Cake baking ought to be straightforward, right? The problem is that perfect cake baking is sometimes trickier than it seems.
How long does it take to bake a cake? Cake baking time is affected by the size of the cake pan, the consistency of the batter, and the temperature of the oven. The usual time to bake a cake ranges from 25 minutes to an hour and is very specific to the individual cake.
We’ll go into great detail about how long to bake a cake in this guide. On the basis of various cake sizes, we will break it down for you.
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Cake Baking Time by Inches
The length of time your cake needs to bake will really depend on how many inches it is. From 4 inches of clear space to 16 inches, we have a wide range of options for you to consider.
Most cakes or cake layers are 2-3 inches high, but if you use a round pan, they can vary in length or diameter.
4-Inch Cake
A 4-inch cake is fairly small and won’t need to bake for nearly as long as a larger cake.
Some bakers will advise you to base your cake baking decisions on the number of ounces of batter. The size of your cake, in actuality, makes a big difference.
A Bundt cake, for instance, might require considerably more time. It needs enough time to cook through to the center despite typically not having a very wide diameter.
The timing might be similar to that of a 14-inch cake because it is a smaller area.
But we digress.
Normally, 8 servings can be made from a 4-inch cake. They bake at about 350°F, though if you use a mix, the temperature may vary depending on the pan. It takes roughly 22–26 minutes to bake a 4-inch cake.
6-Inch Cake
Even though a 6-inch cake is only marginally bigger, you might be surprised to learn that it takes at least 10 more minutes to bake than a 4-inch cake.
Although the disparity between the sizes is not particularly great, there is a definite difference between a 4-inch and a 6-inch cake.
Typically, a 6-inch cake will feed 12 people, but if you slice it thin enough, it may feed more. The approximate cooking time for these is 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a 2-inch-tall pan, a 6-inch cake requires approximately 2 1/4 cups of batter. The largest difference in cooking times is between smaller and larger cooks, as you will see.
8-Inch Cake
Just 2 inches separate an 8-inch cake from the 6-inch we just discussed. It does, however, require a lot more batter to make, which means that cooking time will also be slightly longer.
This cake takes about the same amount of time to cook as your 6-inch cake. You’ll see the difference is only a few minutes.
Usually, a cake of 8 inches will bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For an 8-inch cake that is 2 inches thick, you will typically need 4 cups of batter. Depending on how many slices are used, an 8-inch cake can serve roughly 20 people.
The baking time for an 8-inch cake will be between 37 and 42 inches. This really only takes another 2 minutes or so to cook than your 6-inch cake.
10-Inch Cake
A 9-inch cake can be baked, but it’s not a very popular size, so we’ll move right on to a 10-inch cake. Once more, you’ll see that the 10-inch cake doesn’t need to cook for much longer than the typical 8-inch cake.
You’ll observe that we only increase the cooking time by a few minutes for this size of cake, much like our progression from 6 inches to 8 inches.
A 10-inch cake serves approximately 28 people, depending on the size of the slices. A cake that is 2 inches thick (the customary thickness) needs roughly 6 cups of batter to make it.
In most cases, a 10-inch cake will bake at 350°F. A 10-inch cake should be cooked for about 40–45 minutes. Keep in mind that compared to the 8-inch cake, this only adds another 2-3 minutes of cooking time.
12-Inch Cake
When it comes to baking time, a 12-inch cake will catch you off guard. The baking time has increased for all of our other cake sizes.
A 12-inch cake will, however, bake in roughly the same amount of time as your 10-inch cake.
When sliced, a 12-inch cake can accommodate about 40 people. For a 12-inch cake, you should prepare 8 cups of batter.
350°F is also the usual baking temperature for a 12-inch cake. A 12-inch cake will bake in exactly the same amount of time—40 to 45 minutes—as a 10-inch cake.
14-Inch Cake
A 14-inch cake marks the beginning of bigger territory. There are some differences in how you bake the cake due to its size. You’ll notice that as the time changes, so does the temperature.
Because you want the cake to cook evenly, the temperature is lowered and you cook for a longer period of time. If you keep using the higher temperature, your dish will have an undercooked center and browning edges, neither of which you want.
A 14-inch cake will serve about 63 people. It’s a huge cake, for sure! To fill the pan to about 2 inches high and bake a 14-inch cake, you will need approximately 11 1/2 cups of batter.
The ideal baking temperature for a cake of this size is 325°F, not 350°F. You’ll notice that the cooking time is about 10 minutes longer than a 12-inch cake and will be 50–55 minutes. This adjustment meets the demands of the larger size and lower temperature.
16-Inch Cake
The ideal cake size is one that measures 16 inches. Once more, it will require a lower heat and a little bit more time to cook. Many people are helped by it.
A cake of this size can feed 100 guests at a wedding. Depending on how the slices are cut, the standard serving size is intended to serve about 77 people.
A 16-inch cake requires approximately 16 cups of batter.
With a cake this size, as with a 14-inch cake, you want to ensure that the center is completed without damaging the cake’s edges. Again, this is where the cooler temperature is relevant.
Plan to reheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit when you bake a 16-inch cake. These cakes bake for just a little bit longer than the 14-inch cake—around 55–60 minutes. There is a difference of about five minutes.
How Tall Should a Cake Be?
Cakes typically stand between two and three inches tall. Although it is not always the case, that is the standard height for a cake. A cake that is 4 inches tall likely has 2 layers to make it that way.
The amount of batter you use is really the only factor, of course. This is one of the reasons we included the potential amount of batter in the aforementioned examples, but keep in mind that this is just an approximation.
It’s just the typical size for most cakes; nothing mandates that your cake must have layers that are 2 inches in height. There is nothing improper if your cake happens to be deeper. Just be aware that it might change the cooking times we’ve provided here.
Read More: How Full To Fill A Cake Pan?
Where Do I Place My Cake in the Oven?
We advise setting up your rack so that the cake will be in the center of the oven when you are baking one.
The best location to get the most uniform heating throughout the cake is here. The top of the cake may receive too much heat, and the bottom may do the same if it is too high.
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FAQs
How Long to Bake a Cake at 180?
Each time I bake a cake that calls for 180 degrees Celsius and 25-30 minutes for it to be ready it takes 1 hour 30 minutes for the cakes to be done.
How Long Does It Take to Bake a Cake at 350?
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.
How Long Does It Take to Bake a Cake from a Box?
Combine cake mix, pudding mix, buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, sour cream, vanilla extract, and salt in a sizable bowl. Pour into the prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes (mine was perfect at 38), or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Cake and Decorate?
It takes time to create a cake with expert decor. Technically, you can make a cake in less than 3 hours.
