I'm planning on using this pan for the first time later this week and am wondering if I need to use a Heating Core baking insert? I was originally going to use the soccer ball pan and the review on the Wilton website indicated it was necessary due to the edges being overcooked. I can't find any reviews on the football pan so I'm not sure. The two pans seem to have the same depth.

Thanks for any advice.........

Is this the half football shape? If so, I've never used a heating core in it.

I've had this pan for a long time and love it. A couple of things though - I always bake on 325 instead of 350 so it does take a little longer to bake. I do this in all deep pans though and they bake more evenly. Then after the cake has cooled out of the pan for about an hour, I wrap the cake in plastic wrap and put it back in the pan for several
hours - preferably overnight. This helps the cake to settle in the shape of the pan instead of spreading out. I also do this to other pans that have both shape and depth.

By the way, I use this pan almost every year for Super Bowl events. On some occasions when I needed something different I have formed RKT using cocoa krispies and decorating it. Everyone always loves it.

I've had this pan for a long time and love it. A couple of things though - I always bake on 325 instead of 350 so it does take a little longer to bake. I do this in all deep pans though and they bake more evenly. Then after the cake has cooled out of the pan for about an hour, I wrap the cake in plastic wrap and put it back in the pan for several
hours - preferably overnight. This helps the cake to settle in the shape of the pan instead of spreading out. I also do this to other pans that have both shape and depth.

By the way, I use this pan almost every year for Super Bowl events. On some occasions when I needed something different I have formed RKT using cocoa krispies and decorating it. Everyone always loves it.

I too have had this pan a long time and as thallo I bake at 325, without the heating core and on a cookie sheet. I have always had very good luck with it!! I use the durable 3D recipe posted on here. Post a picture when you are done! Good Luck

Thanks for the help. I'd love to try the durable 3D recipe at some point but can't for this cake b/c the child this is for has an egg allergy.....