why do angel food cake pans have feet

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

Angel food cake doesn’t require many ingredients. To get the perfect fluffy texture and flavor, you need to follow the exact recipe. That means no swapping cake flour for whole wheat flour or cutting down on eggs.

The perfect egg temperature for angel food cake is about 60 degrees. Eggs that are too cold won’t whip as well, so take a dozen eggs out of the refrigerator about an hour before you bake.

Many angel food pans have little legs on top, to support them while the cake cools. If your pan doesn’t have legs, you turn it upside down, amd put the end of the inner tube over a bottle. Once the cake is fully cooled, it will support itself when you remove it from the pan.
why do angel food cake pans have feet

Not Whipping the Egg Whites Correctly

Without yeast to act as a leavening agent, an angel food cake relies completely on the egg whites to rise. You want to whip the whites just until they form soft peaks; whipping too much will make the cake chewy and dense. (No good!) By the way, check out these dreamy desserts you can make with angel food cake, too.

why do angel food cake pans have feet

When you go to dump the dry ingredients into your egg whites, it’s tempting to start stirring, the same way you would with any other cake batter. But instead, fold the flour into the whites, gently turning the mixture over with a rubber spatula.

New to this technique? Learn how to fold ingredients (it’s easy!).

why do angel food cake pans have feet

Sounds crazy, but it’s true! In order for the angel food cake to rise properly, it needs to be able to cling to the sides of the pan. If your pan is greased, the batter won’t be able to do that.

why do angel food cake pans have feet

Not Using a Special Angel Food Cake Pan

If you’re serious about angel food cake, you need to invest in the proper mold like this angel food cake pan. Making this cake in a regular cake tin or even a Bundt pan will not yield the same airy results.

why do angel food cake pans have feet

We’re all guilty of this one. You want to check on the cake so you open the oven door every couple of minutes… but those changes in temperature can cause your cake to cook unevenly or even collapse. If you’re really tempted to peek while making this chocolate angel cake, use the oven light.

why do angel food cake pans have feet

Equipment Expert’s Top Pick for Tube Pans

FAQ

What are the feet on a tube pan for?

Once the cake is out of the oven, invert the pan, and let it cool upside down. This is why tube pans often have removable bottoms and “feet”—they prevent the delicate cake from collapsing and make it much easier to remove the cake from the pan after it cools.

How do you cool an angel food cake in a pan without feet?

Unfooted Pan: If your tube pan does not have feet, invert the pan onto the neck of a glass bottle and let it cool that way. When ready to serve, first run a knife around the edge of the cake and turn it out onto a serving dish or plate. Then, run a knife around the bottom and release.

What is special about an angel food cake pan?

Originally Answered: Why is angels food cake made in a special pan? The tube pan both confines the batter to a narrow circle so it will rise properly, and allows heat to penetrate the center of the cake, so it will cook all the way through and set.

Leave a Comment