A cake pan is a pan designed to bake a cake in, in an oven. It can be made of metal, enameled metal, silicone, heat-proof glass, ceramic or terracotta. Most metal ones made now have non-stick surfaces. Cake pans can also be used for casseroles, squares, no-bake desserts, layered party dips. One that conducts heat to the batter steadily so the cake can rise even and flat; one that's large enough to give the batter room to grow, and light enough to keep the crust delicate and thin.