Your casserole dish is the perfect size for the cake you want to bake, but can you bake a cake in a casserole dish? We've researched to find out if this is a good way to bake a cake and have the answers for you in this post.
It's definitely possible to bake a cake in a casserole dish. Because they come in so many different materials —glass, metal, ceramic—your outcomes may be different depending on which type you use.
Let's explore these different types of casserole dishes in reference to baking cakes, including the possibility of using a dutch oven as well. We'll also look at some of the better casserole dish brands for baking. So without further ado, let's get to it, shall we?
Can You Bake A Cake In A Casserole Dish?
The definition of a casserole dish is a covered dish used to bake and serve casseroles. These dishes can be round or square or oval and are most often made out of earthenware, though sometimes they are made out of glass. Dutch ovens, which are similar to casserole dishes, are typically made out of cast iron.
When baking cakes, you want a pan that is going to allow the cake to rise beautifully, cook evenly, and get a nice delicate browning on the top. Typically, cakes are baked in metal baking pans, but a casserole dish can work if you don't have an actual baking pan made for baked goods.
Glass Casserole Dishes
One of the developments in cookware has been that of the glass baking dish. The most common brand is Pyrex and why they are so loved, is their versatility. These dishes can go from the freezer to the fridge to the oven to the freezer and into the dishwasher without a problem. They rarely break, and when they do, they shatter into a bunch of small pieces that are not dangerous. This is because they are made of borosilicate glass.
When baking a cake in a glass casserole dish, the main thing to keep in mind is that glass may cook a wee bit faster than other materials. You'll want to set your timer to check your cake about five minutes earlier than expected to make sure you don't overcook it.
Here's a great 5-piece set of Pyrex baking dishes. The handles make them easy to take in and out of the oven. One lid is included for the 3-qt dish. They're machine-washable and the plastic lid is BPA-free.
Click here for this bakeware set on Amazon.
Earthenware Or Ceramic Casserole Dishes
Baking a cake in a ceramic casserole dish is kind of the opposite of baking a cake in a glass dish. The cake will generally take longer to cook through. This is because the dish is heavier and takes longer to heat up. Give the cake about an extra five minutes.
Because ceramic doesn't conduct heat as well as metal, your cake may not have as much rise as it would in a metal pan. The crust may also have a lighter appearance than one cooked in a more traditional baking pan.
Kingsbull Home Baking Dish Set
This 2-piece ceramic casserole baking set is pretty enough to take from the oven to the table. If you're limited on space and need a super versatile cooking pan, a casserole dish will work for many different things, including being a serving piece.
Click here for these dishes on Amazon.
CorningWare Bakeware
CorningWare ceramic casserole dishes come in a wide variety of sizes that will work for different shapes of cakes. They have oval, round, small ramekins, and most even come with glass lids and plastic lids for storage.
Click here for this large set on Amazon.
Dutch Ovens
Though dutch ovens aren't exactly the same thing as a casserole dish, they are similar. And it is possible to bake some cakes in these heavy-duty cast iron pots. They hold more heat than regular pans so you may need to lower the temperature.
It's suggested that for recipes that call for 350 degrees F, that you lower the oven temperature to somewhere between 315-325 degrees F. If you don't, you'll end up with thick and crusty sides and bottoms.
Dutch ovens can be beautiful like the colorful Le Creuset pots with heavy-duty handles and an included lid.
Click here for this dutch oven on Amazon.
Or you can go for simple cast iron that will work on an open campfire as easily as in your oven. It's important to line your dutch oven with parchment paper, then grease it, so that your cake won't stick inside the pan.
This Lodge dutch oven comes with the feet like the oven in our attached video and the handled lid. You'll need to season it well with cooking oils before you use it for the first time.
Click here for this cast iron dutch oven on Amazon.
Can You Use A Glass Dish To Bake A Cake?
The main thing to consider when baking a cake in a glass dish is if it's oven safe or not. Brands like Pyrex are made for temperatures up to 500 degrees so they are great for baking cakes and brownies. Keep in mind that your cake may cook a bit faster in glass than it will in a metal pan. Particularly at the top of the cake. So be sure to check with a cake tester about five minutes before the normal time to make sure it's not getting too dark.
Is It Better To Bake In Glass Or Metal?
If you ask most bakers, they're going to tell you metal is a better choice. It heats up faster which contributes to a faster rise and more even baking. The crisp lines of a metal pan also give a nicer aesthetic to a cake than glass pans do. Glass pans are also so much heavier than a nice aluminum baking pan and could break under the right circumstances.
A favored brand of an aluminum baking tray is NordicWare. This natural aluminum commercial bakeware is made of pure aluminum that will never rust. Baked goods rise and bake evenly due to aluminum's superior heat conductivity and the reinforced encapsulated steel rim prevents warping of the pan.
Click here for this covered 9x13 baking pan from NordicWare on Amazon.
What's The Best Casserole Dish For Baking A Cake?
When choosing a casserole dish for baking, you want something with good heat conductivity, even baking, and something that can withstand the heat of the oven. Pyrex dishes work well for baking sheet cakes if you keep in mind they make cook at slightly higher temperatures. Always check your cake about five minutes early when using glass bakeware.
Click here for this basic Pyrex casserole dish on Amazon.
Other great options are lovely ceramic baking dishes from companies like Le Creuset and Staub. These heavy-duty well-made dishes withstand the heat of the oven and are even attractive enough to serve food out of. Remember, they cook a little slower though, so be prepared to give your cake a few extra minutes.
This Staub casserole dish comes with a lid for versatility. The handles make it super easy to take your cake in and out of the oven with ease. Stoneware will not absorb moisture, diffuses heat gently, and retains heat exceptionally well. It's also really attractive and comes in a pretty cherry red along with this basil color.
Click here for this dish on Amazon.
In Summary
Casserole dishes are a versatile part of your kitchen's equipment. And when you're in a pinch and don't have a proper baking dish, they'll do just fine for baking cakes. We still recommend a proper baking pan if you can have both, but you can definitely bake your cake in your casserole dish.
If you enjoyed this post here at KitchenSeer.com, please visit a few others we think you'll like:
25 Types Of Baking Dishes You Need In Your Kitchen
What Can I Use Instead Of A Casserole Dish? (5 Alternatives)
