How Long Does It Take To Bake A Cake?

Baking is a beloved occupation and hobby for many people around the world; from home bakers to professional bakers who work in bakeries and restaurants.

Of all the baked goods that can be made at home, be store-bought, or consumed in bakery shops, the one that belongs to the top of everyone’s list is cake. 

From sponge cakes to velvet cakes and from Victoria cakes to birthday cakes, there’s something for every palate.

While we all enjoy devouring them, not all of us have made one by ourselves. So, if it is time for you to make your first cake ever, you are probably wondering how long it will take for you to bake it.

You’ve come to the right place for the answer, so keep on reading this article as we answer your question and others you might have.

Baking: Definition

It might be too obvious, but you will be surprised by how many people lack this sort of knowledge. So let’s start from the beginning.

Baking is a food preparation method that utilizes convectional heat instead of thermal radiation. Alternatively, baking can be done on heated stones or ashes.

Of all the baked goods, bread is the one that’s baked most regularly, but there are plenty of other baking products that several households prepare on a daily basis, like pies. 

When baking things like cakes, cookies, and bread, center-to-surface thermal transmission occurs.

When a cake batter or cookie dough is heated, it turns into a baked, sweet treat with a crispy, crusty top and a soft center.

How Long Will It Take To Make A Homemade Cake?

We would say that it depends on the cake you want to make, but usually, it will take you no more than 40 minutes.

Baking cakes from scratch should never take more than an hour because all of the ingredients are readily available and can be used right away.

This means that you are saving a lot of prepping time like the one you would need to prepare, for example, a chicken pie, where you’d have to first cook the chicken separately before shaping the pie.

Baking Times Based On The Appliance Used

Gas Oven

In a gas oven, the baking duration might range from 15 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the type of the cake and the capacity of the pan.

Electric Oven

The timing will be the same as that of an electric oven. You will be guided by the recipe’s instructions.

Air Fryer

Moreover, in most cases, a cake cooked in an air fryer will take about 25 minutes to half an hour when you bake it at 320°F.

Oven Toaster

The baking time is similar to an oven toaster, where 20 to 25 minutes should be enough. However, to make sure that the cake is thoroughly baked, its top should ideally be bouncing when you touch it.

In addition to that, you should pin it with a fork or skewer; if it comes out clean, then your cake is ready.

Tips For Baking A Cake

• Prior to actually preheating your stove, properly read the recipe’s instructions. Your baking powder might just have “mysteriously” transformed into sodium bicarbonate, or vice versa. Reading the recipe thoroughly before proceeding with the preparations is the best way to make sure your cake will be a success.
• Take your time measuring your ingredients. A tasty cake requires the appropriate chemical interactions. It isn’t like a soup; adding a mix of ingredients with some or too much water will not work. But if you want your cake to be awful, then you’re probably on the right path.
• Nothing destroys a beautiful cake like part of it clinging to the pan. Make sure to butter and flour the pan as indicated in the recipe. However, you should not stress if your cake does, after all, stay on the pan. If it’s just fouled up in only some areas, you can sweep it under the carpet with icing. Alternatively, call it a trifle and serve it accordingly!
• Bright and darkish metal pans do not cook in the same way. The outer edges of the cakes cook quicker in darker pans than in the shining ones. While using a dark metal pan, reduce the oven temperature by 25 ℉.
• Ensure the baking pans are not contacting one another or the oven sidewalls. Because of the additional heat, some sections of the pan may cook faster. Ensure you have enough room in the oven for the cake to cook without contacting other things.
• Let the cake cool thoroughly as that will help make the frosting process simpler. The more the cake is left to set, the less likely it is to crumble when being frosted. A cool cake stays put easier, so cover it in cling film and place it in the freezer for half an hour to 45 minutes before adding the icing.
• Preserve the cake as directed per the recipe. A cake with whipped cream or buttery icing must be kept in the fridge. However, a refrigerated cake will dry up quickly, so consume it as soon as possible. A cake made in a glassware container is best stored on the kitchen countertop.
• If you want to cut your cake, the layers will also freeze great. Wrap each layer individually in cling film. Following that, put the cake layers in airtight ziplock bags. The sweetness of the unfrosted layer will last a minimum of 90 days. 
• If you want to cut your cake, the layers will also freeze great. Wrap each layer individually in cling film. Following that, put the cake layers in airtight ziplock bags. The sweetness of the unfrosted layer will last a minimum of 90 days. 3 months.
• If you want to store an already frosted cake in the freezer, lay it on a foil-lined baking sheet in the freezer. It should be frozen for at least eight hours or longer. Cover it with cling film after it is frozen solid. Fill a freezer bag or container halfway with the covered cake.

The Bottom Line

So, there you have it!

Baking a cake in any appliance should not take longer than 40 minutes. However, follow our advice and check your cake to make sure that it is thoroughly baked before serving it or adding the frosting!