Angel food cake has become a popular go-to dessert because of its crumbly, fluffy texture and perfectly sweet taste. It’s also made using only a handful of ingredients, including egg whites, sugar, flour, and cream of tartar.
Yet, it’s removing the cake from the pan that can either make or break your precious dessert. So, in this post, we’ll be walking you through the steps of how to properly remove angel food cake from the pan to avoid any mishaps.
Let’s get started.
How to Remove Angel Food Cake from Pan in 3 Easy Steps
These simple steps will help keep your angel food cake intact as you remove it. Take a look.
Step 1: Cool the Cake Upside Down
After removing the pan from the oven, immediately turn the pan upside down. You can then place it over the throat of a glass bottle.
Another option is to invert the pan on a cooling rack. Just make sure you cover the rack with parchment paper or a clean towel to prevent the rack from leaving a pattern on the top of the cake.
The third option is if you have a tube pan or a pan with feet specifically designed for angel food cake. In this case, all you have to do is simply flip the pan over and allow it to rest on the pan’s feet or supports.
Leave the cake in that position until it cools completely. This serves two purposes.
The first is that it’ll help the structure of the cake to set, which will prevent it from collapsing or breaking apart.
The second reason is that giving the cake time to fully cool will ensure it maintains its airy texture and delicious flavor.
Step 2: Use a Sharp, Thin Knife
Once you’re sure the cake has cooled completely, it’s time to remove it from the pan.
Run a super-sharp knife with a pointy, thin tip and serrated edge around the sides of the pan. Use a sawing action to help loosen it from the sides and prevent breaking it apart.
Next, run the same knife around the tube in the center of the pan to remove the cake from the middle as well. During this step, try to avoid pressing down too hard on the cake to prevent it from getting compressed.
Instead, use a nudging motion to guide the knife along the center tube.
Step 3: Flip the Cake Over on a Serving Tray
After loosening the cake from the sides and center, it should be ready to be removed from the pan. To do this, you need to prepare a serving tray or large plate with a diameter that’s slightly bigger than the pan.
Place the tray over the top of the pan, hold the pan and tray together, and flip both together simultaneously. The cake should slide right out onto the tray.
Once you’ve flipped the cake over onto the serving tray, it’s ready to be sliced and enjoyed.
Alternative Removal Techniques
If the steps above don’t work for any reason, try these alternative removal methods.
Tapping the Sides and Bottom of the Pan
You can use this technique to help release the cake as you’re using your knife to loosen it from the pan.
To do this, start by running the knife around the edges of the pan. Then, tap the sides with your hand or a wooden spoon to help loose the cake.
Next, gently tap the pan on your kitchen countertop or give it a few shakes to help loosen the cake from the bottom of the pan.
Once you feel the cake has become loose in the pan, it’s time to invert it onto a serving tray or plate.
Removing the Bottom with a Spatula
If you’ve tried tapping the pan and still feel the bottom of the cake is still stuck, try using a spatula to loosen the bottom from the pan.
Remember to be extra careful when trying this technique. You want to avoid damaging the structure of the cake.
Freezing the Cake
I should note that freezing angel food cake may alter its texture and overall consistency. However, if the traditional removal method doesn’t work, this can be a viable alternative.
To start, make sure the cake has completely cooled down before wrapping the pan in plastic wrap or placing it in a freezer-safe bag. Then, place it in the freezer for about 1–3 days.
When you’re ready, take it out of the freezer and thaw it at room temperature.
Then, try the three removal steps mentioned above. It should be more pliable after thawing and should easily slide out of the pan.
Precautions to Take When Removing Angel Food Cake from the Pan
Removing angel food cake from the pan the right way may seem tricky, but once you know how, it’s actually pretty easy. The proper removal method will guarantee that the cake maintains its fluffy, light texture. It’ll also help prevent the cake from getting stuck in the pan or breaking apart during removal.
Precaution #1: Be Patient
The trick to remove the cake correctly is to allow it to cool completely first. I know it can be tempting to try and speed things up because it smells so good and you’re dying to get a taste. But that will only cause your cause to get stuck in the pan, or worse, collapse.
For best results, you need to leave the cake to cool for no less than an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the size of your cake.
Precaution #2: Cool the Cake Upside Down
It’s also recommended that you cool the cake upside down either on a wire rack or a glass bottle. This will help promote even cooling and help the cake maintain its structure without collapsing or shrinking.
Precaution #2: Avoid NonStick Surfaces
Another trick is to avoid using a nonstick cooking spray or nonstick pans when baking your angel food cake. This is because, for this particular dessert to work, the batter has to cling to the sides of the pan during baking to achieve its airy and fluffy texture.
Nonstick pans and sprays will prevent this from happening because they create a slippery surface. So, instead of the batter adhering to the sides, it’ll slide down, which will prevent it from rising properly.
Another potential problem with using nonstick sprays is that, over time, they can leave a residue on the surface of the pan. This can be difficult to remove and will ultimately affect the performance of the pan, leading to food getting stuck to the sides and bottom.
Final Thoughts
There you have it: your best guide on how to remove angel food cake from the pan. Remember, these mouth-watering desserts require a delicate touch, so try to use the key techniques I mentioned first.
If that doesn’t work, you can try any of the alternative removal methods to help loosen the cake from the sides and bottom of the pan. By using these steps, you can successfully remove your angel cake from the pan while maintaining its crumbly, delicate structure.
Then, once it’s ready, invert it onto a serving tray, slice, and enjoy!
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.