Today I’m walking you through my favorite technique for ensuring round cakes don’t stick to the baking pans: parchment paper rounds. This is such a simple concept, but it makes a big difference!
In all my many layer cake recipes, I mention how to prepare your baking pans so that the baked cakes release easily from the pans, intact and ready to assemble. Have you ever had a round cake stick to your pan, tearing completely, and ruining all your efforts? I’ve been there too.
I use parchment paper rounds and I want to demonstrate how quick and easy it is to make these yourself at home.
Parchment Rounds
Lining cake pans with parchment rounds is the trick I use every single time I bake a round cake, whether I’m making a 1-layer sprinkle cake, a 9-layer Smith Island cake, or even a homemade wedding cake. No more stuck cakes, please.
Store-bought pre-cut parchment rounds are convenient, but it’s really easy to just make them yourself, and more cost-effective, too. I especially like that you can cut the exact pan size you need, whether you’re making a 6-inch cake, an 8-inch cake, or a 9-inch cake.
If you don’t make a lot of round cakes, just cut them as you need them. If you bake a lot, cut many at a time and store them with your baking pans or cake decorating tools, ready for the next time you bake.
Video Tutorial
It’s a really easy concept, but I figured showing you the process in a video would be most helpful. No matter what size or brand of round cake pan you’re using, here’s how to prepare it for baking:
Grab These 4 Things to Make Parchment Rounds
- Parchment/baking paper: You can use any brand, and either brown or white.
- Cake pan(s): Make sure you have quality cake pans. From one baker to another, I swear by Fat Daddioโs cake pans. Incredible quality for the price. Iโm not working with this brand, Iโm just a genuine fan.
- Pencil
- Scissors
Some DIY methods for making parchment paper rounds instruct you to fold a square a bunch of times. I don’t do that; I find tracing a circle and cutting it out to be easier.
How to Line a Round Cake Pan
Step 1: Trace the Cake Pan on the Parchment. If you’re using a roll of parchment paper, start by measuring out how much you’ll need for the number of pans you’ll be using, and cut it off the roll. Set one of your cake pans on the parchment, hold it steady with one hand, and trace around it with a pencil. Repeat this step for however many cake pans you’re planning to use.
Step 2: Cut Inside the Circle. Cut out the circles, just inside the pencil line.
Step 3: Lightly Grease the Pan. Very lightly grease the cake pan with butter or nonstick spray. I usually use coconut oil nonstick spray or โbaking spray,โ which has a little flour in it. You could also just grease it with butter.
Step 4: Line the Pan With Parchment Round. Place the parchment round inside, pressing it to the bottom of the pan.
Step 5: Lightly Grease the Parchment. Yes, you grease the pan and then also grease the parchment. This creates an ultra-nonstick environment for your cake. The cake won’t stick to the pan, and the parchment round won’t stick to the cake.
Step 6: Pour in Cake Batter and Bake.
Peel Off the Parchment Round
When the cake has cooled, run a thin knife around the edge, invert the cake on your hand or work surface, then lift off the cake pan. The parchment round may stay in the pan, or stay on the bottom of the cake. (I find it’s different with every recipe.) But whichever it “sticks” to, you just need to peel it off.
Peel off the bottom of your cake or bottom of your pan, whichever it “sticks” to:
And voila! You have a beautiful round cake that releases easily from the pan.
More Cake Baking Tips
How do I cover a frosted cake without ruining the frosting? A cake carrier! I own a handful of these and they’re an absolute lifesaver when it comes to storing and transporting cakes.
Find more of my best tips for cake baking in my cake baking tips post.
Reader Comments and Reviews
Your tips are helpful
I used to do this, too, but now I save a step and place the cake pan and parchment onto a cutting board and use an exacto knife and just run it around the outside of the pan.
Can I use cake flour instead of all purpose flour??
Hi Amy, which recipe are you looking to make? It’s best to use the flour called for in a specific recipe. Cake flour is much lighter and better suited for recipes like vanilla cake, whereas heavier cakes like carrot cake are best suited for all-purpose flour.
Could this method be used for square or rectangular pans, such as a 9×13 inch pan?
Hi CH, yes, you could use the same method for lining square pans, although we prefer to line our square/rectangular pans with parchment on the sides so that the bars/cakes/etc. are easy to lift out and slice/serve. Here is a helpful tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvLUi7sKJFo
I actually have a circle cutter that I found on Amazon for quickly prepping materials for my elementary art classes. You just set the measurement for the pan size, grab a sheet of parchment paper, cut. I keep use a self healing mat, but you could also keep a large square of cardboard or a flattened cereal box around to use as my cutting surface (easy to store and replaceable when used up).
I heard about your site while listening to Breitbart News Daily with Mike Slater on SIRUIS XM Radio. I love it! I lost my love for baking and cooking about 10 years ago while going through a difficult period in my life and it seems to be coming back slowly. Thank you for the recipes on this site
We’re so glad you’re following along, Mark!
If you’re making a cake that calls for flavorless oil instead of butter (like Sally’s carrot cake), do you grease the pan/parchment with butter or flavorless oil? (That is, if you don’t have spray.) Thanks for the answer and for all the great recipes!
Hi Rachel, either will work just fine!
I made a 6โ template out of cardboard so I can use it over and over again.
My family love this carrot cake recipe so much! Great cake.
Thanks for all your helpful tips!
Hi I’m an avid baker. What size parchment paper rounds do you buy to fit a 9″ cake pan? How about 8″ & 10″ pans??
Hi Lisa, for round cake pans, you’ll want the parchment paper to fit right into the bottom of the pan, so the parchment paper round will be the same diameter as the pan you’re using.
with the rounds cutting, I fold a square piece in half and then I only need steady scissorhands for a half circle which can then be folded out to a full circle !!
I recently tried to make a German chocolate cake for my husband and it was a disaster (the top half of my layers broke off). I later googled and some bakers swear you take the cakes out of the pans 5-10 minutes after coming out to prevent sticking. Others say to let cool entirely in the pan. Which works best? Both say to use parchment, so will try that too (i had just sprayed with Pam, but it still stuck).
Hi Laura! We usually recommend letting cakes cool completely in the pans.
This is my favourite carrot cake recipe โค๏ธ
When using round parchment paper do you need to spray the sides of the pan? Sally said spray the pan, then the parchment, but I’m not sure if she means the sides as well.
Thank you
Hi Janine, Yes the sides will get a light spray also.
I was addicted to carrot as soon as Granny (she was about 90 years old – everyone called her Granny) Thornton made carrot cake. The first I ever tasted. And I was hooked!
Do you ever use silicone rounds in the bottom of cakes instead of parchment? If not, is there an issue with them? I’m just recently starting to learn baking and bought the silicone rounds thinking they would be easier.
Hi Melissah, I don’t personally use those (really no reason, just haven’t bought any yet!), but I know they work nicely.
Hi there! I have baked several cakes lately that indicate to grease the pan ( and parchment paper ) could you provide info on how you grease/what you use? Do you use Pam or rub with shortening? I was using the baking Pam but wasn’t sure if that’s the best option. Thanks!
Hi Jessi, we usually use coconut oil nonstick spray or โbaking spray,โ which has a little flour in it. You could also just grease it with butter.
Hi, Which Brand Parchment Paper Did You Buy For Making Layer Cakes? Also Is It Better To Buy Bleached Or Unbleached?
Hi Jada, we use many different brands of parchment paper — whichever you have available to you should work well. You can use either bleached or unbleached. We use both.
When using parchment paper do you also flour the pans.
Hi Robin, we recommend greasing the pan, placing down the parchment, and then greasing the pan + parchment again. This guarantees an ultra non-stick environment.
Okโฆ I get all the โpan-greasingโ โฆ itโs the good old way to make sure cakes donโt stick. But, why were โnonstick coatedโ pans invented, then? Pans like โOxo โGoldโโand โWilliams-Sonoma โGoldtouchโโ pans were sold to not need all the greasing and flouring. Does that still need doing? I could see the parchment paper keeping ALL the cake WITH the cake, leaving nothing on the base. But, the primary purpose of the nonstuck, I thought, was to NOT be concerned with the old-fashioned โgrease and flourโ.
Hi Hank, in our experience, non-stick pans still need to be greased and many cake pans are not non stick. But if you find that your pans don’t need it then you can definitely do what works for you.
Thank youโฆ. I guess I need to pick up some baking โPamโ โฆ. Donโt use that often at all, and I have a โvery โexpiredโโ can right now. Off to Giant.
Iโve been baking since I was in junior high school. As Iโve aged (now in my 70s) I have discovered parchment paper rounds for cakes. Creating the rounds is a simple process but itโs so nice that you have explained it clearly. Once you go with parchment youโll never go back to just plain grease and flour. It makes all the difference and you never have to worry about any cake sticking again! I look forward to receiving your recipes and tips. I have shared your website with many people, experienced bakers and novices alike. Thanks so much Sally and keep up the good work.
The other nice thing about parchment is that it can be reused again, and eliminates the crumb coat step when frosting cakes.
Making round parchment. I simply place my parchment on a cutting board and use a sharp pointed knife or exacto knife to go around the bottom of cake pan. Then just pop the circle out
Is it a good idea to put parchment paper under a 9×13 cake as well?
You absolutely can if you aren’t serving the cake from the pan!
What depth on the Daddio round pans? For a 2 inch layer cake?
Thank you!! Excited to get these.
I usually use 2-inch deep round cake pans.
Hey Sally, love your recipes & tips!
What about lining the sides of a pan? I’m never sure if I should or not.
Thanks
Hi Emma! No need to line the sides. Just make sure to grease them!
For Bundt cakes I have used the flour, shortening, oil combo. Equal parts mixed and brushed into all the cracks and crevices of the pan. Works wonderfully. I used to make up a bunch at a time, as it stores well in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Now I mix it per recipe as I donโt use Bundt pans as often as other items.
That’s always a great tip for Bundt cakes!
Thank Sally. I have a question how to cut parchment paper on a tube cake pan?
Hi Teresa, you can do this for a flat tube pan, but it would be impossible for a textured/designed Bundt cake pan. For a tube pan, I would trace the pan like you do with a round pan. Cut out the circle and then cut a circle in the middle for however large the tube is in your tube pan. Hope this makes sense.
I agree that this method is so easy. Never understood the fold and trim method.