Tiffany Haney
Baking strips, also known as cake strips, are used to prevent cakes from doming and developing overly brown edges. They are wrapped around the outside of a cake pan to insulate it, allowing the exterior and interior of the cake to bake at the same pace. This results in a flat cake top and softer edges. While professional bakers may not use them due to time and cost constraints, they can be beneficial for home bakers who want to ensure evenly baked cakes and minimise waste. This text will provide a step-by-step guide on how to wrap a rectangular pan with cake strips, including DIY options for those who prefer to make their own.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To prevent cakes from doming and to ensure cakes bake evenly |
| Use | Wrap the strip around the outside of the cake pan and adjust to tighten |
| Materials | Foil, paper towels, water, safety pins, fabric, binder clips, metal clamps |
| Suitability | Best for home bakers, not suitable for bulk/professional baking |
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What You'll Learn
Using an insulated cake strip
Insulated cake strips are a great way to ensure your cake bakes evenly and comes out with a flat top. They work by insulating the outer edges of the pan, preventing the batter from cooking and setting more quickly at the sides than in the middle, which is what causes the cake to dome.
To make your own insulated cake strip, you'll need heavy-duty aluminium foil and paper towels. First, measure the circumference and height of your pan. Cut a strip of foil that is approximately 6 inches longer than the circumference of your pan and three times the height. For example, for a 9-inch cake pan, cut a piece of foil that is roughly 34 inches long.
Next, tear off a strip of paper towel that is about 6 inches shorter than your foil piece. You may find it easier to handle if you tear this in half lengthwise. Crumple the paper towels, run them under water, and give them a light squeeze so they are damp but not dripping. Lay the damp paper towels on top of the foil, centred between the short ends, and fold the foil over the paper towels. Fold the paper towels and foil in thirds lengthwise, so that the paper towels are completely enclosed by the foil.
Now you have your insulated cake strip, wrap it around the outside of your cake pan, bringing the ends together and twisting them tightly to secure the strip to the pan. You can tuck the ends back towards the pan so they don't get in the way. Fill the pan with your cake batter and bake as usual.
Your cake will now bake more evenly, resulting in a flat top and no over-browning on the sides.
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$7.99
Adjusting the cake strip to the pan size
When making your own cake strips, you can adjust the size and length to fit any cake pan, including odd-shaped pans. For a rectangular pan, you will need to measure the circumference (total length of sides) and height of your pan. Then, cut a strip of aluminium foil that is 6 inches longer than the circumference of your cake pan. For example, for a 9-inch cake pan, you will need a 34-inch long piece of foil.
The width of the foil strip should be three times the height of your pan. For instance, if your cake pan is 3 inches tall, cut the foil so that it is 9 inches wide. If your pan is shorter, you can adjust the width of the cake strip by cutting down the foil and paper towels to size.
Next, cut two paper towel strips that are the same length. These should be 2.5 times the height of your pan. For example, if your pan is 2 inches high, cut the paper towel strips to be 5 inches wide. Fold the paper towel strips in thirds lengthwise and then place one strip on top of the other, and fold in half lengthwise.
Now, place the aluminium foil strip on your work surface and crease it lengthwise into thirds. Fold the sides of the foil upwards, then place the paper towel strips inside, and fold the foil over to seal the paper towels inside. You should now have a long strip with damp paper towels running through the centre.
Finally, wrap the cake strip around your cake pan, keeping it flat against the sides. Pull the strip tight and secure it in place with metal clips or large paper clips. If you are using a square tin, you will need to crease the strips at the corners.
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Attaching the cake strip to the pan
Next, cut a strip of paper towel that is about 6 inches shorter than the foil strip. You can tear this into two pieces to make it easier to handle. Crumple the paper towels, run them under water, and lightly squeeze out any excess water. Place the damp paper towels on top of the foil strip, centring them between the short ends. Fold the paper towels in half, and then in thirds.
Now you can attach the strip to your pan. Place the foil strip on your countertop and crease it lengthwise in thirds, folding the sides upwards. Wrap the strip around the outside of your cake pan, ensuring that the pointed ends meet. Twist the two ends together tightly until the strip is secure and does not move. You can also use paper clips or metal clamps to secure the strip, especially for rectangular pans. However, be aware that the top edge of your cake may become slightly marred if it rises onto the clamps.
Finally, fill the pan with your cake batter and bake according to your recipe's instructions. The cake strip will help to insulate the pan, resulting in a more even bake and a flat, level cake.
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Using cake strips for a flat cake top
Cakes typically dome because the outer edges of the pan heat up more quickly than the middle of the cake. The hotter pan sides cause the cake batter to cook and set more quickly, while the centre of the cake continues to rise. Using cake strips can prevent this from happening by insulating the edges of the metal cake pan, allowing the exterior and interior of the cake to bake at the same speed.
How to make cake strips
You can buy fabric cake strips online, at baking supply stores, or at craft supply stores. However, if you don't want to buy them, you can make your own cake strips using tin foil and paper towels. First, cut a piece of tin foil that is 6 inches longer than your cake pan's diameter. Next, tear off a strip of paper towels that is about 6 inches shorter than your foil piece. Crumple the paper towels, run them under water, and lightly squeeze out the excess water. Flatten the damp paper towels and place them in the centre of the foil. Fold the foil over the paper towels from both sides so that the paper towels are sealed inside.
Preparing the cake pan
Before you pour the batter into the pan, wrap the cake strip around the outside of the pan and secure it in place. Make sure the strip fits snugly against the side of the pan. You can also use butter and flour to prepare the cake pan. Rub 1 tablespoon of softened butter all around the inside of the pan. Lay a parchment circle at the bottom of the pan and use your fingers to rub it into place. Sprinkle flour into the pan and jiggle the pan so that the flour coats the entire bottom and sides. Tap out any excess flour.
Baking the cake
Pour the batter into the pan and bake according to your recipe's instructions. The cake strips will keep the temperature more consistent while the cake bakes, preventing the sides from cooking and setting faster than the middle. However, the cake may take longer to bake, so you may need to increase the baking time. To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake—if it comes out mostly clean, the cake is ready.
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Cake strips for preventing over-browning
Cake strips are used to prevent cakes from over-browning and doming in the middle. They are especially useful when baking cakes that require lower oven temperatures and longer baking times. For example, chocolate mud cakes, rich fruit cakes, or cakes with a high ratio of sugar or fresh or dried fruit that can burn easily.
The outer edges of a cake pan heat up more quickly than the middle of the cake, causing the batter to "set" more quickly on the outside, while the centre continues to rise. By insulating the outer edges of the pan, cake strips slow down the browning on the edges, allowing them to stay soft and preventing the cake from doming.
You can buy ready-made cake strips or make your own at home. DIY cake strips can be made from various materials, such as old towels, strips of fabric, or paper towels wrapped in foil. To make a cake strip, you will need a strip of fabric or paper towel and a piece of aluminium foil. The fabric or paper towel should be soaked in water and then gently squeezed to remove any excess water. Place the damp fabric or paper towel on the foil, and fold the foil over it to seal. The cake strip should be wrapped around the outside of the cake pan, ensuring that it is flat against the sides.
It is important to note that using cake strips may add a little extra time to the baking process. Additionally, some bakers recommend removing the cake strips a few minutes before the end of the baking time to prevent the cake from becoming too moist.
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Frequently asked questions
Cake strips are strips of fabric or paper towels wrapped around a cake pan to insulate the cake and prevent the edges from browning too much. They also help cakes rise evenly and stay flat on top, making levelling the cake much easier.
Many professional bakers and chefs do not use cake strips because cakes will need to be trimmed anyway, and most cake batters bake into level layers if mixed correctly. It is also a huge waste of time and money when making hundreds of cakes for production.
First, measure the circumference and height of your pan. Cut a strip of aluminium foil that is 6 inches longer than the circumference of your cake pan. Cut paper towel strips about 6 inches shorter than the foil piece. Saturate the paper towels with water and squeeze out the excess. Place the wet paper towel strip in the centre of the foil and fold the foil over it from both sides. Wrap the foil strip around the cake pan, keeping it flat up against the sides. Secure the ends of the strip together with paper clips or metal clamps.
