Have you ever spent ages painstakingly baking a delicious cake for a birthday or special occasion, just for it to get stuck in the cake tin and break into a hundred pieces when you try to remove it? Trust us, we feel your pain!
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of greasing a cake tin, give you a simple run down of how to grease and line a cake tin and answer the all important question: do you need to grease silicone pans? Let’s get into it.
Why is greasing a cake tin important?
Probably the most important reason to grease your cake tin (and probably the reason you’re here), is to prevent your cake from sticking to the sides and bottom of the tin. Why exactly does this happen? Well, the sugar in the cake mixture caramelises during the baking, especially around the edges where the mixture meets the tin (the more you know!). Greasing the tin with butter or oil adds an extra layer of grease which, when heated by the oven, will prevent the sugar from hardening and the cake mixture from sticking to the surface of the tin. The greased layer also helps the cake slide out easily after baking, reducing the risk of breaking or tearing the cake as you remove it from the tin.
On top of stopping your mixture from sticking and making it easier to slide out of the pan, proper greasing can also ensure an even bake! Greasing the tin ensures that the heat is evenly conducted across the cake’s surface. This allows the edges to brown uniformly, resulting in an even colour around the cake. Over-greasing, however, can lead to excess fat accumulating at the base and a greasy or soggy texture. Ensuring that you use the correct amount of butter or oil when greasing your cake tin helps to maintain the desired firmness without excess oil seeping into the batter.
Necessary ingredients to grease your cake tin
To effectively grease a cake tin, you’ll need a few essential tools and ingredients. There are a number of ways you can grease your cake pan. Butter is the most common option, providing both a rich flavour and a smooth, even coating that prevents sticking. Alternatively, vegetable oil or non-stick spray can be used for a lighter, neutral-tasting option, and they are easy to spread evenly across the tin.
Using shortening as the grease for your tin is another option, often preferred for intricate moulds or higher-temperature baking, as it doesn't burn as easily and doesn’t add any flavour. For added protection, especially with lighter cakes like sponges, dusting the greased tin with a layer of flour or cocoa powder for chocolate cakes helps to ensure a smoother release - however this is not essential.
For an extra layer (pardon the pun) of security, you can also line your tin with greaseproof paper. Greaseproof paper provides a reliable non-stick surface, ensuring the cake releases easily without sticking or tearing. It simplifies the process of removing the cake from the tin, especially with delicate or layered cakes, as you can simply lift using the excess paper or flip the cake out without worrying about damage. Additionally, the paper helps distribute heat more evenly, preventing hot spots that can lead to uneven baking or browning.
Using greaseproof paper can also reduce the need for excessive greasing, which helps avoid soggy edges or an overly oily cake. While the sides of the tin may still need a light grease, lining the bottom with paper ensures a smooth release and makes cleanup easier, as batter won’t stick directly to the tin’s surface.
How to grease a cake tin
Once you’ve decided which type of fat you will use to grease your tin, it’s time to get to it! Depending on your chosen ingredient, the method of greasing may differ slightly.
Greasing with butter or shortening
If you’re using butter or shortening, make sure to soften it in the microwave for a few seconds. Then, using either a piece of kitchen roll, your hands or a silicone brush, evenly spread the softened butter or shortening across the bottom and sides of the baking tin. Here at Gaya Bakery, we prefer using a silicone brush, as it’s cleaner and a bit more hygienic, but the warmth from your fingers does melt the butter more, meaning you might not need to warm it in the microwave for as long.
Greasing with oil
If you’re using standard oil, pour it into a bowl and dip in a pastry brush. Lightly coat the surface of the tin by brushing evenly across the bottom and sides, making sure to cover all areas without leaving excess oil. Using a pastry brush helps to achieve an even coating.
Greasing with oil sprays
Oil sprays are much easier. Simply shake the bottle of oil spray well to ensure even distribution of the oil, hold it about six inches away from the cake tin and spray a light, even coat across the insides of the tin. Move the bottle in a sweeping motion to cover all surfaces evenly.
Regardless of which method you use to grease your tin, make sure the entire tin is coated with a thin, even layer of grease - but that there’s no pools of excess. This will help to ensure that the cake releases smoothly but doesn’t go soggy.
For certain cakes, it might be helpful to dust the greased tin with flour. This extra step creates an additional barrier that helps prevent the cake from sticking. Once you’ve greased the tin with butter or oil, lightly sprinkle flour over the greased surface and then tap the tin to remove any excess flour. This ensures that the cake releases easily and maintains its shape when you remove it from the tin.
How to grease and line a cake tin with greaseproof paper
If you don’t want to rely on grease alone, you can add a layer of greaseproof paper to the sides of your tin. Draw around the base of your cake tin to ensure the paper fits the bottom of the tin, and cut around it. Place the sheet of paper in the bottom of the tin, pressing it down lightly to adhere.
For the sides of the tin, cut a strip of paper that is tall enough to reach the top of the tin and fit it around the sides. Lightly grease the tin before placing the paper in order to help it stick. If needed, overlap the ends of the side strip and fold the top edge of the paper over the rim for added security. This ensures a smooth release of the cake and makes cleanup easier.
Do you need to grease silicone pans?
There’s a common misconception that silicone or non-stick tins don’t need to be greased. While it’s true that silicone cake tins are naturally non-stick, applying a light layer of grease can still be beneficial to prevent any mishaps. This extra step helps ensure the smoothest release and can be particularly useful for recipes with very sticky mixtures, such as cookie dough, or delicate cakes.
Greasing is even more important if your silicone tin is older or has been used frequently, as wear and tear can sometimes affect non-stick properties. Make sure to only apply a thin layer though, as you don’t want the grease to pool and to be left with soggy or greasy cakes!
How to clean greased cake tins
Cleaning greased cake tins effectively is key to maintaining their condition and ensuring they’re ready for your next bake. Let’s explore a simple way of cleaning cake tins:
- Allow the tin to cool: Make sure your cake tin is completely cool before cleaning to prevent warping.
- Remove residue: Use a spatula or a paper towel to gently scrape off any large pieces of stuck-on grease or cake bits.
- Soak the tin: Fill the sink with warm, soapy water and let the tin soak for about 10-15 minutes. This will help to loosen any remaining grease or cake crumbs that have stuck on.
- Scrub the tin: Use a non-abrasive sponge or dishcloth to lightly scrub the tin. Focus on any greasy spots or residue. Avoid using harsh scrubbers, as they can damage non-stick coatings and scratch the metal.
- Rinse and dry: Rinse the tin thoroughly with warm water to remove all soap and grease. Dry it immediately with a clean towel to prevent water spots and rusting, especially if the tin is made of metal.
For stubborn grease or residue, a paste of baking soda and water can help to dissolve the grease and get it off. Apply the paste to the affected areas and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing as usual.
How Gaya Bakery can help
If you’re struggling to make a cake without half of it sticking to the tin, or this article has completely put you off the idea of baking altogether, Gaya Bakery is here to help! We have a number of different delicious layer cakes, cupcakes and desserts for you to wow your guests at your next dinner party.
We are also able to offer a bespoke service, ideal for wedding cakes, birthday surprises and other celebration cakes. Browse our cakes, cupcakes, desserts and postal treats on our website, or contact us today to discover how we can help, whatever the occasion!
