Descriptions and Capacity Sizes for Common Baking Dishes

Bakers who bake a lot know what pan or dish is used for what purpose. For those that don't bake as often may be unfamiliar with certain pan terminology or sizing. Here is a handy guide for all the basic pans and specialty pans used in holiday and special event baking. Volumes and equivalencies for alternatives are listed, too, in case there is a pan needed for a recipe not on hand. The volumes of the pans are not the same as baking sizes as certain batters may rise more than others.

Cake Pans

Cake pans come in all shapes and sizes, and are used for many other things besides basic cakes. Here are common sizing and batter volume amounts for cake pans most commonly used at home.

8 inch cake pan with a 1 to 2 inch height will hold about 4 cups. A 9 inch cake pan with the same height can hold around 6 cups. A square cake pan 9 inches in size and around 2 inches in height can hold around 10 cups. A rectangular baking pan that is 13 inches by 9 inches with a 2 inch height will hold around 12 cups.

Springform Pans

Springform pans are specialty cake pans with a removable side using a spring to latch it closed. The base is often used as a server as the cakes most commonly baked inside a springform pans are soft and will not handle being transferred to a cake plate, such as delicate tortes and cheesecakes. A typical 9 inch size springform pan with 3 inch sides will hold between 12 to 16 cups.

Ring Molds

Ring molds are great for using for baking quick breads and cakes, and also for using for gelatin salads and dessert mousses. Ring molds are made in a ring shape, and may have a flat or other shaped bottom to it. When inverted, the top of the mold takes on the shape of the bottom of the mold. A typical 9 inch ring mold will have a volume capacity of 6 to 8 cups.

Tube Pans

Tube pans are not the same as ring molds, as the tube pans have much higher sides, and can be very decorative in nature. Holiday and special occasion bundt pans are in this category, as are specialty angel food cake molds. A 7 to 8 inch tube pan will have a capacity of around 6 cups. A 9 inch angel food cake pan will have a capacity of around 10 to 12 cups. A 10 inch decorative tube pan will have a capacity of around 12 to 18 cups, depending on the decoration on the bottom and how high the sides are.