Tips for baking perfect cakes without expensive equipment
Written by deepali verma | October 23, 2025
Home baking is special to bakers, no matter what. The warm smell wafting through your kitchen, the feeling of pride when it rises perfectly, and the smiling faces waiting to taste it, it's special every time. But honestly, not everybody has fancy mixers, silicone molds, or industrial ovens at home. And to be honest, you don't need them. With a little patience, household staples, and the proper tips for baking ideal cakes, anyone can make a cake that is just as good in appearance and taste as a bakery's.
In an Indian home, a regular pressure cooker, basic whisk, or even a steel plate usually comes to the rescue as the secret hero of baking. From Sunday treats for children to birthday goodies without venturing out, baking is no longer about the appliances, it's all about creativity and intelligent tweaks. So, whether you're a chocolate cake fanatic, a fruit sponge enthusiast, or a soft vanilla bake lover, these simple-to-implement tips will enable you to whip up magic without burning a hole in your wallet.
Gather your mixing bowl, spoon, and some common kitchen items, and let's go through the process of baking the ultimate cake right at home in your kitchen.
Use Pressure Cooker as Your Oven
No oven available at home? The Indian baker's best friend is a pressure cooker. Add salt at the bottom to avoid direct heat, add a stand, and heat for 10 minutes before putting the cake pan. This will be an even heat condition similar to an oven. Always remove the gasket and whistle to enable safe passage of air. The cooker provides your cake with a soft and level rise without any expensive investment.
Use Whisk and Spoon Over Electric Mixers
A hand mixer might save time, but a balloon whisk or even better spoon will do the trick if used in the right way. Whisk together eggs and sugar in a large bowl until pale and light, then gently fold in dry ingredients. It will take you a couple of minutes more, but the air you lock while whisking determines how light your cake will be. An old-fashioned steel whisk will produce the same results as any fancy tool if your hand is steady.
Use Steel Plates or Small Kadhai as Cake Tins
In case you do not have several baking tins, a plain steel plate, kadai, or aluminium container can also serve as an excellent cake tin. The only precaution is to grease it well with oil and dust it with flour before adding the batter. You may even line the bottom with butter paper cut to size. These traditional utensils ensure even distribution of heat, and so your cake will cook evenly without having to spend money on bakeware.
Measure With Cups and Spoons, Not Scales
You may not always have digital weighing scales at home, but regular cups and spoons will do. Keep one set of measuring cups, and use the same cup for flour, sugar, and liquid to keep things balanced. An easy rule: one standard cup is approximately 240 ml.
Ingredients Best at Room Temperature
Indian kitchens also tend to refrigerate butter, which keeps it too stiff to cream. Grate cold butter or soften it on the countertop for 15 minutes before baking. Eggs also cream well when at room temperature. Having ingredients at room temperature ensures that the batter mixes well and the cake will bake evenly.
Steam Method for Spongy Cakes
If you do not want to use a cooker or oven, then steaming is an excellent idea. Put your batter in a steel vessel, cover it with an aluminium foil, and steam on average heat for 30-40 minutes. Steaming traps moisture and provides a spongy cake, almost like a pudding cake.
Baking Without Parchment Paper
If butter paper is not available, grease the tin thoroughly and dust well with flour before pouring in the batter. For added safety, cover the outside of the tin to prevent edges from overbrowning in cookers. This old trick prevents the cake from sticking and tearing its way out, which spares you the anxiety of having to purchase rolls of parchment each time.