5 Best Cheesecake Pans For Awe-Inspiring Bakes posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Springform pans are definitely the most modern iteration of the cheesecake pan. In fact, the first one was used around 1970, and it did not become widely known until a 1980 New York Times article introduced it to the world. After that article was published, the popularity of the pans exploded, and for a good reason—the springform pan single-handedly eliminates what was by far the hardest step of cheesecake prep. It can be used for other kinds of cakes, too, and it’s one of the few modern-day innovations in baking that I really love. Because of my passion for the springform pan, I’ve written up this guide that explains why springform pans are so great, answers some commonly asked questions about springform pans, and even lets the reader in on some of the best springform pan models on the market. Table of ContentsWhat Is A Springform Pan (And Do You Need One)?What Is The Best Pan To Make Cheesecake In?What Is A Springform Pan?What Is Special About A Springform Pan?What To Look For In A Springform PanBest Cheesecake Pans1. Overall: Nordic Ware 9-inch Leakproof2. 7-inch: Nordic Ware Leakproof3. Budget: Hiwire Cheesecake Pan4. Retro: Springform Pan5. Mini: Mini Cheesecake PanCheesecake RecipesCheesecake Pan FAQ What Is A Springform Pan (And Do You Need One)? What Is The Best Pan To Make Cheesecake In? Good quality springform pans are definitely the best cheesecake pans since they make the final steps of the cooking process so much easier. Any round cake pan can technically be used to bake a cheesecake, but a springform pan is just much easier to get good results with. What Is A Springform Pan? A springform pan is a cake pan that comes in two pieces: the bottom of the pan and the sides of the pan. When a springform pan is taken out of the box, the sides will be firmly attached to the bottom. If you unclasp a buckle located on one of the sides, however, the side piece will loosen just a tad and you can slide it up from the bottom piece. Springform pans are made of metal and are generally round, though they sometimes come in other shapes. What Is Special About A Springform Pan? The ability to slide the sides off a springform pan comes in handy when you’ve cooked a delicate cake and want to release it from the pan without flipping it over like you have to do with traditional cake pans. Instead, you can simply unclip the buckle and lift the side piece off. The bottom will then act as a cake tray. The pans are most popular to use with cheesecakes and other baked goods that you can’t flip. That may be due to the fact that the cake is simply too delicate and will likely fall apart if flipped. It may also be because the cake was baked with a soft layer on top that would be crushed if it were forced to support the rest of the cake’s weight. What To Look For In A Springform Pan If you are looking through springform pan buying options yourself, be sure to consider each of the following aspects in the models you look at. Size The standard size for a springform pan is a round pan with a 9” diameter and sides that are 3” tall. This is the size assumed by most springform pan recipes. Of course, you may want to get something larger if you plan to bake for more than five or six people. In that case, you’ll be able to add a few minutes to your cooking times. Material There are two main materials used to make springform pans: metal and silicone. I prefer silicone, because metal pans often imbue cakes baked in them with a slight metallic flavor. Silicone is also easier to store and is naturally non-stick. Additionally, both types are sometimes available with glass bases. You should definitely look for a glass base model, because glass is easier to cut your cake on after it is done and looks nicer too. Sliding Action Springform pans are one of the only baking supplies with moving parts you need to consider. Check that the hinge on the model you’re looking at moves smoothly and easily, and that the unhinged side piece slides off the base easily Tightness You want to make sure that when the buckle on the side piece is fastened, your batter won’t leak. If you can, pour a bit of thick liquid with the consistency of batter into the pan and see if it leaks out before buying. Color A darker color of metal or silicone will cook cakes faster. Darker colors are the standard for most springform pan recipes. Non-Stick Make sure the cake will not stick to the pan when you try to slide the side piece off. If you’re buying a metal pan, it should be treated with a non-stick coating that can withstand high heats. Silicone springform pans are naturally non-stick. Best Cheesecake Pans I’ve spent a lot of time looking for the best springform cheesecake pans out there, and I’ve settled on the five in the table below. Each model listed has been assigned a “best of” category to help you find the best one for you. Below the table, I’ve written a bit about each cheesecake pan to explain why it’s one of the best. Best OfNamePrice ($-$$$$$)DiameterOverall[amazon link=”B000237FSA” link_icon=”none” title=”Nordic Ware 9 inch Leakproof” /]$$9”7-Inch[amazon link=”B000237FS0″ link_icon=”none” title=”Nordic Ware Leakproof” /]$$7”Budget[amazon link=”B01N349SON” link_icon=”none” title=”Hiware Cheesecake Pan” /]$9”RetroSpringform Pan$$9”MiniMini Cheesecake Pan$$$2” NOTE: Although I normally prefer silicone springform pans, you’ll notice that all of the models on this list are made from metal. That’s because, when they’re made very well, metal springform pans are the best of all. Unfortunately, a lot of manufacturers use low-quality metals because it’s extremely inexpensive. 1. Overall: Nordic Ware 9-inch Leakproof by [amazon link=”B000237FSA” link_icon=”none” title=”Nordic Ware” /] [amazon fields=”B000237FSA” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Nordic Ware Springform Pan 10 Cup, 9 Inch, Charcoal”] This is my favorite springform pan of all time because of how good it is at preventing leaks. 99% of Springform pans leak a little bit when you fill them with a runny batter. This one, though, is solid. Unless the buckle on the side is unclipped, it performs almost exactly like a traditional cake pan. The material is awesome, too. It’s composed of black carbon-plated steel, one of the most durable metals used in cookware. It helps keep the pan from degrading over time and losing its leakproof properties. The steel is coated in a non-stick sheen that works amazingly well and has a high heat tolerance. I’d recommend this model to absolutely anyone looking for a good cheesecake pan or a springform pan for other cakes. 2. 7-inch: Nordic Ware Leakproof by [amazon link=”B000237FS0″ link_icon=”none” title=”Nordic Ware” /] [amazon fields=”B000237FS0″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Nordic Ware 51842 Leakproof Springform Pan, 7 Inch, Charcoal”] This model is simply a smaller version of the Nordic Ware pan I mentioned above. A two-inch difference may not seem like a big deal, but it is: this smaller model only holds 4 cups rather than 10. If you want to quickly whip up something for yourself or for just a few people, doing it in this size pan is much easier, quicker, and less of a commitment than the full-size 9-inch version. Plus, this one is lighter and easier to store—especially if you also have the 9-incher and you can nest it inside. 3. Budget: Hiwire Cheesecake Pan by [amazon link=”B01N349SON” link_icon=”none” title=”Hiware” /] [amazon fields=”B01N349SON” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Hiware Cheesecake Pan”] For those who are looking to get something as cheap as possible but still high-quality, this cheesecake pan is the way to go. It isn’t going to wow you with any gimmicky features, but it has a high heat resistance (up to 450 degrees), the non-stick coating works well, and the sliding action of the buckle is smooth. It’s a good size, too. The pan comes with 50 pieces of parchment paper. Which is a good thing, because the pan is not as leak-proof as the manufacturers would have you believe. Lining it with parchment paper (which, honestly, is a good idea with any cake can) will help to make up for that flaw. 4. Retro: Springform Pan by King Arthur Baking Almost all springform cheesecake pans are a shade of silver, so this fire engine red-colored model has a refreshingly retro feel to it. The brightly-colored pan looks great sitting out on the counter, as long as it goes with the kitchen’s design theme. I also love how durable the pan is. It’s made from heavyweight aluminum, which is actually lighter than most metals but is extremely durable. It’s freezer-safe, oven-safe, and can withstand sudden and radical changes in temperature. King Arthur is so confident in its structural integrity, in fact, that they include a 10-year warranty. 5. Mini: Mini Cheesecake Pan by Sur La Table This one’s not technically a springform pan, but the small muffin tin-like indents work in a similar way. Besides, it is the best pan I know of for making mini cheesecakes. Each of the twelve 2” diameter idents in the pan has a removable bottom that fits over the lip at the bottom of the indent. When you are done baking the cakes in the pan, you can push up on the bottom of each indent to release the cake inside. It’s a brilliant design, and it was just too good to leave off a list about cheesecake pans. Mini cheesecakes are a real crowd pleaser, and this pan makes the perfect quantity of them to make your next dinner party’s dessert a huge hit. Cheesecake Recipes Once you get ahold of the perfect cheesecake pan, the next step is to get cooking! Here are some of my personal favorite cheesecake recipes: Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce Get the Recipe Copycat Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake Get the Recipe New York Style Cheesecake Get the Recipe White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe Get the Recipe Cheesecake Pan FAQ Finally, let’s answer some common questions about cheesecake prep that will make your baking experience as smooth as possible. What oven setting is best for cheesecake? Most cheesecake cooks best at a temperature of around 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, if you’re following a recipe that specifies a different temperature, go with that instead.The target internal temperature for the cheesecake is 150-155 degrees. What is the best size springform pan for cheesecake? There is no “best size,” although a round springform pan with a 9-10” diameter is the standard size that many recipes call for. As long as your cheesecake ends up reaching an internal temperature of 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit, though, any size works well. Is there a springform pan that doesn’t leak? No springform pan stays leak-proof forever, but there are a few models that stay leakproof for at least a while after you buy them new. My favorite is the nine inch [amazon link=”B000237FSA” link_icon=”none” title=”Nordic Ware Leakproof” /]. How do you keep water from seeping into a springform pan? It’s common knowledge that the best way to bake a cheesecake evenly and ensure it stays moist is by using a water bath. In other words, fill a large baking pan with water and put the cheesecake pan in the pan. Of course, the water level should only come about halfway up the pan so none of the water spills in.The thing is, water can and will leak into the springform pan. To prevent that, put the springform pan inside a slightly larger cake pan before putting the cake pan in the water bath. The cake pan will act as a barrier that will keep the water from reaching the walls of the springform pan, but the steam from the water will still be able to reach the cheesecake and keep it moist. Ready To Spring Into The Kitchen? Springform pans are one of my favorite baking implements, and they are definitely the best way to make cheesecake. They’re easy to use and inexpensive, and there’s really no good reason not to at least try one out. I doubt you’ll ever make cheesecake another way once you do.
