How Do You Use a Springform Pan?

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The simplest way to assemble a springform pan for cheesecakes and more

Co-authored by JoAnna Minneci and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: July 31, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using a Springform Pan
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• Which way does the bottom of a springform pan go?
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• Dos & Don’ts
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• Springform Pan Sizes
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• What can you make with a springform pan?
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• Q&A

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Springform pans are a great item to have on hand in your kitchen, making it easy to remove cheesecakes and other baked goods from the pan with a tall, straight side edge. This type of pan is unique, as it comes in two pieces and has a springlock to keep the two pieces together. With the help of professional chef JoAnna Minneci, we’ll go over the best ways to assemble and prep your pan for recipes, along with the best ways to keep it in great condition.

How do you use a springform pan?

Assemble the pan by inserting the base and securing the spring along the outer ring. To prevent any leaks, wrap the outside of the pan in foil and place it on a baking sheet before your recipe goes in the oven. When it’s time to serve, let the food cool and unlatch the spring to reveal your food item.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Using a Springform Pan

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1. 
   1
   Lock the bottom and the band together to assemble the pan. Put the band with the spring on a table or countertop. Make sure the spring is open on the band. Then, place the bottom section inside of the band, pulling the spring closed to lock the two pieces together.

   • Hold up the pan to make sure the two pieces are locked together, as you do not want them to come apart during the baking process.
   • This locking mechanism makes it easier to remove the baked goods later on and create a smooth, straight, and elegant edge.
2. 2
   Wrap your pan in foil to make it leak-proof. Grab a large section of aluminum foil and tuck it around the outer bend of the pan. Make sure that there’s enough to fold and crimp over this pan, so the foil stays in place.

   • Some cooking professionals like to wrap the bottom piece of the pan with foil before attaching it as well.
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3. 3
   Grease the pan if the recipe calls for it. As is the case with many baked goods, greasing the pan ahead of time can save you a lot of time and frustration when you’re removing the food item from the pan.

   • You can grease any parchment paper along the bottom of the pan, too.
4. 4
   Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Use scissors to cut the parchment paper to fit the round bottom of the pan. This will make removing your cake or tart off the pan easier when you cut it for serving.

   • Professional baker Maria Short suggests that you “trace around the bottom of the pan” to cut out your parchment form.
   • You can also buy pre-cut parchment paper circles if you plan on using your springform pan a lot.
   • You can also lay a sheet of parchment paper on top of the bottom piece of the springform pan, latch both pieces together, and then cut away the excess.
5. 
   5
   Bake your desired recipe in the pan. Springform pans are most famous for their use in cheesecake recipes, but they can be a handy tool for more delicate desserts that you don’t want to flip and jostle out of a pan. Tarts and certain pies are often best prepared with a springform pan, along with certain savory dishes (like deep-dish pizza).
6. 6
   Let the baked good cool. Once you have finished baking an item like a cake or tart in the pan, take it out of the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Let it cool for at least 10–20 minutes. This will give the baked item a chance to set, and prevent the food from sticking to the edge of the pan.

   • If you’re making cheesecake, you’ll need to refrigerate the cake in the pan before you undo the latch and remove the mold.
7. 
   7
   Transfer the pan to a flat or raised surface. You can use a cake stand on a low table or countertop, or even just place it on the countertop. Ideally, put your cake in the place where you’d like to serve it from.
8. 
   8
   Release the spring on the pan. Grip the round band with one hand. With the other hand, carefully release the spring on the band so it opens. The band should then separate from the bottom of the pan.
9. 
   9
   Lift the band off the bottom of the pan. Once the band has been released, use both hands to lift it off the bottom of the pan in an upward motion. It should come off cleanly and easily, leaving you with a beautiful baked good that’s ready to serve.

   • You can also lift the band off the pan in a downward motion, placing it on the table or countertop.
   • Serve the food on the bottom part of the pan or move it to a different plate. Be sure to use a spatula to lift and move the food to a different serving platter (if you move it).
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Section 2 of 5:

Which way does the bottom of a springform pan go?

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1. The bottom of a springform pan is placed concave-side-down. According to Minneci, the curved portion of the base should face down rather than up. In her words, “if you poured water on the plate of the springform pan, it should not collect in it.”

   • If you attach the base concave-side-up, Minneci warns that you’ll have trouble sliding off the very bottom portion of the cake (like graham cracker crumbs).”

Section 3 of 5:

Dos & Don’ts

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1. 1
   Do invest in a light-toned springform pan. You know how dark clothes tend to feel a lot hotter when you stand in the sun, as opposed to lighter ones? That’s because darker materials tend to soak in extra light and heat. The same logic applies to darker pans—since they collect more heat, it’s easy for your baked goods (especially the crust) to get a little too crispy.
2. 2
   Don’t bake regular cakes in a springform pan. Some baking enthusiasts advise against using springform pans for regular cakes, since the batter has a thinner consistency that can potentially leak. If you’re taking extra precautions, though, like wrapping your pan in foil, you could be perfectly fine.
3. 3
   Do put your springform pan in a larger cake pan before setting it in a water bath. Some cheesecake recipes may request that your cake be baked in a water bath to help it get the proper texture. However, it can be easy for water from the bath to leak into the cheesecake itself. To counteract this, grab a cake tin that’s slightly larger than your springform pan and place the cake and pan inside.
4. 4
   Don’t place the springform pan in the oven on its own. According to Minneci, “you should always put it in a sheet pan.” That way, “if there’s any leakage, it will be caught on the sheet pan.”
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Section 4 of 5:

What sizes do springform pans come in?

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1. Springform pans come in both small and large sizes. If you’re aiming to make something on the smaller side, like a small fruit tart, you might prefer a 4 in (10 cm) pan, while you might prefer something larger, like a 7 or 10 in (18 or 25 cm) pan if you’re making a larger dish (like a deep dish pizza or cheesecake).

Section 5 of 5:

What can you make with a springform pan?

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1. Cheesecakes, tarts, and deep-dish pizza are just a few things you can make. Springform pans are great at providing baked goods with a smooth, polished, and straight crust all the way around, making them perfect for desserts like cheesecake and for savory dishes with a taller crust, like a quiche.

   • They’re also a great option for certain types of pie, like Boston cream pie.
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• Question

  Do I need to grease a springform pan for cheesecake?

  

  Community Answer

  Yes, you do.

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• Question

  I have a cake mix, how long do I bake it in a springform pan?

  

  Community Answer

  About 15-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Watch it during cooking to make sure it doesn't burn. After the 15-25 minutes, poke a tooth pick in the middle to make sure it is cooked all the way, if you pull it out and if there is batter on it it is not done.

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• Question

  How do I remove the bottom of the pan to put the cheesecake on a serving plate?

  

  Rose1556

  Community Answer

  Place a dinner plate (face down) on top of the cheesecake, hold the plate against the cheesecake and flip them upside-down. Set them onto the counter. Gently lift the springform pan bottom off of the cheesecake. Now place your serving platter (face down) onto the cheesecake bottom, grasp both plates tightly and flip them over. Lift off the dinner plate. Now your cheesecake is on the serving platter.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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