The Secret To Making Tall Cakes In A Short Pan

How to construct your paper collar

You don't need any specialized tools or high-end parchment paper to create your collar—any roll of paper from your grocery store will work perfectly. To get started, cut a piece of paper long enough to wrap around the entire circumference of the pan, or you can opt for two shorter pieces and assemble your collar in sections to form a complete circle.

A crucial step is to generously butter the inside of your regular pan, as this will help the baked cake release easily. The butter also serves as an adhesive for the newly formed collar, keeping it securely in place. Be sure to work with the natural curl of the paper, not against it, as you position the collar around the inside of the pan.

If you're concerned that the extra batter might spill over the delicate layer of paper, rest assured it will hold up just fine—as long as you complete the full circle of the collar and provide enough height for a few extra inches of batter. For added security, you can seal the overlapping edges of the paper with some butter to ensure the collar remains intact. The natural inward curl of the paper will help the collar stand tall and sturdy. Once that's done, you're all set to pour in your batter, taking advantage of the extra space you've created in the pan.

Don't confuse parchment and wax paper

While it may reside in the same drawer as wax paper, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap, parchment paper serves a vastly different purpose and should never be used interchangeably with those other materials. Parchment paper is an incredibly versatile and affordable tool that every kitchen should have. It can be used in the oven, on the grill, in the fridge or freezer, and even in the microwave. Made from regular paper coated with heat-resistant silicone, it can safely endure high temperatures.

In contrast, wax paper is coated with wax that melts when heated, making it unsuitable for oven use. The same applies to plastic wrap and aluminum foil. However, parchment paper is capable of handling it all, from lining an air fryer to preventing baking messes and facilitating various kitchen hacks. To ensure safety while creating a cake pan collar for added height or for any other purpose, it's important to avoid any excess overhang in the oven, as this could burn or even ignite. Following this principle, you can trim your collar to provide just a few extra inches of height, removing any excess to allow for the perfect tall layer of cake.