Whether you're making an angel food cake or an Easter bunny cake, it helps to remember that baking is both an art and a science. Success with any recipe depends on carefully following the instructions and using the right equipment.

In this article, we provide some basic instructions and definitions that will make it easier for you to bake a cake. You'll learn about everything from selecting the proper baking pan to cooling and frosting a finished cake. We'll start with a rundown of the most common types of cakes on the next page.

Not what you're looking for? Try these:

  • Cake Recipes: Find basic cake recipes as well as ideas for types of cakes you may have never even heard of, all on our Cake Recipes page.
  • Cake Decorating: Whether you just want to add "Happy Birthday" in piped icing or are ready to attempt a field of frosting flowers, this article will provide the cake decorating tips you need.
  • Cooking: Learn the ins and outs of some basic cooking techniques in this helpful article.