One of the first things we all heard about baking a cake is that it could take quite a long while to get it ready. If you’re about to make your first homemade cake, I bet you want to know how long it will take to bake a cake.
After the whole preparation process, baking a cake takes 40 minutes or a little less or more.
How long you bake your cake determines its texture. While other factors determine the texture of your cake, baking your cake for too long can make it dry.
If you are not so sure how long your cake should be in the oven, continue reading this article.
How long does it take to bake a cake from scratch?
It depends on the cake recipe, but it often takes 40 minutes or less. Sometimes, it could take a little more.
However, this duration does not cover the preparation time. Also, this duration varies with ovens and baking temperature.
In addition, this duration will work perfectly for a well-functioning oven. Therefore, you must be sure your oven is in good condition before you start baking.
How long does it take to bake a cake in a gas oven?
The baking time in a gas oven can range from 15 mins to 90 minutes, depending upon the nature of the cake as well as the size of the pan.
You should also follow the baking time in your recipe.
How long does it take to bake a cake in an air fryer?
If you bake at 320°F, it should take around 25 to 30 minutes to bake a cake in a pan you put in the steamer basket.
To verify whether the cake is finished baking, stick a toothpick into the center. The cake is done baking if the toothpick comes out clean.
How long does it take to bake a cake in a toaster oven?
It takes 20 to 25 minutes to bake a cake in a toaster oven. Bake the cake until the top is bouncy. Then, stick a wooden skewer in the center of the cake.
If it comes out clean or with only a few crumbs, it is ready. Take the cake out and leave it to cool.
How long does it take to bake a cake in a convection oven?
Baking cakes in convection ovens is not advisable. However, if you must, you must be very careful and you should note a few things.
First, you have to lower the temperature by 25 to 35°F. Also, for a standard recipe, you should use two-thirds of the time you would use in a conventional oven.
Convenction ovens have fans and operate differently from conventional ovens. They heat faster and stay hotter for longer too. I’ll advise that you keep an eye on your cake if you must bake it in a convection oven.
How long does it take to bake a cake at 350°F?
It should take between 30 to 55 minutes to bake a cake at 350°F. However, baking time depends on the size of the cake.
For instance, a 9-inch square cake will take 30 to 35 minutes in a circular pan while a 14-inch cake will take 50 to 55 minutes.
How to bake a cake
If you are baking at home for the first time, you can follow this easy recipe to make a standard 9-inch cake.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ sticks of unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 1¼ cups of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups whole milk. You can make do with heavy milk if you are out of whole milk. Dilute ¾ cup of heavy milk with ½ cup of water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and begin the preparation process
- Beat two sticks of butter and the sugar using a mixer on medium-high speed. Beat it until it is light and fluffy
- Afterward, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl
- Add the beaten eggs and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix on medium speed until you have a uniform mixture, at least it should not be separated
- While you mix, pause in between and scrape the sides back into the bowl
- Then, pour in the flour mix and milk alternately into the bowl of wet ingredients
- Mix on medium speed until you have a smooth mixture
- Butter the cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Also, butter the pan and dust it with flour
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes
- Stick a toothpick to the center to be sure your cake is baked well. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready
- Leave the cake to cool for 10 minutes on a cooling rack before you turn it out of the pan
- Remove the parchment paper and cut the cake into slices and serve or refrigerate it whole
FAQs
How long does it take to bake a cake at 180°F?
180°F is too low for baking a cake. But, if you must use the temperature, your cake should sit in the oven for about an hour.
The standard temperature for baking a standard cake is 350°F or 325°F for a flat-topped cake.
How long does it take to bake cheesecake?
Cheesecake is one of those cakes that take a long while to bake. A standard cheesecake recipe will take about 50 to 60 minutes to bake.
Why is your cake crumbly?
If after baking your cake it comes out crumbly, it could be because it used too much flour or it does not contain enough fat.
Other reasons for a crumbly cake are baking for too long or overmixing the batter.
Why is your cake too dense?
Every cake beginner thinks their cake is too dense because they added too much flour. This is not true. Your cake could be dense for various reasons. It could be because it has too much sugar, liquid, or leavening.
It could also be because you did not beat the butter and sugar to fluffiness.
Conclusion
Baking is fun and does not take as long as many people say it does. After the whole preparation process, your cake should be baked and ready to eat in 35 to 50 minutes. Baking a cake needs time and patience.
Beyond the time, you must ensure that other conditions are right. Use the right proportion of ingredients and follow the recipe to the letter.
The type and quantity of flour you use are very important. As a beginner, stick with all-purpose flour. As you advance, you can try out varieties like bread flour or plant-based flour.
Thanks for reading.