Buzz
Depending on the type of baked goods and the cooling time, there are a few key points to keep in mind. Improper cooling can lead to cracks or sogginess in your baked items. Placing baked goods in the refrigerator is a quick cooling method, but you can also let them cool on the kitchen counter or in the oven. Options include placing the baked goods on a cooling rack, leaving them in the pan, or even flipping them upside down to cool. Follow the tips and instructions in this article to cool your baked goods quickly and effectively, tailored to the type of baked item you are making.
Steps
Cooling Baked Goods by Refrigeration
Consider the amount of time you have. Depending on the type of baked goods, you can cool them using this method in just over 2 hours. Here are a few things to note:
- You can cool angel food cake, pound cake, sponge cake, and other soft, fluffy baked goods by refrigerating them for about 1-2 hours.
- This method may not be suitable for cheesecake, as sudden temperature changes can affect its texture and cause cracks. For rich, creamy baked goods meant to be served cold, cooling them this way can take up to 4 hours.
- Traditional baked goods may take about 2-3 hours to cool if you choose to refrigerate them.
Remove the baked goods from the oven. Once the baked goods are done, use oven mitts to carefully take them out of the oven and place them on the kitchen counter. Let them sit for about 5-10 minutes. Keep the following tips in mind:
- For cheesecake or other rich baked goods, it’s best to turn off the oven and leave them inside for about an hour before refrigerating. If you’re short on time, you can refrigerate them immediately, but slight cracks may form.
- When handling cheesecake, run a knife between the edges of the cake and the pan while it’s still warm to prevent sticking as it cools.
- Place the baking pan on a wooden surface, such as a cutting board, to protect your counter from heat damage.
Place the baked goods in the refrigerator. After letting them sit on the counter for a short while, transfer them to the fridge for an additional 5-10 minutes. This prevents the baked goods from drying out as they cool. They should no longer be hot after this time. Consider the following:
- For sponge cake or angel food cake, it’s better to cool them upside down. Invert the pan and place it on a bottle neck or similar support to prevent collapsing.
- For pound cake, remove it from the pan during cooling to avoid sogginess. Place it on a cooling rack and refrigerate.
Cover the baked goods with plastic wrap. Take the pan out of the refrigerator and wrap the surface with at least two layers of plastic wrap. This keeps the baked goods from drying out during cooling.
- If the baked goods are already removed from the pan or inverted, wrapping is unnecessary.
Refrigerate for an additional 1-2 hours. For angel food cake or pound cake, refrigerate for 1 more hour. Cheesecake, however, requires 2 hours of chilling.
Remove the baked goods from the pan. Run a knife around the edges where the baked goods meet the pan.
- Keep the knife vertical to avoid accidentally cutting into the baked goods.
Remove the cake from the pan. Place a large plate over the cake. Hold the plate and cake firmly, then flip the pan upside down. Gently shake the pan to transfer the cake onto the plate.
- If your cake requires delicate handling, tap the bottom of the pan a few times until you feel the cake release.
- Now that the cake has cooled, you can freely frost and decorate it as you like!
Cooling the Cake on a Cooling Rack
Choose the right cooling rack. The rack should match the size of the cake you’ve baked. A 25cm pan is likely the largest standard size (for bundt or round sponge cakes), so a rack with at least a 25cm diagonal will suit most cakes. Cooling racks are essential for bakers as they ensure even and quick cooling. Keep the following in mind:
- Select a cooling rack that fits your dishwasher and the space where you plan to place it.
- Cooling racks allow air to circulate around the cake, preventing condensation that can make the bottom soggy.
Remove the cake from the pan. Once the cake is done, use oven mitts to carefully take it out of the oven and place it on the cooling rack.
- For cheesecake, simply turn off the oven and let it sit inside for about an hour. This gradual cooling helps prevent cracks.
Let the cake rest. At this point, you can refer back to your recipe for specific cooling instructions. Cooling times may vary depending on the type of cake. As a general rule, let the cake sit on the cooling rack for 10-15 minutes.
- Place the cake pan on the rack to ensure air circulates underneath.
Release the cake from the pan. Take the cake pan off the cooling rack and place it on the kitchen counter. Run a knife around the edges where the cake meets the pan.
- Keep the knife vertical to avoid cutting into the cake. Move the knife between the cake and the pan a few times to loosen it.
Spray the cooling rack with non-stick product. Before placing the cake on the rack, lightly spray it with a non-stick coating.
- Since the cake is still slightly warm, this prevents it from sticking to the rack.
Transfer the cake to the cooling rack (optional). Place the cooling rack over the pan and slowly flip it upside down. Gently tap the bottom of the pan until you feel the cake release. Lift the pan carefully to transfer the cake to the rack. Before removing the cake, note the following:
- For cheesecake, avoid transferring it to the rack. Cheesecake is delicate and may get damaged during this process.
- For pound cake, removing it from the pan early prevents sogginess.
- For angel food cake, skip the rack and simply invert it on the counter. To cool it upside down, place the pan’s tube over a sturdy bottle neck to prevent collapsing.
- Always use oven mitts when handling the pan, as it will still be hot and can cause burns.
Remove the cake from the cooling rack. After cooling for 1-2 hours, transfer the cake to a plate or tray, then frost and decorate as desired.
Tips
- For angel food cake, cool it upside down for about 3 hours to allow maximum expansion.
- To prevent cheesecake from cracking, run a knife around the edges as soon as it’s taken out of the oven.
- You don’t need to leave pound cake in the pan until it’s completely cool, but hot cakes are difficult to remove immediately. To avoid sogginess, remove the pound cake from the pan after letting it sit on the counter for 20 minutes.
Warnings
- Always wear oven mitts or protective gloves when removing baked goods from the oven to avoid burns.
- Attempting to remove a hot cake from the pan may cause it to crack or break apart.
- When cooling angel food cake upside down, avoid running a knife around the edges, as this can cause the cake to fall out!
- Oven temperatures vary, so monitor your baked goods carefully to prevent burning.
What You’ll Need
- Cake pan
- Cooling rack
- Oven mitts for safely handling hot pans
- Plastic wrap
- Knife
