is a bundt cake pan necessary?
Posted by rainbowdust919 on May 27, 2009 · Member since Nov 2004 · 1198 posts
to make la's award winning cake, is it necessary to have a bundt cake pan? or a tube pan, whatever that is?
i don't have either of those since i've never needed them before.
I've never made that recipe specifically, but definitely some cake recipes benefit from having a ring / tube / bundt tin as they bake more evenly. I don't really know why, but certain recipes will end up either squishy/uncooked in the middle, burnt round the edges or both if you just bake them in a normal round tin.
bummer. :-\
The middle piece distributes the heat more evenly through (it minimizes the thickness of the batter all around). If you don't have one, I would make it in several smaller pans--like a layer cake. Don't choose a pan that will make it too thick. Check it constantly, as the baking time will obviously be different.
Also, here are the volumetric equivalents:
1 (9x13-inch) baking dish
2 (9-inch) round cake pans
2 (8-inch) round cake pans
1 (9-inch) tube pan
2 (11x7-inch) baking dishes
1 (10-inch) springform pan
I would imagine two loaf pans would also work. I think it's worth a try!
I would imagine two loaf pans would also work. I think it's worth a try!
those i've got.
i'm remembering that alton brown did something on good eats where he made a bundt pan, but i don't know if i am remembering it right. maybe he put a cleaned out can with the label removed in the middle and put dried beans in it to weigh it down? but would that work with a liquid batter? maybe i'm remembering that wrong. i'm pretty sure he did something, though, since he hates "unitaskers".
oooh that sounds good. i remember he did something like that to make english muffins, too.
I would imagine two loaf pans would also work. I think it's worth a try!
those i've got.
i'm remembering that alton brown did something on good eats where he made a bundt pan, but i don't know if i am remembering it right. maybe he put a cleaned out can with the label removed in the middle and put dried beans in it to weigh it down? but would that work with a liquid batter? maybe i'm remembering that wrong. i'm pretty sure he did something, though, since he hates "unitaskers".
Yes! Take a metal can, and remove the label, and put weight in it. Put that in the middle of your round pan or whatever. Sounds super!
Woo hoo! Thanks for the info, I don't have one either, I appreciate the subsitutions that I can use instead! ;)b
wait, I just realized that this technique doesn't make sense unless you have a super deep pan. the point of the hole in the bundt pan is because it allows you to make such a tall cake. but if you have a regular cake pan there's no point in putting a hole in the center, unless you're trying to make a donut cake. and regular cake pans don't come very deep because then the cake wouldn't bake properly. ah the dilemma!
wait, I just realized that this technique doesn't make sense unless you have a super deep pan. the point of the hole in the bundt pan is because it allows you to make such a tall cake. but if you have a regular cake pan there's no point in putting a hole in the center, unless you're trying to make a donut cake. and regular cake pans don't come very deep because then the cake wouldn't bake properly. ah the dilemma!
divide between two pans?
yeah, that's what I do since I don't have a bundt pan and it works fine. there's something so nice about bundt cakes though...