The first objective of each baker is to learn how to make a successful cake. This is a crucial objective to have since there are so many different methods to make a cake and a baker must learn all of them! In my perspective, baking a cake in a water bath is one of the most difficult methods. Each baker may benefit from learning the dos and don’ts of baking a cake in a water bath.
Wrap aluminum foil over the bottom of the cake pan to insulate it. Place the cake pan in the center of a large baking pan. Fill the baking pan with boiling water until it reaches 1 inch around the cake pan. Bake the cake for 40 minutes on the center oven rack.
I felt invincible in my kitchen after learning how to effectively bake a cake in a water bath! As I looked into it more, I discovered that there was a lot more to know about baking in a water bath. Knowing about the water bath provided me the confidence I needed to embark on more ambitious baking projects.
Contents
How to Make a Water Bath Cake
How to Make a Water Bath Cake:
- Tightly wrap the bottom of the cake pan with aluminum foil
- Pour the cake batter into the cake pan
- Place the cake pan in the middle of a large baking pan
- Heat up water in a kettle to make it hot
- Pour about 1 inch of hot water into the baking pan
- Put the large baking pan on the middle rack of the oven
- Bake the cake for 40 minutes or until the top looks firm
- After water bath, cool the cake for 15 minutes on a wire rack
- Carefully remove the cake from the water bath
- Cool the cake for an additional hour at room temperature
To bake in a water bath, you must first choose the appropriate pans. Choose a long baking sheet with at least 1-inch raised sides. The hot water will be placed on this baking sheet. Nevertheless, before you pour the water, you must first choose the appropriate cake pan.
Depending on what you’re baking, you’ll need to choose the appropriate cake pan. Whether you want to create a conventional cake or a sponge cake, I recommend using an average cake pan. If you want to bake a cheesecake, though, you’ll need to use a springform pan.
In any case, make sure your cake pan or springform pan is higher than the baking pan into which you’re pouring the water. Fortunately, I discovered the Ideal Baking Pan for the task! This baking pan is broad and deep enough to accommodate most cake pan sizes, resulting in an incredible Water Bath baking experience. Look at Amazon for this baking pan!
Make sure that the diameter of your cake pan fits into the big baking sheet that you previously prepared.
After selecting the appropriate cake pan, cut two big sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil and cover the bottom of the cake pan with it. Be careful to wrap the foil from below the pan and moving up the sides of the pan.
Covering the bottom of your cake pan with aluminum foil is critical for insulation. Cakes baked in a water bath need the heat to be maintained inside the baking pan to enable the cake to bake completely.
Baking a cake in a water bath may sometimes cause problems. Even if you use a standard cake pan, water may come in through the holes on the bottom and undermine the structure of your cake.
There is another another reason to line the bottom of your cake pan with aluminum foil. Once completely covered, the foil may prevent water from entering into your cake pan and damaging your cake.
Pour the cake batter into the cake pan after ensuring sure the aluminum foil is nice and snug. Put the cake pan in the bigger baking pan and place it on the middle oven rack.
How do you bake using a water bath? Boil water in a kettle before using a water bath for baking. Pour boiling water into a big baking pan using a tea kettle with a long spout. The tall spout prevents water from spilling on the cake dough.
Pour the boiling water from the tea kettle into the big baking pan slowly. Pour in enough water to fill the cake pan halfway. Just add enough water since the water will evaporate in the oven over time.
Check That No Water Is Entering The Foil!
Following that, just bake your cake in the water bath according to the recipe directions.
*As a side note, I just published an article titled The Best Strategies to Repair and Avoid a Dense Cake. This article discusses how to repair and avoid a failed dense cake. This article may be found here!
What effect does a water bath have on cakes?
A water bath, in general, aids in the uniform baking of a delicate cake on all sides. A water bath helps to avoid the creation of splits and cracks on the cake’s surface. This is a frequent baking technique for desserts like cheesecakes and sponge cakes.
The water bath method is a highly useful skill to have in your kitchen. It may be used for a variety of reasons while baking your delectable creations, including:
- Warming up your baked goods when they are cold
- Melting chocolate to use as a design for your cakes
- Baking cakes such as cheesecakes and sponge cakes
In this case, I’d want to discuss baking a cake using a water bath. The purpose of this water bath is to safeguard your fragile cake batter by keeping equal heat across the circle of the cake.
Keeping consistent heat around your cake batter might aid in baking your cake evenly on all sides at the same time. It may also prevent the production of a hard crust on the cake’s surface, which normally results in fractures and cracks throughout the cake.
*Aside: You may also be interested in learning How To Make A Cheesecake Without A Springform Pan. I just published an article on What Can You Use To Make Cheesecake If You Don’t Have A Springform Pan. This article may be found here!
Is it necessary to add water in the oven while baking a cake?
In general, placing water in the oven as a water bath will give the essential moisture while baking a cake. This moisture keeps the cake moist and prevents it from becoming dry and crumbly. Water may also aid in the equal distribution of heat throughout the baking process.
A water bath will help keep your cakes from browning as quickly as the usual method of baking a cake. Despite the fact that baking a cake in a water bath takes longer, I like to bake as many of my cakes in a water bath as feasible.
A water bath offers me the assurance I need to ensure that my cakes bake flawlessly.
If you wish to bake numerous cake pans in the same water bath, allow at least 1 inch between each cake pan so that the hot water may circulate freely around each pan.
I know what you’re thinking: What kinds of cakes can I bake in a water bath? So, I try to limit myself to the major two varieties of cakes. A cheesecake with a sponge cake (my favorite).
*By the way, if you want to know how to remove stuck parchment off of your cake and how to avoid it, I just published an article on Removing Stuck Parchment Paper, which you can see here!
Using a Water Bath to Bake a Sponge Cake
Is it possible to bake a sponge cake in a water bath?
A water bath is essential for a fragile cake, such as a sponge cake, since it prevents the cake from quickly expanding due to excessive heat. This ensures that the sponge cake emerges from the oven with a smooth and level surface all around.
Baking a sponge cake in a water bath provides more advantages than baking it without one. Since a sponge cake is light and airy, the moisture given by evaporated water will contribute to the spongy feel that we all like!
When I make a sponge cake, the edges are generally too firm. Nevertheless, since I began baking my sponge cakes in water baths, the cake’s borders have become as light and silky as the remainder of the cake.
*Side Note: If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between a sponge cake and a butter cake is. You may read about it in my essay here!
Using a Water Bath to Bake a Cheesecake
Is it possible to bake a cheesecake in a water bath?
A water bath is essential for a delicate cake-like cheesecake because the evaporating moisture of the water keeps the cake from drying out in the oven.
A water bath equipment and a nonstick springform pan are usually required to bake a superb cheesecake.
If you want to make different-sized cheesecakes, I just purchased the ideal 3-piece set of Springform Pans for myself! This 3-piece set includes 4, 7, and 9-inch Nonstick Springform Pans and is available on Amazon!
A cheesecake is one of the most delicate desserts I’ve ever worked with, which is why it’s my personal favorite. The most essential thing I’ve learnt from making cheesecakes over the years is to always safeguard your cheesecake!
I treat each of my cheesecakes as if it were a newborn baby. A water bath allows the cheesecake to achieve its greatest potential.
*By the way, one of the most crucial things to know after baking an incredible-looking cheesecake is How To Properly Cut It To Keep It From Coming Apart. You may discover an article I published on The Correct Way To Cut A Cheesecake here!