A Guide for Cake Baking Temperature and Time

Unfortunately, this is the hardest question to answer and one of the most common questions we get asked. Cake baking temperature and time depend on many variables, such as ingredients, pan size, oven, height, etc. You get the idea. There simply isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer.

Instead, we should go through a list of questions to help us determine the answer. Remember, baking is science, and like any science project, we should experiment to get good results.

If you’re a cook who can’t resist tossing in a handful of it and sprinkling it on, you may find that baking can be a bit hit and miss. Baking is a field of cooking that is not conducive to artistic license. But follow a few basic cake baking tips, and success is certain…

So, what is the temperature for baking cake in a microwave oven?

Well, there is no temperature setting to set in a microwave oven. It only has power level settings like 1,2,3…10. To bake a cake in a microwave oven, we need to set the power level to 100% of the total power efficiency. If you have a microwave oven with convection mode turned on, 180°C is the set temperature for baking a cake.

Preheat the oven and prepare baking pans for at least 20 to 30 minutes before baking. The cake pans are prepared before the batter is mixed. For small (butter or oil) cakes, the pan is usually greased.

For non-foam cakes, the pan may not necessarily be greased on all sides or not greased at all. Make sure you follow each and every step of the recipe carefully.

Cakes typically bake between 325 and 450 degrees F. Most convection ovens require the fan to be turned off as well as reducing the temperature by 25 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the correct oven temperature by checking with two oven thermometers (placed on either side) and bake as close to the center of the oven as possible for proper air circulation.

When the cake is first placed in the oven, the formation of the crumb depends on the degree of rising, and rapid heat absorption plays a role.

Baking at 350ᵒ Fahrenheit is a happy medium between 300ᵒ Fahrenheit and 400ᵒ Fahrenheit and creates a cake that has the best of both worlds. It has lightness, texture and caramelization inspired taste. Changing the temperature at which you bake has a significant impact on the outcome of your cake.

By knowing the accuracy of your oven, you can better predict the end result of your cake. If you’ve ever baked a recipe and wondered what went wrong, check your oven temperature again.

Most ovens are calibrated incorrectly, leaving you unaware that you are baking at a temperature above or below the temperature specified by your recipe. It is important to buy an oven thermometer to test the temperature and then adjust as needed.

Plus, you can have some control over the height and texture of your cakes by adjusting the heat dial on your oven slightly up or down.

Points to Remember

Oven type –

Are you using a standard electric oven, gas or convection oven? The type of oven and the age of your oven play a big part in determining your temperature.

Size of the pan –

The general rule of thumb when baking is “the bigger the pan, the lower the temperature”. You bake a cake in a 9″ round pan at 350 F for about 30-35 minutes. But, if you were putting the same recipe in a 14″ pan, you’d need 50-55 minutes to raise the temperature to 325 F.

It will have to be reduced. Also, if you put the same recipe into a standard cupcake pan, your temperature will rise to 375 F and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Once you are aware of the cake baking tips, temperature and time, you can bake the cake in no time at home. Follow the basic steps, and you are done. If you wish to order a cake online, there is always an option for online cake delivery.

Just browse online the best cake bakery and order your favorite pinata cakes online, pull me up cakes, or the trending half birthday cakes. The choice is yours!