greased and floured 12 flute cup or tube pan

A baking pan is a specialized cookware vessel designed for oven-based preparation of cakes, breads, and similar baked goods. A 12-flute cup or tube pan, also known as a Bundt pan (a trademarked design), features a central tube surrounded by a ring-shaped cavity with 12 equally spaced vertical flutes or ridges that create decorative grooves in the finished cake. The pan is typically made from aluminum or steel and ranges from 10 to 16 cups in capacity. When greased and floured, the pan's surface is prepared to prevent sticking and ensure easy release of baked goods while creating a thin, crispy exterior layer on the cake.

The greased and floured tube pan serves as the vessel for baking ring-shaped cakes, particularly pound cakes, bundt cakes, angel food cakes, and coffee cakes. The greasing (typically with butter or cooking spray) and flouring create a non-stick barrier, while the decorative flutes imprint ridged patterns into the cake's exterior. This preparation method is essential for cakes with delicate crumbs or those prone to sticking; the flour adheres to the grease, creating a release agent. After baking and cooling, the cake is inverted and turned out onto a wire rack or serving plate, where the fluted design becomes a prominent visual feature.