While you might not think about it at first, there are actually many different ways that people go about cooking. From baking to broiling and everything in between, people who enjoy cooking often have one area that they enjoy the most.
For example, people who enjoy sweets may find that their favorite area of cooking is in baking. As many bakers will know, baking is a field that requires precision and dedication.
When it comes to baking, adding just a little bit too much of one ingredient can ruin a meal. Sometimes, cooking something for even a minute or two too long can make the entire dish become problematic.
When you are dealing with a hobby as precise as baking is, it is important to know exactly what to do with your dishes so that they can turn out perfect each and every time you make them.
One area that a lot of people have trouble with is the final steps of the baking process. A lot of people do not realize that just as much care and precision is needed when cooling a cake down as when you are first preparing it and putting it into the oven.
In fact, not tending to your cake’s needs as it is cooling down can make all the effort you put into the cake void.
However, it is important to note that every type of cake is different, and some cakes are going to require other methods for removing from a pan than others. One of the more complicated cakes to deal with is the Bundt cake. These unique cakes can sometimes be difficult to remove from the pan because of the way they are baked.
On top of this, it is important that you know how to cool Bundt cakes down properly so that you have a beautiful and delicious dessert to serve up.
Removing the Cake From the Pan
First things first, you can’t really cool a Bundt cake down without removing it from the Bundt pan first.
For beginner bakers, this is often the most difficult step, as there are situations where the cake will stick to the pan, ruining the classic appearance of the Bundt cake when the pan is removed. Removing the pan properly can sometimes take a delicate touch.
The easiest way to begin preventing this is simply by using a nonstick Bundt pan when you are cooking the cake. Of course, this will not completely prevent the cake from sticking to the pan as it cools down, but it will help significantly.
If you do have a nonstick pan, remember that you should never use harsh soaps, coarse sponges, detergents, and metal utensils on the pan as this can damage the nonstick properties.
Additionally, when you are cooking, you will need to also make sure that you are properly greasing the pan. This, in addition to using a nonstick pan, will help you tremendously when it comes time to loosen the cake from the Bundt pan.
When you take care to do these things, removing the cake from the pan will be much less difficult, although you should still work with a delicate touch to prevent anything from sticking.
Once the cake has finished baking and you are ready to remove the pan to begin cooling, the first step you will want to take is to use a plastic, flexible, spatula to loosen the edges of the cake.
You should try to use plastic when you can, especially if you have a nonstick pan as this will not damage the coating as much, and it will also reduce the chances of accidentally cutting the side of the cake.
Getting the Cake Cooled Down
After you have loosened the edges of the cake in the pan, you will want to let it sit for about five minutes.
This will simply help make sure that the cake is at a temperature that is easier to handle, especially with the cake pan holding in the heat from the oven. Remember to always be careful when handling hot objects, such as a pan straight from the oven.
Now that the cake has had time to sit for a short bit, you should flip the cake upside-down onto a cooling rack. The cooling rack in question should be a grid-shaped rack to ensure that the cake doesn’t try to settle into any gaps.
It is also much easier to move a cake from a grid rack onto a platter or plate than other types of racks. The cake should sit for another five minutes like this to ensure that it sufficiently cools down before you take the pan away.
Once this has been completed, you should begin carefully taking the pan off of the cake. You should be able to do this without much struggle from the cake itself. When the pan has been removed, the cake will be completely exposed to the open air, allowing it to cool down much more quickly so that you can store it or serve it as you wish.
Removing the pan is a key component in cooling down a Bundt cake, as metal pans tend to retain the heat from the oven very well, and when the pan is right next to the cake, that is not an optimal situation.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.
DiAnna
Monday 28th of June 2021
Hi Sarah! Just want to say Thanks! for sharing your expertise, you're very appreciated. Dianna M