How to Convert Cake Recipes for Any Size Tin or Cake Pan - Cakes by Lynz (2024)

FAQs

How do you adjust baking times for different pan sizes? ›

1. If the tin is smaller you will generally need to extend the baking time as the batter will be deeper in the pan and therefore will take longer to bake. On the flip slide, if the cake pan is larger the batter won't be as deep and will take less time.

However if you are having to substitute then it would be best to go for the tin that is closest in size - ie if the recipe is for an 8-inch tin then a 7-inch tin is closer in size than a 10-inch tin. Using a 10-inch tin would give a very thin cake.

Knowing the math now, we can figure out how to adapt the 9” cake recipe for my 7” cake tin. All we need to do is divide the 9” surface area by the 7” cake tin surface area: 64 (surface area of 9” cake tin) divided by 39 (surface area of 7”) = 1.64. Thus, divide all ingredients of 9” cake recipe by 1.64.

A recipe written for a 9” x 13” pan can also be made in two 9” round pans; one 9” round and one 8” round, or two 8” round pans.

For example; you could substitute a 8 x 8 x 1 1/2 inch square pan (6 cups) for a 8 x 2 inch round pan (6 cups) without changing the baking time or oven temperature stated in the original recipe.

If the recipe calls for a 9-inch round and you are using an 8-inch round, the batter will be deeper and need to bake a little longer.

Generally you reduce the round cake tin size by 2 cm (1 inch) to arrive at the equivalent size of square cake tin. So a 20 cm (8 inch) round cake tin can be switched for an 18cm (7 inch) square tin and a 23cm (9 inch) round tin can be switched for a 20 cm (8 inch) square tin.

If you do want to bake layer cakes in one tin then make sure that the sides of the tin are deep enough. The cake batter should not come more than 2/3rds up the side of the tin, otherwise it could overflow during baking.

The way to scale a recipe by number of servings is to multiply the original amount by the desired serving size and then divide by the original serving size. We are essentially doing the same thing as scaling a recipe by a multiplier.

What size round tin is equivalent to loaf tin? ›

Loaf Pans. 8×4 inch loaf pan holds 4 cups of batter, the same as a 6×2 inch round pan. 9×5 inch loaf pan holds 8 cups of batter, the same as a 9×2 inch round pan and an 8×2 inch square pan.

The area of a 9x13 pan is 117 square inches. The area of a 8x8 pan on the other hand, is 64 square inches, or close to half that of a 9x13 pan. This means you can scale a recipe down from a 9x13 pan to an 8x8 pan by simply halving the recipe. Conversely, to go from a 8x8 pan to a 9x13 pan, you double the recipe.

A: A box of cake mix fills a 13x9 pan. This pan is 13x18, so 2 boxes.

If, for example, your recipe calls for an 8-inch cake pan and you only have a 9-inch, relax, no problem. Just increase the oven temp by 25 degrees F and decrease the bake time by a quarter. In this particular example, since your pan is 1 inch larger, more surface area will be exposed.

Cut Your Recipe in Half

And, because there won't be a major difference in surface area or batter depth when you pack your halved recipe into the smaller baking dish, you won't even need to adjust the oven temperature or the cooking time. Just cut all of the ingredients in your recipe in half. It's almost too perfect!

Changing Pan Sizes

If you are using a larger pan or a square pan instead of a round pan, your batter will be thinner and baking time may decrease. If you are choosing to use a smaller pan, the baking time may need to be increased.

If you're sautéing or searing a halved recipe, keep the heat and cook time the same but size down your pan. If you're cooking a halved recipe in the oven, keep the oven temperature the same but size down your cooking vessel and reduce the cook time by 1/3 — but check on it as you go.

It's simple. Use the oven set point for the most delicate item or for the one with the lowest temp. And expect the other item to take longer than normal. Also put the more delicate / lower temp dish on the lower shelf as well.