Is a 9×13 cake too big for your family? Or, do you want a shape that is prettier to serve or easier to display on the counter? Try this!
We all love the ease of a no-mixer 9×13 cake. But in my family, we don’t usually finish a full 9×13 of cake before it goes stale. And there’s the added problem of how on earth do you keep a 9×13 cake on the counter in a way that looks neat and inviting?
I had a similar problem when I was regularly making sourdough focaccia in a 9×13 pan (specifically this USA Pan which is highly recommended for focaccia) but we didn’t need that much bread each time.
I came across these Pullman loaf pans which are 4×13 – almost exactly half a 9×13!
So instead of making one focaccia board, I split the dough into two narrower ones. (I actually like to double the recipe and make one 9×13 and 2 4x13s at a time. Like that there are options in the freezer.) Note that these pans should be sprayed well so they come out easily.
And this led to the solution of the too-much-cake problem.
Why not just make a 9×13 cinnamon swirl cake into two long loaf cakes?
Less waste AND it fits into a loaf shaped cake dome, such as this type from Waterdale or this type from Amazon.
I baked these loaf pan-sized cakes for about 7 minutes less than I would a full size cake and they were perfect. Best part? One for now, one for the freezer!
If you still want to serve a whole 9×13 cake, but you want it to simply look nicer, you can also bake a whole 9×13 cake recipe in one 4×13 pan and have a tall loaf cake, instead of a flatter loaf that’s just half a 9×13.
Because this pan has higher sides, it can fit the full amount of this marble cake batter.
You can also take advantage of this loaf pan idea using disposable pans! 5 lb loaf pan like these (available in most groceries) fits a 9×13 cake batter perfectly, and comes out much prettier than it does in a 9×13. Want to make 2 smaller cakes? Use the 3 lb size loaf pans.
I’ve been doing this for years! My regular 8 egg cake recipes get divided in 2 three pound pans. This way I end up having a variety of cakes available in my freezer all the time. Marble, brownie, sponge… another bonus to making loaf pan cakes, it fits on the door of the freezer! Also, no cake ends stay left over in the pan.
Do all your 9×13 recipes work this way? 7 min less for smaller cakes and how much time for loaf cakes?
Always test the cake with a toothpick. I actually bake my cakes for an hour, and sometimes need five more minutes.
Yes, regular timing for whole 9×13 cake recipes in one 4×13 pan. Every oven is different, though…
How do you clean these pans?
And regular baking sheets?
I’ve been doing this for a while now, too, and I love the practicality of it. I purchased these loaf pans which come 2 in a pack, and they work great. https://amzn.to/3TW4IS9
I also purchased the lucite cake holder that Amazing Savings carries, which is a much cheaper option.
I’ve been doing this for years!!! I also split a 9×13 recipe into 3 2lb disposable pans, that works too. I would imagine it would work for any cake except for something super delicate, but those wouldnt usually be in a 9×13 anyways (thinking angel cake). Or a Pesach-type cake with tons of whipped egg whites – those I wouldnt divide. But any regular one should work. I do chocolate, marble, honey, cinnamon, choc chip, etc
Been doing this for a long time also. This Wilton pan on Amazon fits a 9×13 recipe beautifully, and fits into the long, rectangular Amazing Saving lucite holder. You don’t need to worry about it being too high or too low, or dividing the cake into 2 pans. Gorgeous on the counter.
I know it’s not the point of the article but what is the recipe for the marble cake that’s pictured – it looks so good!
Yes! Agree! Totally making it this week.
But, in a Bundt pan… I know that isn’t the point of the article but I have a nice gray and domed cover and I like to use it.
It’s this cake, on our site :] and written in the post :]
Hi the marble cake looks fabulous but I’m not able to access the recipe through the post it keeps coming back to this loaf pan post…
Here is the marble cake recipe link :]
I second BR! I use that pan often
I have been baking most of my Bundt pan recipes in 2 3 pound disposable pans.
every few weeks I bake 4 different cake recipes and i have 8 cakes for my freezer!
stop making 9×13” cakes, and throwing out half of it. Make these loaf pans(I used disposable, and needed a little over an hour in the oven) and the compliments keep coming! Thank you, between carpools, for simplifying my life!!!!!