So you created a cake that just came out of the oven looking great (yeah!). The only issue is that you must decorate it.now! There is no time to sit about and let it cool for hours; that cake has a deadline and it must wait.
So, what can you do if you need to fast chill a cake? It’s time to find out!
Contents
- 1 – Take the Cake Out of the Pan
- 2 – Use a Cooling Rack
- 3 – Cut the Cake
- 4 – Use the Fridge or Freezer
- The Best Way to Cool a Cake (When You’re Not Short on Time)
- Cool That Cake!
- FAQs
- Can I put a cake in the fridge to cool faster?
- How do you cool down a cake after baking?
- Can you put a cake straight in the fridge?
- How long does a cake take to cool in the fridge?
- How do you cool a cake ASAP?
- Can I cool a cake in the fridge before frosting?
- Should you cool cakes in pan or on rack?
- How long do you let a cake cool before flipping?
- Should you cover cake while cooling?
- Should I put cake in fridge immediately after baking?
1 – Take the Cake Out of the Pan
The first step in allowing your cake to cool rapidly is to remove it from the hot pan (unless you’re using one of my pan-free baking methods). Even though the cake has been removed from the oven, the pan it is in is extremely hot.
Cake pans really hold a lot of heat and do not allow any cold air to reach the cake.
Take the cake out of the pan (try one of my methods if it’s stuck), moving it away from the hot metal and allowing some cold air to get to the cake itself.
However, it is not as simple as just turning the cake out of the pan as soon as it comes out of the oven. If you do this, the cake may quickly crack and break apart when you turn the pan upside down. Nobody wants a shattered cake!
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for ten minutes after it comes out of the oven. Then, immediately on top of the cake, set a plate or cake board. Turn the pan over, enabling the plate or cake board to catch and keep the cake together.
Remove the cake pan by gently pulling it straight up from the cake. Tada! Hot pan, out!
2 – Use a Cooling Rack
Using a cooling rack to assist chill your cake can certainly speed up the process. When you place a cake on a plate or cake board to cool, all that heat covers, traps, and sticks to the bottom of the cake!
A cooling rack elevates the cake off the table, allowing cold air to reach every portion of the cake. This is a quick and easy approach to help your cake cool quicker.
Cooling racks are inexpensive and widely available on Amazon. This specific set appeals to me since it is strong duty (stainless steel), can tolerate high heat (for more than simply cooling), and is available in a variety of sizes.
3 – Cut the Cake
Cutting a cake is one of the quickest methods to chill it. If you’re going to stuff the cake with icing or a yummy filling, you’ll have to cut it anyhow, so why not do it now?
When you slice the cake horizontally to prepare it for filling later, you enable cold air to contact more of the cake. Instead of one thick cake with the heat trapped within the dense core, you now have numerous thinner layers of cake.
Cut the cake gently with a serrated knife, which will not tear the delicate warm cake but will easily saw through it.
Going slowly is essential! If you cut the cake too quickly, you risk ripping the delicate new pastry. Once the layers are sliced, place them on a cooling rack to cool and your cake slices will be ready in no time!
If you are not going to stuff your cake, you may still chop off the top to release some trapped steam and allow the cake to cool quicker. You may also enjoy the warm, delectable cake top–sounds like a win-win situation!
4 – Use the Fridge or Freezer
One of the most typical methods for swiftly chilling a cake is to place it in the fridge or freezer while it is still warm. Of course, this will help your cake cool quicker!
However, bear in mind that although the top of the cake may be cold to the touch, the core of the cake may still be rather hot.
To expedite the chilling process, place the cake in the refrigerator or freezer with the other cooling techniques. This entails removing the cake from the hot pan and placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
Then, carefully slice the cake and place it back in the freezer. Place the cake on a cooling rack and allow it to cool to room temperature. As you can see, all of the approaches may coexist!
If you placed a cake in the fridge or freezer, don’t forget about it! Unwrapped cakes in the freezer may soon dry up, causing a whole other set of issues.
Cooling a cake in the fridge or freezer immediately after it comes out of the oven may also modify the crumb texture.
Yes, the fridge and freezer may help, but don’t keep your cake in there for too long or you’ll end up with a cake that’s frozen on the exterior but heated in the center!
The Best Way to Cool a Cake (When You’re Not Short on Time)
It is useful to know the best approach to chill a cake when you are not in a hurry. Allow the cake to cool for an hour or two after it comes out of the oven.
The cake should then be turned out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
In the morning, you’ll have a wonderfully cooled cake with the texture of dreams.
Okay, we don’t always have a full day to allow cakes to chill. When you do, though, utilize this tried and proven strategy and you will not be disappointed!
Cool That Cake!
You are now well-versed in methods for fast cooling your cake. So, the next time you’re in a hurry and need that cake to cool quickly, you know what to do!
Remove it from the pan, slice it, place it on a cooling rack, and store it in the fridge or freezer–sounds simple enough, right?
The apparent next step once your cake has cooled is to store it. So be sure to read my cake storage instructions to keep your cake fresh.
FAQs
Can I put a cake in the fridge to cool faster?
The refrigerator and freezer are the quickest ways to chill a cake. Use the refrigerator only for brief periods of time, since too much time inside might dehydrate your dessert in only a few days. Freezers do not have the same issue. Before keeping your cakes in any location, cover them with plastic wrap.
How do you cool down a cake after baking?
Remove the cake from the oven and cool for 15 minutes in the pan on a cooling rack. With a butter knife or tiny flat spatula, loosen the edges of the cake from the pan. Remove the cake from the oven and lay it straight on a cooling rack to cool entirely.
Can you put a cake straight in the fridge?
Yes, you may place the cake in the refrigerator to chill after temporarily cooling it on the counter (approximately 5 to 10 minutes). If you don’t allow the cake to cool somewhat outside of the fridge first, it may sink in the centre or adhere firmly to the edges of its pan.
How long does a cake take to cool in the fridge?
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before moving it to a cooling rack to cool completely. It takes around an hour to chill in the fridge and about half an hour to cold in the freezer.
How do you cool a cake ASAP?
How Do You Quickly Cool a Cake?
After 10 minutes, remove the cake from the pan and lay it straight on a cooling tray.
Slice your cake. More layers equals more air, which causes your cake to cool quicker.
Place your cake in the refrigerator or freezer!
Can I cool a cake in the fridge before frosting?
“Completely prepare, bake, and cool the cake.” “Then, tightly wrap each cake layer in cling film and place in the fridge for at least two hours,” he explains. Yes, you will not be icing your cake at room temperature; a refrigerated cake is required before adding any frosting.This is the most critical phase.
Should you cool cakes in pan or on rack?
Cakes and other baked items should be allowed to cool in their pans on a wire rack for approximately 10 minutes. Because the cake is so sensitive, removing it from the pan soon after baking might cause it to stick or fall apart.
How long do you let a cake cool before flipping?
Allow to cool before flipping
When you take your cake out of the oven, don’t immediately turn it out of the pan! Instead, leave the cake in the pan for 10 minutes to cool. Invert the pan by laying the wire rack over the base of the cake.
Should you cover cake while cooling?
You must do this as soon as the cakes come out of the oven, or else they will get mushy. Immediately after, wrap the cakes in plastic wrap and set aside to cool. If you have a faulty recipe or over-baked your cakes, this will not save them from becoming dry.
Should I put cake in fridge immediately after baking?
You should also chill the heated cake for about twenty minutes before wrapping and storing it at room temperature. This helps to harden the frosting and keep it intact throughout the wrapping procedure.