For baking cakes, the most commonly used type of oven is a conventional oven, which can be either electric or gas. Conventional ovens provide even heat distribution, making them ideal for baking cakes. Some people also use convection ovens for baking, which have a fan to circulate the air and ensure even cooking. However, if using a convection oven, it’s important to adjust the baking time and temperature, as they typically cook faster and at a lower temperature compared to conventional ovens.
Here’s an example of baking a cake using a conventional oven:
- Preheat your conventional oven to 350°F (175°C) for electric ovens or 325°F (165°C) for gas ovens.
- Prepare the cake batter according to your recipe.
- Grease and flour the cake pan, or use parchment paper to line the bottom.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, and spread it evenly
- Place the cake pan on the middle rack of the preheated oven for even heat distribution.
- Bake the cake for the time specified in the recipe, usually around 25-35 minutes for a standard-sized cake. The cake is done when a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging to it.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- If using a convection oven for baking a cake, you would need to adjust the temperature and baking time. Generally, you should reduce the temperature by 25°F (about 15°C) and check for doneness a few minutes earlier than the recipe suggests, as convection ovens cook faster.
When a cake recipe calls for preheating the oven prior to baking, it is important to take into account how long the oven takes to reach full temperature before adding any cake batter, as cakes will not bake correctly without reaching the proper temperature. Additionally, having an oven thermometer on hand can be helpful in ensuring that temperatures are accurate throughout the entire baking process. During baking, it is important to check your cake periodically by inserting a toothpick or skewer into center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is done baking. If not, then additional time may be needed in order to achieve a fully baked cake.