Angel Food Cake: Muffin Pan Magic

can I bake angel food cake in a muffin pan

Angel food cake is typically made in a tube pan, but it can also be made in a muffin pan. The cake gets its fluffy texture from whipped egg whites, with very little flour, and no fat or egg yolks. The hole in the centre of a tube pan allows the cake to cook evenly and rise properly, but angel food cake can be made in other pans, such as a loaf pan or a cupcake pan. The cake will not rise as much in a muffin pan as it would in a tube pan, but it will still have the signature light and fluffy texture of angel food cake.

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Angel food cake in a loaf pan

Angel food cake is traditionally baked in a tube pan, but it can also be made in a standard 9×5 loaf pan. This is a great option if you don't want to invest in a specialty tube pan.

To make angel food cake in a loaf pan, you'll need to follow a few important steps. First, preheat your oven to 325°F. Unlike with other cakes, you should not grease the loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. The cake needs to stick to the pan to ensure it rises properly and doesn't fall out when cooling upside down. Use a metal, plain loaf pan, as non-stick pans will not work for this cake.

Next, you'll want to prepare the batter. The exact ingredients and method may vary depending on the recipe you choose, but typically, angel food cake is made with whipped egg whites, sugar, flour, and sometimes additional ingredients like cream of tartar, vanilla, and salt. You'll want to beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks, and then gradually add the sugar and other dry ingredients.

Once your batter is ready, transfer it to the loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake is brown and no longer sticky on top. To ensure the cake retains its volume, it's important to cool it upside down. Rest the handles of the pan on top of two jars or canned goods to achieve this. Let the cake cool upside down for about an hour.

Once the cake is cooled, carefully run a butter knife around the edges to loosen it from the pan. Lay the pan on its side and gently pull the cake out with the knife. If needed, use an offset spatula to help release the cake. To serve, use a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to slice the cake. Angel food cake is delicious served with fresh berries and whipped cream.

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How to bake angel food cake without a tube pan

Angel food cake is typically made in a tube pan, but it is possible to bake it without one. Here is a guide on how to bake angel food cake without a tube pan:

Firstly, it is important to note that you should not use a Bundt pan or any pan with a non-stick coating. The batter needs to stick to the sides of the pan as the cake rises, so a non-stick surface will prevent the cake from reaching its optimal fluffy texture. The ideal pan should have the same diameter as the recipe's tube pan and have removable sides. A standard 9x5 loaf pan or a skinny drink can also work.

If using a loaf pan, do not grease it or line it with parchment paper. Transfer the batter to the pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until brown and no longer sticky on top. Turn the pan upside down and rest the handles on two jars or canned goods. Let it cool upside down for at least one hour. This step is crucial, as the cake will deflate if cooled right-side up.

If using a skinny drink can, follow this tip from The Great British Baking Show: wrap the can in parchment paper, securing it with tape. Place the can in the centre of your cake pan and fill the pan with water, rice, dried beans, or pie weights. This creates a simple tube pan structure.

Fill your chosen pan no more than two-thirds full with batter. Bake according to your recipe's time and temperature instructions. Turn the cake pan over a sink to remove the weight or can, then return the can to the centre and turn the cake upside down until completely cool. The cake will be propped up by the can, which should be higher than the pan's sides.

Once the cake is cool, turn it right-side up and remove the can. To release the cake from the pan, run an offset spatula or thin butter knife around the edge. Your angel food cake is now ready to serve!

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Angel food cake in a Bundt pan

Angel food cake is typically baked in a tube pan, which has a flat bottom and straight sides. However, some people have experimented with baking angel food cake in a Bundt pan. While it is possible to bake angel food cake in a Bundt pan, it can be challenging to get the cake out of the pan in one piece due to the pan's unique shape.

First, preheat your oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a 10-inch Bundt pan with cooking spray or oil. It is important to note that greasing the pan is not a typical step in the angel food cake recipe, but it is necessary when using a Bundt pan to ensure the cake doesn't stick. In a medium bowl, sift together cake flour and powdered sugar. Set aside.

In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites with cream of tartar and a pinch of salt until soft peaks form. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add vanilla extract and granulated sugar. Gradually increase the speed to medium-high and continue whisking until stiff peaks form. This process should take at least 5 minutes.

Once the egg white mixture is ready, gradually fold in the sifted cake flour and sugar mixture in three additions. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Spread the batter into the prepared Bundt pan in an even layer.

Bake the angel food cake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. The longer baking time compared to a traditional tube pan is due to the thicker batter in the Bundt pan.

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This step is crucial, as it helps set the structure of the cake. Do not try to remove the cake from the pan until it is entirely cooled, as it may fall apart.

When the cake has cooled, invert the Bundt pan onto a serving tray or cake stand. Gently tap the bottom of the pan to release the cake if necessary. If the cake does not come out easily, run a thin knife around the edges of the pan to loosen it gently.

Now your angel food cake is ready to be served! Top it with fresh fruit, roasted strawberries, or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful summer treat. Enjoy the unique and beautiful presentation of your angel food cake baked in a Bundt pan!

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Baking time for angel food cake in a muffin pan

Angel food cake is typically made in a tube pan, but it can also be made in a muffin pan. The baking time for angel food cake in a muffin pan varies depending on the size of the pan and the number of muffins.

For mini-cupcakes, the baking time is around 8 minutes. Regular-sized cupcakes take about 12 minutes to bake. The small loaves, which are approximately 3"x 6", bake for about 25 minutes. The baking time for a full-sized angel food cake in a loaf pan is 35-40 minutes.

It's important to note that angel food cupcakes bake in half the time of a full-sized cake. The cupcakes also do not need to be flipped upside down during the cooling process, making them a quicker option overall.

When baking angel food cake in a muffin pan, it is recommended to use paper liners. This makes it easier to remove the cupcakes from the pan, although they can also be run with a spatula around the sides.

The ideal temperature for baking angel food cake is 375°F (190°C). It is also essential to use a pan without a non-stick coating, as the batter needs to cling to the sides of the pan as it rises.

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Angel food cake batter consistency

Angel food cake is a delicate and fluffy cake made from whipped egg whites. The cake batter consistency is crucial to achieving the desired fluffy and airy texture. Here are some tips to get the right batter consistency:

Egg Whites:

The key to achieving the perfect angel food cake batter is to whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Soft peaks will continue to expand in the oven, resulting in a fluffy cake. Be careful not to over-whip the egg whites, as this will result in stiff peaks that may collapse in the oven. It is also important to ensure that no egg yolks are mixed into the egg whites, as the fat in the yolks can prevent the whites from forming peaks.

Sugar:

Use superfine sugar, which is created by pulsing granulated sugar in a food processor or blender. Superfine sugar will dissolve more easily into the egg whites, resulting in a smoother batter. Add the sugar gradually while continuing to whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks.

Dry Ingredients:

Aerate the dry ingredients by pulsing the cake flour and salt with the remaining sugar in a food processor. Sift and fold in the dry ingredients gradually, in three additions, to the whipped egg white mixture. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

Baking:

Transfer the batter to an ungreased tube pan or loaf pan, depending on your preference. The batter should cling to the walls of the pan to rise properly. Gently tap the pan on the counter to break up any large air bubbles in the batter. Bake at the recommended temperature for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

By following these tips and paying close attention to the consistency of your batter, you can achieve the perfect angel food cake with a delicate and fluffy texture.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can bake angel food cake in a muffin pan. However, you may need to adjust the baking time. For mini cupcakes, bake for about 8 minutes, and for regular cupcakes, bake for about 12 minutes.

The typical baking time for angel food cake is 35-45 minutes. However, it's important to note that the cake is done when it springs back after being lightly pressed and is golden brown on top.

Yes, it is important to ensure that the muffin pan is not greased. Angel food cake needs to stick to the pan to rise properly. Additionally, the pan should have removable sides and no non-stick coating.

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