Cake Tins
Sponge cake tins
It is important when choosing cake tins that you buy the correct size and depth for the amount of ingredients
you are going to use. If you are planning to make sponge cakes, for example, you need tins with enough depth for the cake
to rise. Our old, all time favourite, is the Victoria sandwich. The most
commonly sold size and depth of tin for this cake is 7 inches (18 cm) in
diameter and about 1 and a half inches (4 cm) deep. Sold as “sandwich tins” these days, you will, of course, need two
of these.
Loaf tins
It is very confusing as there are so many sizes around these days.
The most readily available, are 1 lb, (450 g) or 2 lb, (900) g. Basically the deeper the tin and straighter
the sides, the better result you will get, particularly if you are making
bread. The very old-fashioned tins with
straight sides, a slight rim, sharply angled corners and double thickness bases
are excellent and worth their weight in gold, but hard to find. Be sure to buy the correct tin as
recommended for the amount of mixture in your favourite recipes. You can also use these tins to make fruit
loaf cakes or my rustic cherry cake!
Cake tins for deeper sponges
light, or rich fruit cake – There are three basic sizes
available, mainly round, although if you search for sturdy, professional
quality tins, it is possible to find square versions. Aluminium, non-stick, or Teflon coated, are all worth
investigating, some are weightier and less flexible than others. Good
average sizes to look out for are: 6 inches, (15 cm), 7 inches, (18 cm), and 8 inches, (20 cm). Some Christmas or other rich fruit cakes
sometimes call for a 9 inch (23 cm) tin, They usually have loose bases with
non-stick interiors for easier cake removal.
Silicone bakeware
There is now some new silicone rubber cooks grade, flexible bakeware,
suitable to take from freezer to oven, but just how flexible and light I have
yet to find out. Tefal have a range with stainless steel rims which should make for more stability when handling
them when they’re hot, but please take advice first. I may well investigate
these myself and report back later!