What kind of cakes can you you bake in a convection oven?

Do you want to bake your favorite cake recipe in a convection oven but aren’t sure whether it’s a good idea? While a “regular” conventional oven is the ideal choice, it’s still possible to create a beautiful and delicious cake in a convection oven. The key is to know how to accomplish it.

Hi! My name is Michelle, and one of my favorite things to bake is cakes. I like the fluffy texture as well as the variety of tastes and flavor combinations. That said, I have made cakes in everything you can imagine, from convection and conventional ovens to air fryers and crockpots.

Who’s ready to bake a cake in a convection oven?

What is a Convection Oven?

Before we begin, let’s look at some facts. After all, knowing what a convection oven is and how it works will give you a better understanding of why it’s not the prime option for baking cakes.

A convection oven is a type of oven that operates with a fan and exhaust system that circulates hot air throughout the entire oven, leaving no side untouched. It allows dishes to cook faster and more evenly, with excellent browning. Having said that, it’s ideal for roasting veggies and making pizzas.

Convection ovens operate at a greater temperature than “regular” conventional ovens – around 25F hotter.

Can You Bake a Cake in a Convection Oven?

Yes, you can bake a cake in a convection oven, to put it simply. But, it is significantly more difficult than baking in a regular oven. This is mostly because cake batters are light, and the circulation of hot air can flatten air bubbles and create a short, flat, and dense result.

Yet all hope is not gone. If you want to try your hand at baking a cake in a convection oven or simply don’t have the option to go the conventional route, you can still be successful. Nevertheless, you will need to change the manner you bake your cake.

This next section will show you how it’s done.

How to Bake a Cake in a Convection Oven

When it comes to baking, adaptability is essential, and everything is possible. With that in mind, you can successfully bake a cake in a convection oven – you just have to be extra careful about your steps.

1. Preheat the Convection Oven

Like with any other cake recipe, you should always begin by preheating the oven. The oven will be nice and hot and ready for your cake batter this way. Remember that convection ovens are hotter than conventional ovens.

Lower the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re baking extra-large cakes, you will want to reduce the temperature by an extra five or ten degrees – just to be on the safe side.

2. Mix, Pour and Place in the Oven

There are no modifications required for mixing and pouring. Follow the instructions as usual and pour the batter into the pan. However, when placing the pan into the oven, do not cover the cake with tinfoil (even if the recipe calls for it).

If you’re baking more than one cake, leave a 2-inch space on the edges of each pan to allow heat to flow effectively.

3. Bake with the Door Closed

Many people (including me) check on their cakes much more often than they should. This may be harmful to your cake in a convection oven with a lot of circulating heat. While using a convection oven, take particular caution not to open the oven door too often.

4. Check for Doneness and Remove from Oven

The absolute earliest you should check on your cake is around ten minutes before it’s supposed to be done. Use the oven light instead if you’re worried about your cake. Remember that smaller cakes cook quicker. Larger cakes may need to bake for the final ten minutes.

Insert a toothpick into the middle of the cake to check for doneness. The cake is done when the toothpick comes out clean. If there is batter on the toothpick, continue baking the cake until the timer goes off.

Benefits of Baking Cake in a Convection Oven

Many bakers believe that baking a cake in a convection oven is a recipe for disaster. Yet, this is not always the case. While it is far more challenging to bake a good cake in convection compared to conventional, there are a few benefits:

You can bake many cakes at once without worrying about one baking faster than the other.
Crusts can turn out crispier and flakier.
You do not need to be concerned about your cake being unevenly baked.

Convection cake baking is feasible, but not recommended. If you still have some prying questions about whether or not you can bake a cake in a convection oven, check out these frequently asked questions below.

Is it better to bake a cake in a convection oven?

No, a regular conventional oven is much superior than a convection oven for baking a cake. Conventional ovens are better suited for denser batters that need to rise and create a fluffy texture without crisping and browning.

What temperature do you bake a cake in a convection oven?

Since convection ovens run hotter than their conventional counterparts, it is important to reduce the temperature by at least 25F when baking a cake. For baking bigger cakes, you may wish to lower the temperature by 5 to 10 degrees.

How long does it take to cook a cake in a convection oven?

Cakes may bake faster in a convection oven than in a traditional oven, even when the temperature is reduced by 25F. That’s why you should check your cake 10 minutes before it’s meant to be done. By then, several tiny cakes will have been made.

Can I bake cake in convection mode?

Many conventional ovens have a convection mode, which is great for many recipes like pizzas and vegetables. It is not, however, the best option for the lightly-battered cake. It’s doable, but for the greatest results, I suggest staying with ordinary convention mode.

When should you not use a convection oven?

When baking any form of product that requires rising, such as cakes, it is recommended to avoid using convection. Nonetheless, certain pastries that need a flaky crust may be baked in a convection oven. To choose the optimum path for your baked products, stick to the recipe.

Final Thoughts

Convection ovens are good for many things, but they are not ideal for light batter cakes. Yet, this does not exclude you from using convection to bake a cake. If using convection, reduce the temperature, leave the cake uncovered, and check 10 minutes before.

Do you ever use a convection oven for baking a cake? How did things turn out? Please share your convection oven baking experiences in the comments section!

I’ve always been a sucker for sweets. Beginning at the age of 13, I embarked on a self-taught baking adventure. It’s been over 10 years since the start of my baking adventures, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Now, people rave about my delectable treats, whether it’s a chocolate cake or a strawberry crepe.