A springform pan exists for one reason: some desserts cannot be turned upside down. A cheesecake with a crumb crust, a mousse cake, a torte with a fragile top or a tall cream-cheese custard would break if you flipped it out of a solid pan. A springform solves that with a flat base and a ring that unlatches, so the cake stays upright and the sides simply open away from it.
The weak point is the seam where the ring meets the base. That is where butter seeps out, where a water bath creeps in and where cheap pans fail. This guide compares nine springform pans by what decides that seam and everything around it: the base design, the depth, the coating, the oven limit and the care rules each maker states, along with what America’s Test Kitchen found when it put a set of 9-inch pans through a dyed water bath.
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Quick verdict: which springform pan to buy
For most kitchens, the best springform pan is the Nordic Ware 9-inch Springform Pan: 3.1-inch sides, a 10-cup capacity, a raised base that extends past the ring, and a 10-year limited warranty. America’s Test Kitchen recommends it, though it saw minor seepage in a water bath, so wrap it in foil for cheesecake. If you want a lighter finish that browns less, the USA Pan 9-inch Springform Pan with Latch is heavy aluminized steel rated to 450°F. If you would rather have no coating at all, the Fat Daddio’s 11 x 3-inch Anodized Aluminum Springform is the plain, bakery-style option.
The table below lines up our five standout pans, one for each kind of baker. All nine are reviewed in full after it.
Five springform pans side by side
One pick for each kind of baker, with the size, depth, material and oven limit each maker, listing or America’s Test Kitchen states.
| Pan | Best for | Size and depth | Material & oven limit | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nordic Ware 9-inch Springform PanBest overall
|
Standard 9-inch cheesecakes | 9 in, 3.1 in tall, 10 cups | Nonstick carbon steel; 425°F per ATK | View on Amazon |
USA Pan 9-inch Springform Pan with LatchBest light finish
|
Even browning, quiche, cheesecake | 9 in; depth not stated | Aluminized steel, silicone nonstick; 450°F | View on Amazon |
| Large cakes, bakers who line pans | 11 in interior, 3.75 in deep, 9.5 cups | Anodized aluminum; limit not stated | View on Amazon | |
Norpro 10-inch Springform with Glass BaseBest for serving
|
Bake, slice and serve on one base | 10 in outer, 3 in tall | Steel ring, tempered glass base; limit not stated | View on Amazon |
All-Clad Pro-Release 9-inch Springform PanBest ceramic-reinforced
|
Easy release, big handles | 9 in; depth not stated | Aluminized steel; 450°F | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Dimensions, materials and oven limits are as stated by the maker, its Amazon listing or America’s Test Kitchen where noted; “not stated” means we found no figure. Check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best springform pan
Nine pans, chosen to cover the real differences between springforms: coated and uncoated, dark and light, a glass serving base, a square shape and an 11-inch size for bigger cakes. Four of them, from Nordic Ware, All-Clad and Cuisinart, are the same models or ASINs America’s Test Kitchen linked in its springform review; the rest fill the gaps that review left.
1. Nordic Ware 9-inch Springform Pan – Tall Sides, Raised Base
Most cheesecake recipes are written for a 9-inch springform, and this is the one that fits them with room to spare. The listing gives the dimensions in unusual detail: the base is 9.8 inches across, the collar 9.3 inches and the interior 8.8 inches, with a 3.1-inch height and a 10-cup capacity. That height sits inside the 2.5 to 3-inch range King Arthur Baking describes for a springform’s locking sidewall, and it leaves space for a crust plus a full batch of filling.
The pan is carbon steel with a charcoal nonstick finish that Nordic Ware says is made without PFOA. America’s Test Kitchen recommends this model (it lists it as Nordic Ware’s 9-inch leakproof springform, model 55742) and liked its base, which is raised about a third of an inch and extends past the collar. ATK found that raised, wider bases were the easiest to slide a spatula under when serving. The catch: in ATK’s blue-dyed water bath, this was the only pan in its lineup to show minor signs of leaking, though the effect on the cheesecake was small.
So treat it as most cooks treat any springform and wrap the outside in heavy foil before it goes into a water bath. Because the finish is dark, check the cake a couple of minutes early; ATK notes that darker pans absorb more heat and bake faster. ATK lists it as oven-safe to 425°F and not dishwasher safe, and the listing says Nordic Ware backs it with a 10-year limited warranty.
Why we like it
- 3.1-inch sides and a 10-cup capacity, per the listing
- Raised base that extends past the collar, per ATK
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- 10-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 55742AMZ |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 9 in (interior 8.8 in, base 9.8 in) |
| Depth | 3.1 in; 10 cups |
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Coating | Nonstick, made without PFOA |
| Base | Raised, extends past the ring (per ATK) |
| Oven-safe to | 425°F (per ATK) |
| Dishwasher safe | No (per ATK) |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you want one springform for standard 9-inch cheesecakes, tortes and quiches, with a base that makes slicing and serving easy.
Skip it if you want a pan that needs no foil in a water bath; ATK saw minor seepage from this one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tall ring, generous capacity
- Easy-serve raised base
- Long warranty
Cons
- Minor leaking in ATK’s water-bath test
- Dark finish browns faster
- Hand wash only
2. USA Pan 9-inch Springform Pan with Latch – Light Finish, Heavy Steel
USA Pan is the brand America’s Test Kitchen picked as its top springform, but there is a wrinkle worth knowing. ATK’s winner is USA Pan’s leakproof model 1086SF, which uses bracket closures and a silicone seal. When we checked, that pan’s Amazon listing showed low stock, so we feature its in-stock sibling here: the 1081SF, a classic 9-inch springform with a single easy-release latch. It is not the pan ATK tested, and we do not credit it with the 1086SF’s leak results.
What the 1081SF shares with the winner is the build. The listing describes heavy-gauge aluminized steel for even heat distribution and support, and USA Pan’s proprietary clear silicone nonstick. Because the coating is clear over silver-colored steel, the pan reads as a light finish, the kind ATK says bakes a little more slowly and evenly than a dark pan. The maximum recommended baking temperature is 450°F.
USA Pan’s own care advice for its bakeware applies here: skip cooking sprays, which the maker says may stain the pan, and use silicone, wooden or nylon tools rather than sharp metal ones that can chip the coating. For a water bath, wrap it in foil as you would any single-latch springform. The listing does not give a depth or a dishwasher rating.
Why we like it
- Heavy-gauge aluminized steel, per the listing
- Clear silicone nonstick over a light-colored pan
- Rated to 450°F
- From the maker of ATK’s top-rated springform
Key specifications
| Model | 1081SF |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 9 in |
| Depth | Not stated |
| Material | Heavy-gauge aluminized steel |
| Coating | Clear silicone nonstick |
| Base | Not stated |
| Oven-safe to | 450°F |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a light, heavy springform for cheesecake and quiche and would rather not adjust bake times for a dark pan.
Skip it if leak resistance is the reason you are buying; this is the single-latch model, not the sealed one ATK tested.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light finish for even browning
- Commercial-weight steel
- Clear oven limit
Cons
- Not the model ATK tested
- No depth or dishwasher guidance listed
- No cooking spray, per USA Pan
3. Fat Daddio’s 11 x 3-inch Anodized Aluminum Springform – No Coating, Bakery Build
Fat Daddio’s makes the plain, heavy pans bakeries use, and this springform follows the same pattern: 17-gauge anodized aluminum, no nonstick coating, a commercial stainless steel buckle and a removable, pedestal-style base. The listing says anodizing is not a coating but a process, so there is nothing to rust, peel or flake, and nothing that limits which utensils you use.
It is bigger than the 9-inch pans on this list. The interior measures 11 inches across and 3.75 inches deep, with an overall diameter of just over 13 inches, and it holds 9.5 cups. That makes it a pan for a party-size torte, a deep cheesecake scaled up from a 9-inch recipe, or a savory pie, rather than a straight swap for a standard recipe. Fat Daddio’s notes that professionals often use a heating rod for cakes wider than 9 inches, which helps the center bake before the edges dry.
The trade-off is release. America’s Test Kitchen found that the one uncoated pan in its springform lineup, a different maker’s anodized aluminum pan, let cake and crust stick badly. With Fat Daddio’s, plan to grease the ring and line the base with parchment. The listing recommends hand washing, calls it air fryer and pressure cooker safe, and gives a lifetime warranty, but does not state an oven limit.
Why we like it
- No coating to wear, per Fat Daddio’s
- Deep 3.75-inch interior
- Stainless steel buckle and pedestal-style base
- Lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | PSF-113 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 11 in interior (13.1 in overall) |
| Depth | 3.75 in; 9.5 cups |
| Material | 17-gauge anodized aluminum |
| Coating | None |
| Base | Removable, pedestal-style |
| Oven-safe to | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you bake large cakes for a crowd, already line your pans with parchment, and want a pan with nothing to scratch off.
Skip it if your recipes are written for 9 inches and you want them to work without rescaling.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Uncoated and durable
- Very deep ring
- Commercial buckle
Cons
- Needs greasing and parchment
- 11-inch size means rescaling recipes
- No oven limit in the listing
4. Norpro 10-inch Springform with Glass Base – Slice on the Serving Base
The awkward moment with any springform is after the ring comes off: the cake is sitting on a metal disc with a lip, and you either serve it there or try to slide it onto a plate. Norpro’s answer is a tempered glass base that doubles as the serving platter. The listing says you can slice on it with metal knives because the glass is scratch-resistant, so the cake never has to move.
The ring is heavy-gauge steel with a nonstick coating, and the listing says the expandable collar clamps tightly around the glass to make a leak-resistant seal that keeps batter and fruit juices off the oven floor. The outer pan measures 10 by 10 by 3 inches, and Norpro says the finished cake comes out about 9.5 inches across and 2.75 inches tall, so standard 9-inch recipes fit with a little extra width.
A glass base behaves differently from metal. King Arthur Baking notes that glass is slower to heat but holds heat longer, so a crust may take a little longer to set. The listing recommends hand washing to protect the nonstick ring and does not give an oven limit; we would also keep the glass away from sudden temperature changes, such as a hot base going into a cold water bath.
Why we like it
- Glass base doubles as a serving platter
- Scratch-resistant glass for slicing, per Norpro
- Leak-resistant collar seal, per the listing
- Fits standard 9-inch recipes with room
Key specifications
| Model | 3914 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 10 in outer (cake about 9.5 in) |
| Depth | 3 in outer (cake about 2.75 in) |
| Material | Heavy-gauge steel ring, tempered glass base |
| Coating | Nonstick on the ring |
| Base | Tempered glass, serves as platter |
| Oven-safe to | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you bake cheesecakes and tortes for the table and want to cut and serve without transferring the cake.
Skip it if you bake in a water bath often; glass and big temperature swings are a poor mix.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bake and serve on one base
- Knife-friendly glass
- Room for standard recipes
Cons
- No oven limit stated
- Glass is heavier and breakable
- Crust may set more slowly on glass
5. All-Clad Pro-Release 9-inch Springform Pan – Lighter Coating, Big Handles
All-Clad’s Pro-Release springform is heavy-gauge aluminized steel with what the maker calls a ceramic-reinforced nonstick coating, which it says helps the finish hold up through everyday use. The coating is a lighter color than the usual charcoal, and All-Clad says the light color and rounded corners help reduce over-browning, the same reason ATK gives for checking dark pans early.
The handles are the other draw. All-Clad describes them as generously sized so you can grip the pan with oven mitts without touching the batter, which matters when you are lowering a full cheesecake into a water bath. America’s Test Kitchen recommends this pan, linking this same Amazon listing, but noted one drawback: the base is recessed with an upturned edge, which made it harder to slide a spatula under slices than with a raised, extended base.
The listing rates it oven-safe to 450°F and calls it dishwasher safe, while also advising soap and a sponge and silicone, nylon or wooden utensils to preserve the nonstick. ATK’s specifications list it as not dishwasher safe, so hand washing is the safe reading. It is designed in Pennsylvania and made in China, according to the listing.
Why we like it
- Lighter nonstick to reduce over-browning, per All-Clad
- Large handles for water-bath work
- Rated to 450°F
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
Key specifications
| Model | J2570964 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 9 in |
| Depth | Not stated |
| Material | Heavy-gauge aluminized steel |
| Coating | Ceramic-reinforced nonstick |
| Base | Recessed, upturned edge (per ATK) |
| Oven-safe to | 450°F |
| Dishwasher safe | Listing says yes; ATK says no; hand wash advised |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you want a premium, light-colored springform with handles you can actually hold in oven mitts.
Skip it if you like to serve slices straight off the base; the recessed edge gets in the spatula’s way.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light, durable coating
- Generous handles
- Clear oven limit
Cons
- Recessed base, per ATK
- Conflicting dishwasher guidance
- Depth not stated
6. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 9-inch Springform Pan – Coated Inside and Out
Cuisinart’s Chef’s Classic springform is a long-running, no-fuss pan, and it is another one America’s Test Kitchen recommends, linking this same silver listing. The listing describes heavy-gauge aluminized steel for fast, even heating, Whitford Xylan nonstick on both the inside and outside, and extra-thick rolled edges to prevent warping.
Coating the outside as well as the inside is what makes it easy to keep clean: drips of batter and caramelized butter on the exterior wipe away rather than baking on. The listing calls the pan dishwasher safe and oven-safe without giving a figure; ATK lists it at 450°F and says it is dishwasher safe, though hand washing is recommended to make any nonstick last longer.
ATK’s reservation is the same as with the All-Clad: a recessed base with an upturned edge, which makes sliding slices off the base harder. If you plan to move the whole cheesecake to a platter anyway, that matters less. The listing gives no depth, and Cuisinart backs the pan with a limited lifetime warranty.
Why we like it
- Nonstick inside and out, per Cuisinart
- Thick rolled edges against warping
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing and ATK
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
Key specifications
| Model | AMB-9SP |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 9 in |
| Depth | Not stated |
| Material | Heavy-gauge aluminized steel |
| Coating | Whitford Xylan nonstick, inside and out |
| Base | Recessed, upturned edge (per ATK) |
| Oven-safe to | 450°F (per ATK) |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes; hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a dependable, easy-to-clean 9-inch springform and do not mind moving the cake to a platter.
Skip it if serving straight from the base is how you work; ATK found the recessed base awkward for that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Coated exterior wipes clean
- Dishwasher safe
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Recessed base
- No depth or oven figure in the listing
7. Wilton Platinum Non-Stick 9-inch Springform Pan – Handles and Dishwasher Care
Wilton’s Platinum springform is a coated pan built around convenience. The listing says it measures 9 inches across and 2.7 inches deep, is oven-safe to 450°F and dishwasher safe, and has extended handles for lifting. Wilton calls its coating Duralast, a silicone-infused double coating it says is five times more durable, and says the pan is made without PFAS and uses anti-warping technology.
One thing to keep straight: the Wilton springform America’s Test Kitchen did not recommend was a different pan, Wilton’s uncoated anodized aluminum model, which ATK found let cake and crust stick. This Platinum model is coated, and ATK did not include it in its review, so we rely on Wilton’s listing for its specifications.
At 2.7 inches, the ring is a little shorter than Nordic Ware’s 3.1 inches, so very tall New York-style cheesecakes may crowd the rim; a standard recipe with a crumb crust should fit. The listing does not describe the base design or the metal beyond calling it steel bakeware. Wilton offers a limited lifetime warranty.
Why we like it
- Extended handles, per Wilton
- Oven-safe to 450°F
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- Made without PFAS, per Wilton
Key specifications
| Model | 2105-6243 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 9 in |
| Depth | 2.7 in |
| Material | Steel (type not stated) |
| Coating | Silicone-infused double nonstick, made without PFAS |
| Base | Not stated |
| Oven-safe to | 450°F |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you want handles and dishwasher care in a coated 9-inch springform.
Skip it if you bake very tall cheesecakes; the 2.7-inch ring is on the shallow side.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handles for lifting
- Dishwasher safe
- Stated oven limit
Cons
- Shorter ring than some
- Not reviewed by ATK
- Base design not described
8. Nordic Ware Square Springform Pan – Square Slices, Serving Base
Not every springform dessert has to be round. Nordic Ware’s square version holds 14 cups, which the listing says accommodates standard recipes, and cuts into neat squares or bars instead of wedges. It suits a cheesecake bar for a party, a layered ice cream cake or a coffee cake that you want to cut evenly.
The pan is heavy-duty carbon steel with a PFOA-free nonstick coating, a secure buckle and a removable band. The square base doubles as a serving tray, according to the listing, with a raised lip for lifting and a recessed well to catch crumbs and drips. Nordic Ware calls the design leak-resistant, though, as with any springform, foil is cheap insurance in a water bath.
The listing gives a lower oven limit than most here, 400°F, and recommends hand washing with mild detergent. It lists the size as 11 inches but does not give an interior measurement or depth, so check your recipe’s volume against the 14-cup figure.
Why we like it
- Square shape for even slices
- 14-cup capacity, per the listing
- Base doubles as a serving tray
- Leak-resistant design, per Nordic Ware
Key specifications
| Model | 51005 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | Square, listed as 11 in |
| Depth | Not stated; 14 cups |
| Material | Heavy-duty carbon steel |
| Coating | PFOA-free nonstick |
| Base | Serving tray with lip and drip well |
| Oven-safe to | 400°F |
| Dishwasher safe | Hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for cheesecake bars, ice cream cakes and party desserts you want to cut into even squares.
Skip it if your recipes go above 400°F; that is this pan’s stated limit.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Square, easy-to-portion shape
- Large capacity
- Serving-tray base
Cons
- 400°F limit
- No depth stated
- Round recipes need converting
9. HIWARE 9-inch Non-stick Springform Pan – Simple and Straightforward
If you make a cheesecake once or twice a year, HIWARE’s 9-inch springform covers the basics without the premium brands’ extras. The listing describes a double-layer nonstick coating, an upgraded stainless steel buckle that it says will not fall off or crack, and an oven limit of 450°F. HIWARE recommends hand washing.
The listing title calls the pan leakproof, but HIWARE gives no test or seal design to back that up, and King Arthur Baking warns that less expensive springform pans are prone to leaks. Our advice is the same as for every pan here: check how snugly the ring locks onto the base before you fill it, and wrap it in foil for any water bath.
The listing does not say what metal the pan is made of, how deep it is or how the base is shaped, which is why it sits last on this list. It is a reasonable first springform, or a second one for savory dishes, rather than the pan to build a dessert menu around.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel buckle, per the listing
- Double-layer nonstick coating
- Rated to 450°F
Key specifications
| Model | H9BZ |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 9 in |
| Depth | Not stated |
| Material | Not stated |
| Coating | Double-layer nonstick |
| Base | Not stated |
| Oven-safe to | 450°F |
| Dishwasher safe | Hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you bake cheesecake only occasionally and want a coated 9-inch springform without spending on a premium brand.
Skip it if you want verified leak performance or full specifications; the listing gives neither.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stainless buckle
- Stated oven limit
- Standard 9-inch size
Cons
- Material and depth not stated
- Leakproof claim untested
How to choose a springform pan that will not let you down
1. Start with 9 inches
King Arthur Baking says springforms come in sizes from about 4.5 to 12 inches, but most cheesecake and torte recipes are written for 9 inches. Buy that size first. A 10 or 11-inch pan spreads the same filling thinner and bakes faster; a 7 or 8-inch pan is for halved recipes.
2. Check the seal, then wrap anyway
King Arthur’s advice is to look at how tightly the walls lock onto the base, and it warns that less expensive springforms tend to leak. America’s Test Kitchen’s water-bath test found that even good pans can seep, and its standing advice is to wrap the pan in foil whenever it goes into water. Its method: two sheets of 18 by 12-inch heavy-duty foil, stacked at right angles, folded up and pressed firmly against the sides. A rimmed sheet pan underneath catches drips from fruit fillings.
3. Look at the base, not just the ring
ATK found that bases that are raised and wider than the collar are the easiest to use, because a spatula slides straight under each slice. Recessed bases with an upturned rim, like the All-Clad and Cuisinart, make that harder. A glass base, like Norpro’s, skips the problem by serving as the platter.
4. Light or dark finish
Darker pans absorb more heat and bake faster, according to ATK, so check a cheesecake in a charcoal pan a couple of minutes early. Lighter finishes, like USA Pan’s clear coating or All-Clad’s light nonstick, brown more gently.
5. Coated or uncoated
ATK treats a nonstick coating as close to essential for a springform: the one uncoated pan in its test let cake and crust stick. Uncoated anodized aluminum, like Fat Daddio’s, still works well if you grease the ring and line the base with parchment, and it has no coating to scratch. Coated pans set an oven ceiling, usually 450°F and sometimes lower, so match the limit to your recipes. For more on coated bakeware, see our guide to the best baking pan non stick.
Springform or solid pan: a note on flan
A springform is the right pan for cheesecake, for mousse and ice cream cakes, and for anything with a crumb crust that you serve upright. It is the wrong pan for a classic flan. As our guide to flan vs tres leches explains, flan starts with liquid caramel poured into the bottom of the mold, then custard, then a water bath, and it is turned out upside down. A seam at the base is exactly where that caramel and the bath water would get through.
For flan, use a solid mold or a solid round cake pan; our guide to the best baking pan cake covers deep rounds that work. Keep the springform for cream-cheese desserts and cheesecakes that are served upright, never inverted. For where flan, tres leches and the rest fit in, see our guide to Mexican desserts.
How we chose these nine springform pans
We started from what matters in a springform, the seal, the base, the depth and the coating, and looked for pans from established bakeware makers: Nordic Ware, USA Pan, All-Clad, Cuisinart, Wilton, Fat Daddio’s and Norpro, plus one lower-cost option. We searched Amazon US and checked each listing’s stock through Amazon’s product data, keeping only pans that were in stock when we checked.
Specifications come from each Amazon listing, and from USA Pan’s use-and-care page for its coating advice. Performance notes come from America’s Test Kitchen’s springform pan review, which baked cheesecakes in a dyed water bath and ran latch and washing durability checks, and from its how-to on leakproofing a springform. Sizing and sidewall advice comes from King Arthur Baking’s complete guide to baking pans. We left out USA Pan’s leakproof 1086SF, ATK’s top pick, only because its listing showed low stock when we checked; if it is back in stock when you shop, it is worth a look. Williams Sonoma’s Goldtouch pan, which ATK also rated highly, was not sold on Amazon when we looked, and Kaiser’s springforms on Amazon US were metric-sized imports with thin listings or low stock. We have not baked in these pans ourselves for this guide.
Springform pan questions, answered
What is the best brand of springform pan?
No single brand wins on everything. In America’s Test Kitchen’s review, USA Pan’s leakproof model came first, and Nordic Ware, All-Clad and Cuisinart all made its recommended list. For a single pan that is easy to find in stock, the Nordic Ware 9-inch is the one we would start with.
Which springform pan does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
ATK’s top pick is the USA Pan Leakproof Springform Pan, model 1086SF, which it praised for its tight bracket closures and raised base. It also rated the Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro highly and recommended the Nordic Ware 9-inch leakproof pan, the All-Clad Pro-Release and the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic. It did not recommend an uncoated Wilton aluminum pan.
Are any springform pans truly leakproof?
Not reliably. Several makers use the word, but ATK’s advice after its water-bath test is still to wrap any springform in foil before baking in water. King Arthur Baking adds that cheaper pans are more prone to leaks.
What size springform pan is most useful?
Nine inches, because most recipes are written for it. A ring at least 2.5 inches tall, King Arthur’s lower bound, gives room for a crust and filling; the Nordic Ware’s 3.1-inch ring gives more.
What type of springform pan is best for cheesecake?
A coated, 9-inch pan with a tight latch and a raised base that extends past the ring. A lighter finish browns the edges more gently; a dark finish works too if you check early.
Can you put a springform pan in the dishwasher?
Some, yes: Cuisinart and Wilton say theirs are dishwasher safe. Others, including the Nordic Ware per ATK, are hand wash only, and makers of coated pans generally recommend hand washing to make the coating last.
Our final word on springform pans
Buy the Nordic Ware 9-inch if you want one dependable springform, and wrap it in foil for a water bath. Choose USA Pan for a lighter finish, All-Clad for a premium coating and big handles, Cuisinart for easy cleanup, Wilton for handles and dishwasher care, Fat Daddio’s for an uncoated pan, Norpro to serve on glass, Nordic Ware’s square pan for bars, and HIWARE for an occasional cheesecake.
Making cheesecake in a water bath? See our picks for the best springform pan for cheesecake, chosen for leak resistance and tall sides.
Related guide: Springform pan alternative.
A springform is one specialty pan in a larger set. For the everyday rounds, squares and 9 by 13s, see our guide to the best baking pan cake bakers rely on, and for complete kits, the best baking pan sets. And if you would rather leave dessert to someone else tonight, see the menu or call to order.