Are paper cake liners used to bake cakes or only placed on after baking?

Here's why:

* Prevent sticking: The paper acts as a barrier between the cake batter and the pan, preventing the cake from sticking to the sides. This makes it easier to remove the cake after baking.

* Even browning: The paper helps to distribute heat more evenly, resulting in a more consistently browned cake.

* Easy cleanup: After baking, the paper liner can be easily discarded, leaving the pan clean.

While you could technically use paper liners after baking, it wouldn't serve much purpose. They wouldn't prevent sticking, and the cake would be harder to remove from the pan.

So, unless you're specifically using the paper liner for decoration, it's best to use them during baking.