Do you want to bake a yummy cake? Making a cake at home can be so much fun! But it can also feel tricky if you don’t know how long does it take to bake a cake?
I used to wonder: how long to bake a cake? I wanted my cakes to turn out moist and fluffy, not dry or gummy.
The good news is that baking the perfect cake is totally possible! You just need to know a few key things that affect how long it takes. Once you understand those, you’ll be a cake-baking pro in no time.
In this post, we’ll dive into all the details of cake baking time. I’ll share how long it takes to bake different cake recipes and sizes. You’ll also learn what things make a cake bake faster or slower.
Let’s get started! Here’s what we’ll cover:
Key Facts:
- Most cakes take 30-40 minutes at 350°F in round pans. (Source: Team Research)
- Bigger cakes need 45+ minutes. Smaller sizes are faster. (Source: Team Research)
- Ingredients, oven type, and more change bake time. (Source: Team Research)
- Check doneness with a toothpick for best results. (Source: Team Research)
- Cool cakes the right way or they’ll get mushy. (Source: Team Research)
How Long Does It Take to Bake a Cake?
The baking time for a cake can vary depending on the recipe, the size and shape of the cake pan, and the oven temperature. However, most cakes will bake for 25-35 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check to see if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done.
Let’s start with the basics. how long does it take to bake a cake?
The baking time depends on a few key things:
- The size and shape of the cake pan
- The ingredients used in the cake batter
- How hot your oven gets
Most regular round cake pans need about 30-40 minutes in a 350°F oven.
But a sheet cake pan might only need 25 minutes since it’s spread out thinner.
And a tall bundt cake pan? It could take 45 minutes or even more since the middle is so thick.
So the basic answer is that cake baking time is usually between 30-45 minutes. But you should always check your recipe too.
Next, let’s look at some specific cake bake times.
How Long to Bake Different Cake Recipes
Not all cakes are created equal when it comes to baking time!
Cake ingredients really affect how quickly it bakes up tenderness on the inside. Let’s explore how long some popular recipes take.
Baking a Classic Birthday Cake
For a classic birthday cake with frosting, you’ll need 2-3 round cake pans.
Fill them 2/3rds full with your favorite box cake mix or scratch recipe.
Then bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
That gives you perfect, fluffy cake layers ready for decorating!
Baking a Rich Chocolate Cake
Chocolate cakes often need a little longer than white or yellow cakes.
The cocoa powder and melted chocolate make the batter extra thick and moist.
So expect a chocolate cake to need about 35-40 minutes in the oven.
Check it early at 30 minutes since choc cakes can dry out fast. You want it moist, not crunchy!
Baking a Classic Vanilla or White Cake
Vanilla cakes made with vanilla extract, milk, and eggs tend to bake up lighter than chocolate.
Figure around 30-35 minutes for a fluffy vanilla cake baked in two 9-inch pans at 350°F.
If it’s still jiggly in the middle at 30 minutes, give it 5 more. Use your toothpick test to know when it’s baked through.
Carrot Cake and Other Veggie Cakes
Carrot cake and zucchini cakes bake slower than plain cakes.
That’s because of all the veggies in the batter. They add moisture that needs extra time to cook off.
Budget 40-45 minutes for a classic carrot cake recipe until a toothpick test says it’s ready.
Fruit cakes with lots of berries or apples take a little longer too.
Rich Pound Cakes and Bundt Cakes
Really dense cakes like pound cake or bundt cakes often bake for over an hour, sometimes up to 90 minutes!
That’s because of how much butter and eggs they contain. The extra fat needs more time to cook through.
Watch closely near the end to prevent burning. An oversized bundt pan may need to bake at just 325°F.
How Cake Pan Size Changes Bake Time
Another factor in how long to bake a cake is the size and shape of the pan. Let’s break down times for common pans.
Cake Pans – Round
- 6-inch round pans: 23-28 minutes
- 8-inch round pans: 28-33 minutes
- 9-inch round pans: 30-35 minutes
- 10-inch round pans: 33-38 minutes
The bigger the round pan diameter, the longer the bake.
Sheet Cakes
- 9×13-inch pan: 30-40 minutes
- 15×10-inch pan: 23-33 minutes
- Half sheet pan: 28-38 minutes
Thinner cakes bake faster. Watch edges to prevent burning.
Loaf Pans
- Small loaf: 45-55 minutes
- Large loaf: 50-60 minutes
Dense pound cake batter baked tall takes the longest.
Bundt Pans
- Mini bundt: 15-25 minutes
- Large bundt: 45-60 minutes
Oversized or heavy pans need more time. Use your toothpick test.
See why checking cake pan size matters? Let your pan guide you on the approximate baking time.
Other Factors that Change How Long to Bake a Cake
We’ve covered the basics: ingredients, pan size, and oven temp. But a few other things can speed up or slow down cake baking too.
High Altitude
If you live way above sea level, your cakes will bake faster. The air is thinner so it cooks the batter quicker.
You may need to lower the oven temp by 25°F and check early for doneness.
Oven Differences
If baking in a dark glass pan, it may need 5-10 extra minutes over a shiny metal pan. Dark metal pans also increase bake time.
And convection ovens move the air so cakes bake faster. Reduce the temperature stated in recipes by 25°F for convection cooking.
Ingredient Substitutions
Swapping the oil for melted butter or vice versa changes moisture levels in the batter. So tweaks like those may increase or decrease the baking time needed.
Whenever you substitute ingredients, keep a close watch to test doneness.
High Moisture Batters
Extra eggs or fruit purees create an ultra-moist batter that requires a longer bake time.
Batters mixed with milk instead of water also often need 5-10 extra minutes.
Badly Leavened Batters
Too much leavening like baking soda/powder makes cake batters rise fast and then sink. This can leave the insides underbaked.
Fix this next time by following the recipe carefully and not overmixing once the learners are added.
How to Tell When a Cake is Done Baking
You made it! Now that you know the factors that change how long to bake a cake, we need to talk about testing cake doneness.
Watching the timer is not enough. You need to check for visual cues that your cake is baked through.
Here are the best ways to test cakes for doneness:
Do the Toothpick Test
Stick a toothpick or thin wooden skewer into the middle of the cake. Pull it out.
If it comes out clean, your cake is done! If the batter sticks, bake another 5 minutes and test again.
Check the Sides
The sides should be lightly browned and start to pull away from the pan sides when done.
Touch the Top
Lightly press the center of the cake. It should spring back and not leave an imprint.
Listen for Hollowness
Tap the top of the cake gently. A light hollow sound means it’s baked through.
Use 2-3 doneness tests to be totally sure your cake is ready! better safe than sorry.
Now you know exactly how to get cakes baked perfectly every time. But we need to talk cooling too…
Cooling and Storing Cakes Properly
Pulling fresh hot cake layers or bundt cakes out of the oven is so exciting!
But wait about 15 minutes before eating.
Cooling cakes the right way ensures they keep their shape and perfect texture.
Here are some useful cake-cooling tips:
- Let cakes rest in the pan for 10 minutes after baking.
- Then carefully flip it onto a cooling rack.
- Allow at least 30 minutes for rounds or loaves to cool completely before frosting or slicing.
- Give thick cakes like pound cakes at least an hour to cool down.
- Once cool, wrap in plastic and store at room temp for 2-3 days.
- For longer storage, freeze cakes for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Following these steps helps your beautiful cakes retain their fresh baked taste and tender crumb!
Now that you’re a pro at how long to bake a cake, let’s do a quick recap:
Key Things that Change Cake Baking Time
- Cake pan size and shape
- Oven temperature
- Cake ingredients and recipe
- Altitude
- Oven type
- Batter mixing and leavening
How to Tell When a Cake is Fully Baked
- Toothpick/skewer test
- Lightly browned sides
- Springy top
- Hollow sound when tapped
Keep Cakes Moist by Proper Cooling
- Cool in pan before removing
- Use a rack to allow air circulation
- Wait at least 30 minutes before cutting
- Wrap well and store properly
Baking the perfect cake takes a little care and technique. But now you know exactly what affects cake baking time and how to test doneness.
So go forth and bake up sweet birthday cakes, rich chocolate layers, colorful bundts, and more!
If you have any other cake-baking questions, let me know in the comments. I love helping fellow bakers get the best results.
Now excuse me while I go turn on my oven – all this cake talk has made me hungry! Enjoy your baking!
