Oven Temperature Guide for Baking

Getting the oven temperature right is the single most important factor in successful baking. Too hot and your cake burns on the outside while staying raw in the middle. Too cool and it comes out dense and pale. This complete guide gives you the right temperature for every baked good.

Why Baking Temperature Matters So Much

Unlike cooking on the hob, baking is a precise science. Temperature affects:

• How quickly the outside sets vs. how the inside rises
• Whether butter melts slowly (tender crumb) or quickly (spread cookies)
• How much moisture evaporates during baking
• The colour and texture of the crust or surface

Oven Temperature Guide for Common Baked Goods

Cakes

• Victoria sponge / layer cakes: 170–180°C / 340–350°F (conventional) | 160°C fan
• Chocolate cake: 170–180°C / 340–350°F (conventional) | 160°C fan
• Cheesecake (baked): 150–160°C / 300–320°F (conventional, low and slow)
• Bundt cake / pound cake: 160–170°C / 325–340°F (conventional)
• Cupcakes and muffins: 180–190°C / 350–375°F (conventional) | 170°C fan

Cookies and Biscuits

• Chocolate chip cookies: 180–190°C / 350–375°F | 170°C fan
• Shortbread: 160–170°C / 325–340°F | 150°C fan (low and slow for crumbly texture)
• Gingerbread: 180°C / 350°F | 160°C fan
• Macarons: 150–160°C / 300–320°F | 140°C fan

Bread

• White sandwich loaf: 200°C / 400°F | 180°C fan
• Sourdough / artisan bread: 220–240°C / 425–465°F (start high, reduce after 20 mins)
• Bread rolls: 200–210°C / 400–410°F | 190°C fan
• Focaccia: 200–220°C / 400–425°F | 190°C fan

Pastry

• Shortcrust pastry (blind bake): 190–200°C / 375–400°F | 180°C fan
• Puff pastry: 200–220°C / 400–425°F | 190°C fan
• Choux pastry (eclairs, profiteroles): 200–220°C / 400–425°F
• Filo pastry: 180–190°C / 350–375°F | 170°C fan

Other Baked Goods

• Meringues: 90–110°C / 195–230°F (very low, 1.5–2 hours)
• Brownies: 170–180°C / 340–350°F | 160°C fan
• Scones: 200–220°C / 400–425°F | 200°C fan (high heat, short time)
• Quiche / savoury tart: 180–190°C / 350–375°F | 170°C fan

Fan vs. Conventional: Which to Use for Baking?

• Fan oven: Best for cookies, pastries, bread, and multi-tray baking
• Conventional: Best for delicate cakes, soufflés, cheesecakes, and meringues

Always Verify Your Oven Temperature

Oven thermostats can be off by 10–25°C, which makes a significant difference in baking. The Oven Thermometer 2 Pack (50–300°C / 100–600°F) is an essential baking tool — place it in the centre of the oven to confirm your actual temperature before you start baking.

Use the Right Baking Equipment

Temperature alone isn't enough — the right pans make a real difference. The Umite Chef Natural Aluminum Half Sheet Pan Set (2 Pack, 18x13 inch) distributes heat evenly and resists warping — ideal for cookies, pastries, and roasting. Pair it with the Ultra Cuisine Stainless Steel Cooling and Baking Rack Set for even airflow underneath your baked goods.

Summary

Most baking happens between 150°C and 220°C (300–425°F). Use the temperature guide above as your reference, always verify with an oven thermometer, and choose fan or conventional mode based on the delicacy of what you're baking.