Can You Bake a Cake in a Glass Dish

So you’re about to bake a cake, only to find out that you don’t have a metal cake pan. Oh, no! Does this mean you’re destined for failure? Not exactly. If you own an oven-safe glass dish, you can successfully use it. Just reduce the temperature by 25F and you’ll be fine.

Hey, there! My name is Michelle and I am a self-taught baker with over ten years of experience in the kitchen. I have baked a few cakes in glass dishes in my lifetime, and I’m here to share how to do it successfully.

Baking a cake in a glass pan is simple. It’s just a tad bit trickier than using the infamous metal cake pan. Below, you will learn all there is to know about how to bake a cake in a glass dish (without the fear of broken glass shards all around your kitchen).

Let’s do some baking, shall we?

Can You Bake a Cake in a Glass Dish

The simple answer is yes and no. It solely depends on the type of glass dish you’re using. For example, you’ve likely heard of Pyrex glass dishes. These are specifically designed to handle high temperatures, low temperatures, and even the dishwasher.

But not all glass dishes are created equal. Some are not designed for the heat of an oven, especially the high temp that cakes can cook in. That said, double-check your product and make sure that it is 100% oven-safe. Otherwise, it could easily shatter.

How to Bake a Cake in a Glass Dish

There is one big issue when baking a cake in a glass dish: cakes bake faster, which means you’re going to end up with more browning. I highly doubt that you want your cake to be riddled with brown, burnt-looking sections, right?

There’s a way to counteract this. All you need to do is reduce the oven temperature by 25F. This will ensure that the cake bakes a little slower without browning. It will also encourage more even baking throughout the cake.  

Everything else is the same. You will start by adding your ingredients, mixing them, and pouring them into the greased glass baking dish. The only thing that changes is reducing the oven temperature.

Keep an eye on your cake when it’s baking in a glass dish. Even though you reduce the temperature, it still might bake faster than the recipe indicates. It could require more time to finish, too. 

When your cake is done, make sure to cool it on a cooling rack or quilted potholder. Never set the glass dish on anything wet, damp, or even cold. Extreme temperature changes can cause shattering, although most oven-safe glass dishes are built to withstand just about anything.

FAQs

With a few tweaks to your cake-baking routine and a trusty oven-safe glass dish on your side, you can bake a cake in a glass dish with no problem. If you still have some questions, though, keep reading. Below are some frequently asked questions worth checking out.

What happens if you bake a cake in a glass pan?

Glass is an insulator rather than a conductor. That said, it retains heat for longer, which can cause browning and uneven baking. That’s why it is so imperative to reduce the oven temperature by 25F and always keep an eye on the cake.

What temperature do you bake a cake in a glass pan?

When baking a cake in a glass dish, you’re going to want to stick to what the recipe says and reduce it by 25F. So, if your recipe states to bake the cake at 400F, you will set the oven to 375F instead. 

What can be used instead of cake tin?

If you do not own a cake pan or a glass dish, you still have one final option: the sheet pan. Yes, it’s a flat surface with slightly raised edges, but it will work just fine. Just make sure that the pan has raised edges that are at least an inch high. Otherwise, the batter won’t stay in place.

Can I bake a cake in a Pyrex dish?

Yes, in fact, I would recommend it. Pyrex is specifically designed to be oven safe and handles fairly extreme temperatures, some saying up to 500F. I would always err on the side of caution, though, and stick to lower temperatures if possible (and always 25F less than the recipe says).

FAQs

It’s perfectly a-okay to bake a cake in a glass dish as long as it is oven safe. Double-check your product and call the manufacturer if needed. When baking in a glass dish, always reduce the temperature by 25F to avoid dreaded browned areas and uneven baking.

Do you use glass dishes for baking cakes?

I have been a lover of sweets since day one. This led me on a self-taught baking journey starting at the age of 13. 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.