A cake tin is a metal pan designed for baking cakes, giving the batter its shape as it sets in the oven. Common forms include round sandwich tins, square tins, deep round tins for fruit cakes, loaf tins, and springform tins with removable sides for delicate tortes. Good tins are made from heavy-gauge aluminium or steel for even heat conduction, and non-stick coatings or lining with baking parchment prevent sticking. Choosing the right size matters: too large and the cake bakes thin and dry, too small and it overflows. Proper tins are the foundation of reliable, evenly baked cakes.