It goes without saying that a decent springform pan is essential for making a cheesecake. (As Ree Drummond once said, “Springform pans and cheesecake are like peas and carrots!”) But these brilliant pans aren’t only for cheesecake; they work wonderfully for other cakes and even deep-dish pizza! If you don’t have a springform pan or if yours is leaking, here are some of the best options to consider.
What is a springform pan?
What is a springform pan, and what may be baked within one? Springform pans are used to bake thick-batter-type cakes and fragile cakes that would be harmed if flipped out of a standard cake pan. Because they are not one solid piece, all springform pans leak. Using thick mixtures and baking cheesecakes with crusts can help minimize this spillage. While most popular for baking cheesecakes, springform pans can also be used to prepare savory cuisine like lasagna and deep dish pizza. The options are infinite!
Read Related: The Best Cheese Press
How to Use a Springform Pan?
There are a lot of pieces and hinges to springform the pan, but they are actually quite simple to use. It’s a myth that they’re difficult to use. To attach the hinged collar, just snap the base into place. Once the springform pan has been sprayed with non-stick spray, butter, or flour, the food is placed within. Springform pans can be used to bake anything from sweet cheesecakes to savory dishes. The collar can be removed once the meal has been taken out of the oven and allowed to cool completely. It’s like getting a surprise cake or cheesecake without having to deal with the mess of a regular cake pan. You can eat it now that the collar is off!
All springform pans leak because the sides and bottom aren’t joined together. Adding butter to a cheesecake crust causes it to melt and fall out of the crevices, resulting in a messy mess. Smoke and fire alarms, as well as unpleasant odors, may result. The overflow groove on some springform pans was created with this in mind to catch the butter or batter before it goes into the oven. However, not all springform pans feature this extra ridge. It’s best to have a baking sheet underneath the springform pan to catch any butter drips if your springform pan doesn’t include a groove for that purpose. To choose the best springform pan, search for one with a leak-proof rim.
One of the most common complaints about springform pans is that they leak in water baths. Cheesecakes are often baked in water baths, which are one of the most prevalent methods. To keep the cheesecake from drying out, use a water bath. Water can sneak into the cheesecake if the springform plate isn’t completely leakproof. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Aluminum foil can be used to cover the springform pan’s exterior. If you don’t want to use a springform pan, you can use a larger cake pan instead. This method necessitates the use of a somewhat larger cake pan. If not, you’ll need to buy this cake pan. Cheesecake can be protected from water with slow cooker liners. The temperature of the oven must be compared with the slow cooker liner’s temperature restrictions carefully.
What to Look for When Buying a Springform Pan
Material
Nonstick aluminum or hard-anodized aluminum are the most common metals used in springform pans. Some have a glass bottom, while others have a metal one. Using the glass bottom depends on how you intend to use it. If dishwasher safety is important to you, be sure to verify the manufacturer’s recommendations before making a purchase.
Size
As little as 4 and 6-inch springform pans can be found all the way up to 10, 12, 13, 14, and 16-inch pans. As a result, springform pans are more versatile than ordinary cake pans and may be used for everything from torte to quiche to deep-dish individual pizzas.
Leakproof
When you’re baking a cake, you don’t want your springform pan to leak. Fit the ring into the base and seal the edges of the pan to see whether it works for you. Fill the pan to the brim with water and see whether it spills over the edges. Be sure to cover your pan with aluminum foil before using it if this happens.
Best Springform Cake Pan: Fat Daddio’s Aluminum Springform Cake Pan
This traditional silver springform pan has a lot going for it, including a long-lasting non-reactive surface. The anodized metal, which is designed for experienced bakers, performs remarkably well, since the aluminum quickly heats the food to baking temperatures and maintains even heating throughout the whole baking process. The wide-base bottom’s distinctive design was intended to be leakproof and easy to release at the same time. There are no dangerous chemicals or dyes in the anodized coating and you may bake with confidence knowing that your food won’t be contaminated.
We like the 10-inch pan since it’s a good all-around size, but Fat Daddio’s has it in smaller and larger sizes as well.
Best High-End: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch® Leakproof Springform Cake Pan
Williams Sonoma’s 9-inch pan falls within the premium goods category. Since cheesecakes and other baked products have a nonstick Goldtouch ceramic covering and a unique side-clip design with an O-ring gasket at the bottom and vertical sealing on the edges, leaking is prevented. Sturdy pan constructed of commercial-grade aluminized steel (weighing 2 pounds). The 6 1/2-cup capacity is provided by the 9-inch interior diameter and 10-1/2-inch overall diameter.
It’s dishwasher safe for easy cleanup, and it’s made in the United States. In addition, it’s aesthetically pleasing, making it an enjoyable experience to use.
Best 7-Inch Springform Pan: Nordic Ware 9-Inch Springform Pan
For those occasions when a full-sized cake is too large and a mini-cake is not large enough, this 7-inch pan is an excellent addition to your kitchen. The 4-cup capacity makes it ideal for cheesecake, Chicago deep-dish pizza, stacked sushi cakes, and veggie tortes. It is made of solid metal with a nonstick coating.
Because it’s made in the United States and backed by a 10-year warranty, you can rest assured you’re getting a high-quality baking pan. Note that it cannot be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Best 8-Inch Springform Pan: Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Springform Pan, 8 Inch
It’s no surprise that Mrs. Anderson’s Baking is known for its simple, functional kitchenware, like this springform pan. Many manufacturers don’t produce 8-inch springform pans, so finding a nice one can be tough. Mrs. Anderson’s Baking’s nonstick-coated carbon steel pan is a terrific winner. It’s free of PFOA and measures 8 by 8 by 2.5 inches.
Best Two-in-One: Ballarini Nonstick Two-in-One Springform Pan
Because it can be converted into a Bundt tube pan with the provided interchangeable base, this gorgeous black nonstick steel pan is well worth having in your kitchen. Each size (small, medium, or large) is available in three different shapes, so you may bake cheesecake, bundt cake, or deep-dish pizza in the right size pan. Dishwasher and oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, the Ballarini pan is ideal for baking. Springform pans, such as this “industrial chic” one from Ballarini 1889, a cookware firm that produces both professional and consumer kitchen equipment, are made in Italy and seem just as high quality as they are.
Best Square: Anolon Advanced 9-Inch Square Springform Pan
This pan features a carbon steel construction, bringing the convenience of a springform pan to a new shape: square. You can easily produce cheesecakes, various baked products, and classic icebox cakes with the Anolon Advanced Square Springform Dessert Pan. The pan is 3.4 x 10.9 x 10.9 inches and weighs 2.6 pounds, making it the sturdiest of the bunch. Despite its strength, it’s also lightweight and portable. Because of the SureGripTM handles that prevent it from slipping in and out of the oven, taking it in and out is a breeze. Hand washing is the only way to keep it in good working order.
Best Mini: Wilton 4-inch Nonstick Mini Springform Pan
Mini Springform Pans from Wilton make it easy to create unique desserts. These no-fuss, no-muss specialty pans from Wilton come with a 10-year limited warranty and are made of classic, heavy-duty steel with a black nonstick coating. Depending on the merchant, they can be purchased as a three-piece set or individually, so you can make small quiche or bespoke desserts for a particular occasion. They can also be washed in the dishwasher, making them even more convenient.
Best for Instant Pot: Instant Pot 7.5-Inch Nonstick Springform Pan
An exciting new feature has been added to Instant Pot, making it even more useful for home cooks. You can use your Instant Pot to make cheesecakes and other sweet and savory treats, such as lasagna and macaroni and cheese, using this springform pan. To make a quick dessert for a small family, the 8 3/10-cup capacity makes it ideal for the task. With a BPA-free nonstick surface, it may also be used in the oven (up to 450 degrees) for more traditional cooking.
A 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pot model can be used with this accessory.
Best Glass Bottom: Kaiser 11-inch Crystal Glass Bottom Springform Pan
The German Kaiser Company is recognized for its high-quality, one-of-a-kind items, and this glass-bottomed springform pan does the trick for displaying enormous cheesecakes right out of the oven. Because it’s made of solid, clear glass, the base pan doesn’t need to be removed when serving; instead, it serves as a lovely serving platter for your masterpiece. Nonstick coating and the SafeClick clasp make the springform heavy-gauge steel. There is a base of heat-resistant, scratch-proof, and cut-proof glass that is capable of operating at 440 degrees Fahrenheit in an oven for up to two hours.
How are any other creative uses for a springform?
If you want to bake a cheesecake, whether it’s traditional or Basque, this is the pan for you. But you can also bake any other kind of cake in it with success. Making a single-layer cake with more height and depth, like this rustic fruit-studded cornmeal masterpiece, is much easier with a springform pan. They are especially convenient for making chiffon cakes and flourless chocolate cakes, which don’t require flipping, because they are so light. Upside-down cakes, ice cream cakes, and other frozen delicacies can all be unmold from the pan without any sticking thanks to the nonstick surface and easy release base. Deep-dish pizzas, baked pasta casseroles, and towering, stunning tarts and quiches are some of my favorite uses for it. The possibilities are endless because the pan is safe for use in both a pressure cooker and an air fryer, as advertised by Fat Daddio’s. It is possible to make cheesecake in an air fryer.
How do I care for my springform pan?
After washing, thoroughly drying a springform pan is the single most crucial step in using it. As long as the pan is kept dry, the spring’s steel construction will remain rust-free and in top operational condition. If you want to preserve your nonstick springform pan looking pristine, choose plastic or wooden tools instead of metal ones.
Final Verdicts
The Fat Daddio’s Aluminum Springform Cake Pan is a terrific choice if you’re looking for the best springform pan that allows you to experiment with a variety of recipes. The Wilton 4-Inch Nonstick Mini Springform Pan (see at Amazon) is a terrific alternative if you already have a standard springform pan in your collection and are looking for something new to try.
Commonly Asked Questions:
What makes a springform pan unique?
A springform pan is unlike any other baking dish since its removable sides are formed by a metal ring that is snapped onto the pan’s base. Since springform pans are meant for cakes that can’t be turned upside down to remove them from the pan, removing the ring allows you to bake foods like cheesecakes or quiches without thinking about how you’d get them out of the pan. The design of this pan also makes it simple to slice and serve straight from the bottom of the dish.
Is a springform pan OK for a standard cake?
This cake pan can be used in place of a standard pan for all of your favorite cake recipes. After the ring is securely secured and the pan is placed in the oven, it performs similarly to any other cake pan.
What are the parts of a springform pan?
The bottom of a springform pan has a beveled edge so that the high-sided metal ring that makes up the top may fit into it securely. This metal ring is spring-loaded, so it may be clamped and then tightened around the base.
