How to Make a Parchment Circle, in Pictures

We've all been there: excited over the prospect of a home-baked cake, you hastily assemble all of the necessary ingredients, read through the instructions, and realize one crucial step was overlooked: how to prep the cake pans. Now you could certainly purchase parchment rounds (and may as well so you're stocked for the next go-around), but sometimes cake cannot wait, and you must take matters into your own hands. Luckily, with a little know-how (if you've ever made a paper snowflake, the process will seem familiar), this is an easy fix.

Gather Materials

Gather Materials

All you need is the cake pan you're looking to line, a rough square of parchment slightly larger than the pan's bottom, and a sharp knife.

Fold the Square in Half

Fold the Square in Half

Fold the square in half, making a sharp crease with the side of your finger.

Photo: David Whitley

Fold the Rectangle Into a Square

Fold the Rectangle Into a Square

Photo: David Whitley

Fold Into a Triangle

Fold Into a Triangle

Fold the parchment into a right-angled triangle.

Photo: David Whitley

Fold Into a Smaller Triangle

Fold Into a Smaller Triangle

Photo: David Whitley

Size the Parchment

Size the Parchment

Align the pointed tip of the triangle with the center of the cake pan. Press the remainder of the triangle flush to the bottom of the pan, and using firm pressure run your fingernail along the curved edge of the pan to make a sharp crease.

Photo: David Whitley

Cut It to Size

Cut It to Size

Cut the parchment with a sharp knife (a chef's knife would be ideal) where creased from the pan.

Photo: David Whitley

Unfold

Unfold

Unfold the parchment, and you're ready to properly prep the pan for cakes of all types.