware Gold Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The Nordic Ware Gold Pound Cake Pan is a high-quality baking pan designed specifically for making pound cakes. This pan boasts a new and bold shape that is sure to impress, while also providing superior performance and durability.
Features:
- Radiant new shape: The Nordic Ware Gold Pound Cake Pan features a bold and radiant new shape that adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen.
- Cast aluminum construction: Made from cast aluminum, this pound cake pan provides superior heat conductivity and durability.
- Oven safe to 400 degrees: This pan can withstand temperatures of up to 400 degrees, making it suitable for use in most standard ovens.
- 10-cup capacity: With a 10-cup capacity, this pan is perfect for making large, family-sized pound cakes.
Benefits:
- Elegant design: The Nordic Ware Gold Pound Cake Pan’s bold and radiant new shape adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen, making it perfect for entertaining guests.
- Superior performance: Made from cast aluminum, this pan provides superior heat conductivity, allowing for even baking and consistent results.
- Durable construction: The cast aluminum construction of this pan ensures long-lasting durability, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
- Versatile use: With a 10-cup capacity and oven safe to 400 degrees, this pan can be used to make a wide variety of pound cakes and other baked goods.
- Family-sized portions: The 10-cup capacity of this pan allows for larger, family-sized pound cakes, perfect for sharing with loved ones.
5. Nordic Ware Bavaria Graphite Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The Nordic Ware Bavaria Graphite Pound Cake Pan is a beautiful and functional baking pan designed for making pound cakes with exquisite geometric patterns. Made in the USA from high-quality cast-aluminum, this pan offers excellent heat conductivity and is equipped with a nonstick coating for easy release and cleanup.
Features:
- Crisp, clean geometric patterns decorate the bundt pan, making it a beautiful addition to any table
- Made from cast-aluminum, providing sharp detail on every cake baked
- Excellent heat conductivity for even baking and browning
- Interior nonstick coating for easy release and cleanup
- Modern pleats create an exquisitely detailed cake
- 10-cup capacity, perfect for baking a large pound cake
Benefits:
- Beautiful design creates an eye-catching centerpiece for any occasion
- Cast-aluminum material allows for sharp, intricate details on each cake
- Even heat distribution ensures that cakes are baked to perfection every time
- Nonstick coating makes for easy release and effortless cleanup
- Large 10-cup capacity allows for baking of large pound cakes
- Made in the USA, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and materials
Overall, the Nordic Ware Bavaria Graphite Pound Cake Pan is a versatile and stylish addition to any baker’s collection. With its modern pleats, sharp details, and superior baking performance, this pan is perfect for baking beautiful and delicious pound cakes.
6. Nordic Ware Platinum Heritage Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The Nordic Ware Platinum Heritage Pound Cake Pan is a high-quality baking pan made of durable cast aluminum. It is designed to help achieve crisp and intricate cake detail, while ensuring even browning and a non-stick surface for easy release and cleanup. This American-made pan has a 10-inch diameter and a capacity of 10 cups, making it perfect for baking delicious pound cakes.
Features:
- Made of durable cast aluminum
- Superior heat conductivity ensures even browning
- Premium silicone non-stick surface is free of PFAS and PTFE
- Pan exterior is 10 inches in diameter and 3.6 inches in height
- Capacity of 10 cups
Benefits:
- Achieve crisp and intricate cake detail
- Ensure even browning for perfect pound cakes every time
- Non-stick surface for easy release and cleanup
- Safe and healthy baking with a non-toxic silicone coating
- American-made and built to last, providing a lifetime of use in your home kitchen
- Large capacity allows for baking a variety of pound cake recipes
7. NutriChef Round Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The NutriChef Round Pound Cake Pan is a versatile and durable non-stick cake pan that makes baking the perfect cake a breeze. The unique and beautiful pan design is perfect for special occasions and enhances the quality and appearance of your cake. Made from heavy cast aluminum material, this cake pan ensures uniform baking and browning of your cake. With an extra-thick two-layer non-stick coating that is also heat-resistant, this cake pan is ideal for achieving perfection for your cakes while ensuring longer usage. It is also oven safe and PFOA free, making it a safe and convenient choice for any baker.
Features:
- Non-stick pan for easy release of cakes
- Beautiful pan bloom design perfect for special occasions
- Heavy cast aluminum material ensures uniform baking and browning
- Extra-thick two-layer non-stick coating is heat-resistant and ideal for achieving perfect cakes
- Oven safe and PFOA free
- Easy to use and maintain
Benefits:
- Versatile and durable pan makes baking the perfect cake easy
- Unique and beautiful design enhances the quality and appearance of your cake
- Uniform baking and browning ensures a perfect cake every time
- Extra-thick non-stick coating ensures longer usage and perfect cakes
- Oven safe and PFOA free for a safe and convenient baking experience
- Easy to use and maintain, with easy cake release and convenient cleaning.
8. Wilton 2-Piece Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The Wilton 2-Piece Pound Cake Pan set is a must-have for bakers looking to create delicious and perfectly shaped pound cakes. These cake pans are designed with convenience, durability, and easy cleanup in mind, making them perfect for both experienced and novice bakers alike.
Features:
- Non-stick coating: The premium non-stick coating ensures that your cakes will slide out easily and cleanup will be effortless.
- Permanently stamped dimensions: The dimensions of the pans are permanently stamped into the handles, making it easy to measure your ingredients and ensure that your cakes are the right size.
- 2-piece set: This set includes two cake pans, so you can make more than one pound cake at a time.
- Dishwasher safe: These pans are dishwasher safe, but can also be easily cleaned with warm, soapy water.
- Limited 5-year warranty: The Wilton 2-Piece Pound Cake Pan set comes with a limited 5-year warranty, giving you peace of mind with your purchase.
Benefits:
- Convenient: The Wilton 2-Piece Pound Cake Pan set is designed with convenience in mind. The non-stick coating and stamped dimensions make baking and cleanup a breeze.
- Durable: These cake pans are made with premium materials, ensuring that they will last for years to come.
- Versatile: These cake pans can be used to make a variety of baked goods, including pound cakes, breads, and more.
- Perfect results: The non-stick coating and perfect dimensions ensure that your cakes will come out perfectly every time.
- Easy cleanup: The non-stick coating makes cleanup a breeze, so you can spend more time enjoying your delicious pound cakes and less time cleaning up after baking.
9. Nordic Ware 80577 Square Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The Nordic Ware 80577 Square Pound Cake Pan is a high-quality baking pan designed for making perfectly-shaped square pound cakes. Made from cast aluminum, this pan is durable and oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a 10-cup capacity, which allows you to make large pound cakes for special occasions or events.
Features:
- Made from cast aluminum for durability and even heat distribution
- Square shape for a unique and stylish look to your pound cakes
- Angled sides for easy slicing into equal portions
- Oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for versatile baking options
- 10-cup capacity for baking large pound cakes
- Non-stick coating for easy release and quick cleanup
Benefits:
- Durable construction ensures long-lasting use
- Even heat distribution ensures that your pound cake is evenly baked throughout
- Square shape adds a unique twist to traditional pound cakes
- Angled sides make it easy to slice your pound cake into equal portions
- Oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, giving you versatility in your baking options
- Large 10-cup capacity allows you to make big pound cakes for special occasions or events
- Non-stick coating makes for easy release and quick cleanup, saving you time and effort.
10. USA Pan Rectangular 1 Pound Cake Pan
Overview: The USA Pan Rectangular 1 Pound Cake Pan is a high-quality commercial gauge folded loaf pan designed for baking quick breads, yeast breads, pound cakes, and meat loafs. Its unique corrugated surface design strengthens the pan and facilitates air circulation for evenly baked goods and quick release. The pan is finished with a proprietary silicone non-stick coating that allows for easy release and quick clean up. It is also PTFE, PFOA, and BPA free, ensuring that your baked goods are safe for consumption. The folded construction of the pan ensures optimal strength and durability, making it a great investment for all your baking needs. Additionally, USA Pan is a family-owned company that has been manufacturing high-quality bakeware and creating jobs in the USA for over 60 years.
Features:
- Commercial gauge folded loaf pan
- Corrugated surface design for even baking and quick release
- Proprietary silicone non-stick coating for easy release and quick clean up
- PTFE, PFOA, and BPA free
- Folded construction for optimal strength and durability
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.75 inches
Benefits:
- Versatile pan for baking various types of bread and pound cakes
- Unique corrugated surface design ensures even baking and quick release
- Non-stick coating makes it easy to release baked goods and clean up afterwards
- PTFE, PFOA, and BPA free for safe baking
- Folded construction ensures optimal strength and durability, making it a great investment for long-term use
- USA-made and family-owned company that has been providing quality bakeware and creating jobs for over 60 years.
Types of Pound Cake Pans
There are several types of pound cake pans available on the market, each with their own unique features and advantages. Here are some of the most common types:
Traditional Loaf Pan: This is the most commonly used pound cake pan. It is rectangular in shape and has straight sides, making it easy to slice the pound cake into even slices.
Bundt Pan: Bundt pans have a distinctive ring shape with a central tube, making them perfect for making bundt cakes. They come in various sizes and designs, from classic fluted to intricate shapes, giving your pound cake an elegant and decorative look.
Tube Pan: Tube pans are similar to bundt pans but have a flat bottom and a straight tube in the center. They are ideal for making pound cakes that are light and airy, as the center tube helps the cake to bake evenly.
Mini Loaf Pan: Mini loaf pans are perfect for making individual-sized pound cakes, which are great for sharing or for portion control. They come in various shapes and sizes and are perfect for gifting.
Non-stick vs. Aluminum vs. Cast Iron: Pound cake pans can also be made of different materials, such as non-stick, aluminum, or cast iron. Non-stick pans are easy to clean and release the cake effortlessly. Aluminum pans are lightweight and conduct heat well, making them ideal for even baking. Cast iron pans are extremely durable and retain heat well, producing a perfectly browned and crispy crust on the pound cake.
Choosing the Right Pound Cake Pan
Choosing the right pound cake pan is important to ensure that your pound cake comes out perfectly every time. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a pound cake pan:
Type of Pound Cake: Consider the type of pound cake you want to bake, as different types of pound cake pans are better suited for different types of cakes. For example, bundt pans are great for decorative cakes, while traditional loaf pans are perfect for classic pound cakes.
Size: Choose a pan that is the right size for your recipe. Most pound cake recipes call for a 9 x 5 inch pan, but some recipes may require a different size.
Material: Consider the material of the pan. Non-stick pans are easy to clean and release the cake effortlessly, while aluminum pans conduct heat well, resulting in even baking. Cast iron pans are extremely durable and retain heat well, producing a perfectly browned and crispy crust on the pound cake.
Coating: Look for a pan with a good quality non-stick coating to ensure that your pound cake releases easily from the pan without sticking. A good non-stick coating will also make cleaning up easier.
Shape and Design: Consider the shape and design of the pan. Some pans have intricate designs that can give your pound cake an elegant and decorative look, while others have a more classic look. Choose a pan that suits your personal preference and the occasion.
Brand and Quality: Look for a well-known brand with a good reputation for producing high-quality pound cake pans. Quality pans will last longer and produce better results than lower-quality pans.
By considering these factors, you can choose the right pound cake pan for your needs and ensure that your pound cake comes out perfectly every time.
Tips for Using Pound Cake Pans
Using a pound cake pan properly can ensure that your pound cake turns out perfectly every time. Here are some tips for using pound cake pans:
Prepare the Pan: Before using your pound cake pan, make sure to grease it well with butter or cooking spray. This will prevent the cake from sticking to the pan and ensure that it releases easily.
Flour the Pan: After greasing the pan, dust it with flour. This will create a non-stick layer that will help the cake release from the pan easily.
Don’t Overfill the Pan: Make sure not to overfill the pan, as this can cause the cake to overflow and result in uneven baking. Fill the pan no more than two-thirds full.
Even Out the Batter: Make sure to spread the cake batter evenly in the pan. Use a spatula to smooth out any bumps or ridges to ensure that the cake bakes evenly.
Check the Temperature: Make sure to preheat the oven to the temperature specified in your recipe. This will ensure that the cake bakes evenly and doesn’t dry out or become overcooked.
Use a Timer: Set a timer for the recommended baking time specified in your recipe. Check the cake periodically to ensure that it is not overbaked.
Cool the Cake: After baking, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before removing it from the pan. This will help the cake to release more easily and prevent it from breaking apart.
By following these tips, you can use your pound cake pan properly and produce a delicious and perfectly baked pound cake every time.
Care and Maintenance of Pound Cake Pans
Proper care and maintenance of your pound cake pan can help extend its lifespan and ensure that your pound cakes always come out perfectly. Here are some tips for caring for and maintaining your pound cake pan:
Clean the Pan: After each use, clean your pound cake pan with hot water, mild soap, and a gentle scrub brush or sponge. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or steel wool, as this can scratch the surface of the pan.
Avoid Dishwashers: Avoid putting your pound cake pan in the dishwasher, as the high heat and harsh detergents can damage the non-stick coating.
Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, dry your pound cake pan thoroughly with a soft cloth or paper towel. Do not air dry, as this can cause water spots or rust to form.
Store Properly: Store your pound cake pan in a dry and cool place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Do not stack other pans or heavy objects on top of it, as this can warp or deform the pan.
Avoid Metal Utensils: Avoid using metal utensils or knives on the surface of the pan, as this can scratch or damage the non-stick coating. Instead, use silicone, nylon, or wooden utensils.
Re-season the Pan: Over time, the non-stick coating on your pound cake pan may wear off. To re-season the pan, rub a thin layer of vegetable oil on the surface and bake it in the oven at a low temperature for 30 minutes. This will help restore the non-stick surface of the pan.
By following these tips, you can care for and maintain your pound cake pan properly, ensuring that it lasts for many years and produces delicious and perfectly baked pound cakes.
FAQs
Yes, pound cake pans can be used for a variety of baked goods, including quick breads, yeast breads, meatloaf, and more.
The best way to prevent your pound cake from sticking to the pan is to properly grease and flour the pan before baking. You can also use a non-stick cooking spray or a parchment paper liner to prevent sticking.
It is not recommended to put your pound cake pan in the dishwasher, as the high heat and harsh detergents can damage the non-stick coating.
The best way to know when your pound cake is done baking is to insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. You can also check the color of the cake - it should be golden brown and have a slightly springy texture when touched.