Can you bake an angel food cake in a regular pan?

You can't bake an angel food cake in a regular pan, not without some serious modifications. Here's why:

* The Pan's Material: Angel food cakes require a special pan with tall, fluted sides and a non-stick, ungreased surface. This allows the cake to rise and fall freely without sticking. Regular pans usually have a flat bottom and are made of materials like aluminum, which is not ideal for angel food cakes.

* The Cake's Texture: Angel food cakes are light and airy due to the whipped egg whites that make up the majority of the batter. They need the space to rise and then deflate naturally in the oven. A regular pan will constrain the cake, making it denser and less fluffy.

* The Cooling Process: The cake needs to hang upside down after baking to cool and prevent it from sinking in the middle. This is only possible with a special angel food cake pan.

What can you do if you don't have an angel food cake pan?

1. Use a Bundt Pan: While not perfect, a Bundt pan can be a substitute. You'll likely get a slightly denser cake, but it will still be quite delicious.

2. Use a Tube Pan: If you have a tube pan (like a bundt pan, but without the decorative sides), it can also work. However, it won't have the same fluted effect, so the cake might not be as airy.

Regardless of the pan, here are some tips:

* Don't Grease the Pan: This will prevent the cake from rising properly.

* Use Parchment Paper: Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

* Cool Upside Down: If possible, cool the cake upside down on a bottle or a couple of upside-down bowls to help it retain its airiness.

While it's not ideal, you can bake a decent angel food cake in a regular pan with some effort and adaptation. But if you bake it often, investing in a proper angel food cake pan is worth it for the best results.