Baking a cake is not the easiest thing you can do in the kitchen.
However, with proper guidance and attention to detail, you can definitely do that successfully. Once you baked the cake and you take it out of the oven, you will have to give it some time to cool down. This is an aspect where many are left wondering.
If you wonder how long does it take for a cake to cool down, you came to the right place.
The short answer is that you have to let all the layers of your cake cool down for at least 2 hours before you start icing it.
However, it is even better if you can let it cool down overnight. This way, you will know it is cool and ready to turn into the delicious dessert you want to create.
How Long Does a Cake Take to Cool in the Tin?
If you cook your cake in a tin, you have to make sure it is cooled down before you remove it. Otherwise, if your cake is not all the way cooled down, you will have an unpleasant surprise of it crumbling as you are trying to take it out.
If this occurs, your cake could be ruined or significantly compromised. In order to prevent this, always make sure to give your cake approximately 2-3 hours minimum to cool down. Once this time passed, you can safely remove it from the tin without damaging it.
How Long to Cool a Cake Before Removing from Pan?
Regardless of the type of pan that you are using, the minimum time frame of 2-3 hours to allow your cake to cool down should still apply. Depending on the room temperature as well as the material of your pan, the cake could cool down faster or slower.
It is a good idea to check your cake before trying to remove it from the pan.
You might feel the cake being cold on the surface and the edges but it could still be warm at the bottom. And there is a risk that the bottom will stick on the pan, should you try to remove it too soon.
How Do You Cool a Cake Down Quickly?
When you are in the kitchen, you don’t always have the time to wait in order to cook the dishes you want. Considering that a cake needs several hours to cool down, you will most likely wonder if you can speed the process. Luckily, there are things you can do to cool your cake faster.
1. Remove the cake from the pan
As we said, your cake might crumble if you remove it from the pan too soon. However, there are ways to do that safely or at least have a fair chance to remove your cake without breaking it.
You will have to give it 10 minutes to cool a bit once you take the cake out of the oven. After ten minutes, put a plate that is wide enough to cover the surface of the pan, over the cake. Then, flip the pan over in a way that your cake will fall on the board.
You will have to hold the pan with both hands from opposite edges and flip it fast. Tap the base of the pan to help the cake fall out of it. Remove the pan by lifting it straight up from your cake slowly.
When you remove it from the pan, you will speed up the cooling process significantly. If a cake will take a minimum of two hours to cool down in the pan, if you take it out it should take about 30 minutes.
2. Put your cake on a cooling rack
If you need to cool your cake down even faster, you can remove it from the plate or board and place it on a cooling rack.
These racks allow cool air to get on all the parts of your cake, including the base. You can find a lot of cooling racks online at budget-friendly prices. If you wonder what type to pick, opt for a stainless steel cooling rack.
3. Cut your cake if you want to fill it in different layers
If you plan to cut your cake in layers to add the cream and icing or other toppings, you can very well cut it when you take it out of the oven. Slicing the cake will speed up the cooling time a lot and it will also spread a delicious and inviting smell in your kitchen.
Cutting the cake in layers allows air to get inside of it which will make it cool down faster. You just have to be gentle when you are doing this so you don’t break it. Keep in mind that your layers should also be thick enough to sustain the toppings you want to add.
4. Put the cake in the fridge
You most likely considered this method first but even if it sounds efficient, there are some aspects you need to consider. If you place your cake in the fridge without preparing it first, you might end up with a very dry cake.
To avoid the dry cake risk, take the cake out of the pan. Then, put it on a cooling rack for about ten minutes so it is not steaming hot when you put it in the fridge. Let your cake sit in the fridge for 20 minutes and then take it out so it cools down completely at room temperature.
How Long Does it Take for a Cake to Cool to Room Temperature?
If you want to allow your cake to cool down at room temperature, it will take between 2-3 hours. However, it is best to let it cool down overnight to be sure that you can cut and decorate it.
If you can’t let it cool overnight, checking on your cake might help you. The temperature of your room can influence the time it takes to cool it down.
Can I Leave Cake to Cool Overnight?
Leaving your cake to cool down overnight is the ideal case. If you have this time, you will not need to rush it because your cake will not get dry or compromised in any way.
Make sure that you put it in a high place so no ants or other insects can get to it. Also, you might want to cover it with a kitchen cloth that is clean so you can maintain its softness.
Let’s Bake a Cake!
If you know when you want your cake to be done or ready to serve, you can plan ahead to give it a few hours to cool down.
Even if 2-3 hours might be all that is needed, take into account to give it an overnight rest in order to obtain the best results.
If you don’t have this amount of time, you can use the tips in this guide to speed up the cooling process and still end up with a delicious cake.