Yes, you can use a pie pan to bake a cake, but you should be aware that pie pans typically have angled sides and cake pans have straight sides. Because of this difference, if you're making a layered cake, the edges of the cake will be harder to frost. The cakes can be trimmed to get rid of the angled edges but may still be difficult to frost. Generally, cake pans should be used for baking cakes, but in a pinch, a pie pan will do if you aren't interested in how good the final product looks.

Any special features that set the pan apart, including handles, lids, size, transparency, or aesthetic design. Don’t heat empty or nearly empty glass containers in the microware. When heating oil or butter in the microwave, heat only for the minimal time required—don’t overheat. Pie pans come in ceramic, glass, metal, steel, cast iron, and porcelain. Each material has its pros and cons. Ceramic pans are well-insulated, hold the heat, and the pies bake and brown evenly. A glass pan lets you monitor the crust while baking so you don’t overbake or underbake it. Metal pie pans are inexpensive and conduct heat very well but that can lead to a brown crust well before the filling is done. The heavier a metal pan, the less likely it is prone to warping. Not for use other than as directed below and in the accompanying products Safety and Usage Instructions.

Other pie pans we tested

The durability of the pan materials and surfaces, if they were easily marked or damaged when slicing the pies, and the stability of the pans when transporting pies.

If the glassware does break, take care to let it cool before cleaning it up. Keep in mind that shattered glass creates many small particles and pieces that may be difficult to find. A handheld vacuum cleaner can help make sure you don’t accidentally miss any shards. Never try to reuse broken Pyrex glassware, even if the majority of the dish is intact. Dangers to Avoid When Cooking With Pyrex How well the pans distribute heat, especially when baking custard pies, evenly cooking the filling from the center to the edge without over or under-baking the filling. Be sure to read the entire safety and usage instructions accompanying your Pyrex® glassware before use. Pyrex® glassware is designed to be as versatile as it is long lasting. You can use it to prepare, store, cook, bake, warm or reheat food—in pre-heated conventional and convection ovens, or in microwaves. And cleanup is easy – just place your Pyrex® glassware in the dishwasher. As with any glass product, there are a few common-sense precautions to keep in mind for your safety when using Pyrex® glassware. Your safety is important to us, so please read the guidance below.If you don’t use Pyrex® glassware in a way that is consistent with this guidance, it could break and cause injury.When removing Pyrex bakeware from the oven, pay attention to where you place it. Use both hands to move it, and make sure to set the cookware on a dry cloth surface such as a folded towel or potholder.

Pyrex® glassware and lids are dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy and carefree. Keep both plastic lids and glassware away from direct heat elements in the dishwasher. How thoroughly the crusts cooked in each pan during pre-baking, as well as completely raw double-crust pies. We judged doneness based on the final crust color, crispness after the pie cooled completely, and how well the crusts sliced and released from the pans. Additionally, we noted if the crusts cooked at the same rate as the fillings, or if either needed additional time. We found that the Emile Henry ruffled pie dish was a perfect fit for almost any style of pie. Shallower custard pies that are made with a smaller pie shell won't look like they're being swallowed by the pan since there isn't a formal rim, and larger pies have plenty of room to grow. We also found that the dish has a whopping 6-cup capacity, meaning you can comfortably load your next apple pie up with well over four pounds of sliced apples. To test out just how much filling could fit in this pie pan, we loaded it up with 4.5 pounds of apples, which is on the large side even for an apple pie. We were impressed to see that the apples baked perfectly even all the way through the pie without turning into applesauce, and the crust cooked nicely on the bottom without being soggy. When comparing this plate side-by-side with the Great Jones pie plate, we thought the plates looked and performed nearly identically, with only a few minor cosmetic differences. This one is slightly deeper, though.Always preheat your oven before placing your Pyrex® dish inside it. While the glass is designed for temperatures typically used in baking, it can break when exposed to the direct heat element while the oven is preheating. After researching the top-selling and highest-rated pie pans in every style and material currently on the market, we tested and evaluate each of these options side-by-side. The pans were used to test several different types of pies, from blind-baked shells to custard pies, crumb crust pies, and large double-crust fruit pies. We paid special attention to: We measured the diameter of each pan from the inner edge of the rim and found that the Lindy's pan isn't a true 9-inch pan, but comes close at 8.5 inches. You'll want to keep that in mind when making pies, as you'll probably use slightly less filling than a recipe calls for. It produced a perfectly par-baked shell in less than 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The custard pie that we baked came out smooth and creamy without overcooking, scrambling, or uneven browning. Unfortunately, cutting slices of pie directly in the pan can leave marks on the bottom of the pan, but it doesn't detract from its overall functionality. Do not use Pyrex® glassware on the stovetop (open flame, electric burner), under the broiler, in a toaster oven, or on a barbecue grill. This type of usage exposes Pyrex® glassware to potentially damaging direct heat sources.

If easy cleanup is an important consideration, choose a pie pan that can be put in the dishwasher over one that requires hand-washing. Jenny Kellerhals is our resident pastry and baking expert who tested our pie pan recommendations in her home kitchen. She completed a Baking & Pastry Program at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and has worked in professional kitchens for over a decade. Once the pie dough is resting on the pie pan, you begin shaping it by smoothing the dough across the bottom surface of the pan and then fitting the dough into the crease of the pan. Next, you'll press the dough against the sides of the dish, allowing any extra dough to hang over the lip. Trim the dough about half an inch past the lip of the dish, and crimp the edge of your pie crust as you like.

The takeaway

Never expose hot glassware to cool water or a cold surface, and don’t take it straight from the fridge to the oven.