Bake Tall Cakes In A Shallow Pan With An Easy Parchment Paper Trick
If you're working with a shallow pan but still want those impressive cake layers, the answer is simple: give it a parchment paper collar. This little trick involves wrapping a strip of parchment or acetate (for non-oven applications) around the inner wall of the too-short pan, allowing you to turn your average pan into a skyscraper for your batter. Just grab some parchment paper, extend the height, and voilà — you've got yourself the ideal setup for a tall cake without the splurge on specialty pans.
But don't go pouring your batter just yet. One of the mistakes everyone makes when baking a cake is pouring the batter into an unprepared pan, practically inviting crumbling and sticking. Do yourself a favor and grease it up, line it, and only then add that parchment collar to keep things neat and stick-free. This small step will help you to achieve a tall, smooth cake, keeping it intact for that perfect moment of unveiling. And while this trick is great, be aware that, to ensure thorough baking, really tall cakes should be made of multiple layers.
Bake taller, bake smarter
To set up the collar, start by cutting a strip of parchment paper that's long enough to wrap around the pan's interior, with at least a two-inch extension above the rim. This extra height is crucial for allowing the batter room to rise without spilling over the edges. For stability, grease or tape the ends of the parchment to the pan. If you're looking for added security, consider using a double layer for a little extra cake insurance. This technique isn't just perfect for tall cakes, but also deep cheesecakes and thicker brownies — and surprisingly, even lasagna!
While baking, remember to stick with a standard oven setting, as using your oven's convection setting isn't ideal for cakes. Once your cake is baked and cooled, pop it in the fridge for a quick chill; after all, the fridge is your friend when it comes to seamless cake slices. So go ahead, get creative with that parchment, and bake with conviction. You'll have cakes that not only taste amazing but also look like they came from a professional bakery.