How to Release a Stuck Cake From a Pan

Picture this: You've mixed the ultimate vanilla cake batter or a fudgy, decadent devil's food cake, poured it into the cake pan, slid said pan onto the oven rack, and set the timer. When the cake is baked and has cooled a little, it's time to release it from the cake pan. You flip the cake pan over onto a platter or cake stand and expect the cake to slide out seamlessly—but it doesn't budge. Maybe you give it a pat or two to try to encourage it to fall gracefully, but it still resists. This scenario is every cake baker's worst nightmare—but it can be remedied if you know how to get a stuck cake out of a Bundt pan.

Ahead, we're explaining how to prevent this dreadful situation and what to do when you find yourself, well, stuck.

Start by Using the Right Pan

Before you even start baking a cake, consider the pan you have on hand. It's best to use one with a nonstick finish, which will help release the cake with ease. Luckily, most cake pans (including Bundt cake pans) have a nonstick coating, so it should be easy to find one.

On that note, if your cake pan has scratches from natural wear and tear, it might be time for a replacement. The nonstick feature relies on a smooth, slick surface, so any abrasions or scratches may increase the risk of sticking.

How to Properly Grease a Cake Pan

In order to prevent a cake from sticking to a pan, start by properly and thoroughly greasing the cake pan—even if it's a nonstick piece. "Grease and line your pans—this is your insurance policy," says Odette Williams, baker, writer, and author of Simple Cake: All You Need to Keep Your Friends and Family in Cake. "If you do this, you shouldn't have an issue."

There are so many different nonstick options on the market—from cake liners to baking spray—but Williams prefers the old-fashioned method of using butter and parchment paper.

Butter and Parchment Paper Method

She starts by greasing the pan with butter and then cuts a piece of parchment that is slightly smaller than the size of the pan you're baking with. Place the parchment inside the greased pan and tuck it in so that it is flush with the bottom of the cake pan. With this so-called insurance policy in place, you should never experience a cake sticking to a pan again.

Butter and Flour Method

For a Bundt cake pan, our food editors recommend greasing it first generously with softened butter and then an even coating of flour.

It's also important to let the cake fully cool before trying to remove it from the pan. If it still feels warm to the touch, it will be more susceptible to breaking while you are flipping it onto a stand or platter. Make sure that it has cooled fully (this could take up to an hour) before trying to transfer it.

How to Get a Stuck Cake Out of a Pan

It's happened to the best of us—so what do you do when a cake is stuck to the pan? Williams recommends running a butter knife around the perimeter of the dessert, gently pressing into the cake to lift it off the edges and center before inverting it. This is especially useful when working with a Bundt cake pan that has lots of nooks and crannies where the cake can potentially get stuck. "Once you go to invert the cake, make the distance from the pan to stand as short as possible to avoid breakage," she says. You can also tap the pan to help separate the cake.

If the cake breaks as you're transferring it, stop moving it and grab a spatula to help gently lift the cake. If it still shows signs of breakage, Williams recommends using a fluffy buttercream to seal the cracks and conceal what's underneath. "Garnish with fresh edible flowers that make it look like it's intentional," she says.