Cooling
Letting a baked good lose heat after baking, often in the pan briefly, then on a wire rack, so it sets properly and doesn't turn soggy.
- Techniques and preparation methods
Also called: cooling rack, cooling completely, wire rack
Baked goods keep cooking from residual heat, and their structure finishes setting as they cool. Most cakes rest in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before turning out. A wire rack lets air circulate underneath so the bottom doesn't steam and get soggy.
Cheesecakes, custard pies and fruit pies need several hours to cool and set before slicing.
Bake it at VanillaGoods
Tools for this
Checkered Chef Cooling RacksAir on all sides so bottoms stay crisp, not soggy.See it on Amazon
Nordic Ware Half Sheet PanThe heavy aluminum pan bakeries use: even browning, no warping.See it on Amazon
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Related entries
Sources
Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
- Cooling (Q321995), Wikidata