by Barbara Crow on October 17, 2009
Cake tins have been around for a very long time and are a basic useful tool for the baker. The cake tin is usually made of metal, glass or more recently they are made of plastic molds made to withstand high oven temperatures. All forms are equally useful for the purpose of baking a cake as well as other things such as making candy or even for making a meatloaf or casserole, however one person may prefer one style over another for their own reasons. Whichever type of cake tin you choose it is equally important to ensure that the cake is easy to remove from the tin onto a tin cake carrier, dish, platter or some other thing on which you can display your creation. Using a spring form cake tin allows you to remove the cake by pushing up on the bottom of the cake tin to clear it from the sides of the pan. You can use cake tin liners specially made to put on the bottom of the cake tin so that the underside of the cake doesn’t stick to the cake tin.
Basic shapes for baking a cake are the round cake tins, square cake tins, oval and oblong cake tins and bundt cake tins , however other novelty cake tins can be found such as: “number” cake tins, wedding cake tins, heart shaped cake tins, a train cake tin, a car cake tin, a teddy bear cake tin, a butterfly cake tin, an Elmo cake tin or Mickey mouse cake tin and many more shapes, some as exotic as a monkey cake tin or a dinosaur cake tin or even a pig cake tin. You can also buy a cake in a tin ready to eat or send or give to someone else.
If you cannot find the specific shape of cake tin you want you could try crafting one of your own styles by using the basic cake tins. For instance you could cut two square cakes of different flavors into smaller squares, putting them back together as one larger cake alternating the flavored squares and then using an icing that compliments both cake flavors ,or you could bake a cake in a bundt cake tin and insert a plastic Barbie doll in it after it cools and then decorating the cake as a formal dress. Little girls just love this one and it is so easy to do! Also using the bundt cake tin you could decorate it as a lady bug by icing the cake red and then using sugar gummy pieces for the dots, jelly beans for the eyes and licorice for the antennae. Little boys really like this one!
Special care should be given to the finished cake to keep it fresh. You might want to consider purchasing one of a number of cake storage tins, such as a mini cake tin, cup cake tins, or perhaps one of the decorative cake tins specifically made to store cakes in and/or give them as gift.
Fruit cakes should be either purchased ready made or placed into a fruit cake tin after preparing so that the ripening process of the fruit is not compromised and it stays fresh and moist.
Cake tins of varying prices can be found at most craft stores or by looking in your local phone book for local cake/baking supply stores. The tins may also be ordered online, however be sure to plan well ahead to allow time for shipping and delivery.
GOOD LUCK & DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS CAKE TINS BEFORE THEY ARE ALL SOLD OUT!!!
by Barbara Crow on October 28, 2009
The terms cake tins and cake pans are very often used interchangeably. In fact a cake tin is the decorative container used to put the cake in after it is baked and a cake pan is used to cook the batter in. Many companies make and/or sell them both.
There are several companies that make cake tins and cake pans as well as supplies, cook books and some even offer cooking classes. Some of the largest and best known:
Nordic Ware began operations in 1946 in Minneapolis, Minnesota as a family-owned American Company and remains so today. They offer products made of non-stick cast-aluminum that carry a lifetime warranty. Nordic Ware proudly states that it prides itself on making long-lasting products. In the more than 60 years of operation it has become well known for their Bundt Pan. It is estimated that there are more than 60 million Bundt pans in homes and businesses in America at present with more being sold every day. Bundt pans are so well known that during his term as Governor Tim Pawlenty proclaimed Wednesday November 15, 2006 as Bundt Day in Minnesota.
Wilton is the older of the two. It has been in operation for over 80 years and proclaims itself as the industry leader for all things related to cake making. They offer a vast array cookware, decorating supplies and classes for the baker. Many of their pans are cast aluminum non-stick which they proudly advertise are made in the USA.
Wilton products can be found in most places that sell cake supplies and in some bakeries.
Holiday Tins and Containers is located in Bellaire, Texas and is an online source for multi-purpose tins for cakes, cookies, nuts and popcorn ranging in size from. Their products range in size up to 6.5 Gallon. They also offer customizing of their products.
Independent Can Company is a family owned and operated business founded in 1929. The first can was used for hold lard for a meat packing plant. It Originated in Baltimore, Maryland. However, through acquisitions they now have operations in several locations. It now produces a large selection of metal cans and tins for both consumables and non-edible items. Decorative tins began being produced in 1993
Blue Shoots LTD is a family-owned online business based in London, England that sells very high quality cookware known throughout the world. They are noted for anodized bakeware. Their silicone products are popular because of their non-stick odor-free properties and they are dishwasher safe. The silver anodized bakeware is a very popular commercial choice because of its ability to evenly distribute heat for cooking and it is non-stick.
Other supplier lines that they carry are:
Analon Bakers Pride Chicago Metalic
Eddingtons Farington James Oliver
LeCreuset Masterclass Mermaid
Silverwood Stellar Tefal
Viners
They also carry accessories such as cooling racks, rolling pins, icing sets, cake testers, pastry brushes and Yorkshire Pudding Pans.
Williams-Sonoma Bakeware Is commercial quality bakeware and accessories that are made in the USA.
HSN is a popular televised shopping show that promotes cookware for famous chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and others.
