Instant Pot Cake Setting: What is it? Which Models Have it?

Instant Pots have smart programs to help you cook more conveniently. Wondering about the Instant Pot Cake Setting? Check out what I learned in looking it up. 

The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cookers have smart programs that they created based on extensive testing. They are used to control heat intensity, temperature, pressure, and duration at the click of a button. The Instant Pot Cake Setting is one of these programs.

One thing to note: Not all Instant Pot sizes have the same set of smart programs available within a model series. For example, within a series (e.x. Lux, and Ultra), the 3 quart models do not have all of the not all smart programs are available compared to the 6 and 8 quart models. This is particularly true about the Instant Pot Cake Setting, which is only available as part of certain series. Double check the Instant Pot you are thinking of buying prior to purchase if the Cake smart program is important to you. The Cake smart program is not included in the smallest, 3 quart, models.

And one more note: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you buy through my link. You won’t pay any more if you use this link.

What does the Instant Pot Cake Setting Do?

Like the the other Instant Pot Smart Programs, the Instant Pot Cake Setting presets the cooking pressure, heat intensity, temperature, and time.

By default, the button cooks at high pressure for different lengths of time.

• Normal Setting: 40 minutes, and is for lighter, moist cakes.
• More Setting: 50 minutes, and is for denser moist cakes
• Less Setting: 25 minutes, and is for New York style cheesecakes

Which Instant Pot models have the Instant Pot Cake Setting

Be aware that not all models within a series have all the feature buttons associated with the series. Specially, the Instant Pot Mini 3 quart model may not have all the features the 6 quart and 8 quart within in the series have.

And before you make a purchase, make sure you double check the Instant Pot Cake function is available on that particular model. In the case of the Lux 6 quart, it was an addition to the Version 3. If you happen to find an Lux 6 quart that was manufactured before the switch, it might not have the button. 

Which Instant Pot models have the Cake Setting?

Of the Instant Pot models, the Lux, Duo Plus, and Ultra series include the cake setting for the 6 quart and 8 quart models. The smaller 3 quart sizes for each series do not have the cake button. You can still make a cake in your smaller Instant Pot using the manual (pressure cook) button.

What if your Instant Pot doesn’t have the Cake Button?

Don’t worry. You don’t have to miss out on making cakes (cheesecake!!) in your Instant Pot if it doesn’t have a cake button. Most recipes use manual (or pressure cook) in the cooking instructions.

Even for myself, I would love an Instant Pot with a cake program, but have two 3 quart minis so it’s not currently in option in any of the models. I successfully made a chocolate cake (using half a boxed cake mix cooked on the manual setting) that was delicious even without the cake setting! And if you love cheesecake, that was amazing too! I’ve made two of those so far (first time making cheesecake EVER) and it wasn’t as overwhelming as it sounds.

The Fat Daddio push pans fit the Instant Pots really well and make it easy to “push” the cake out of the pan once it’s done. The 6-inch pan fits the 3 quart and larger Instant Pots. And the 7-inch pan fits the 6 quart and larger Instant Pots. Tip: I decided to buy a few of the pans to have on hand in case I want to make a few cakes or things back to back.

Over to you. What do you think about the Instant Pot Cake Setting?

Is this a setting you want on your Instant Pot or are you trying to make cakes with a manual setting process?

Additional Instant Pot Information

Beyond looking for the cake setting, you may also want to compare the Instant Pot Models side by side as you decide which one to buy. To help, I put together the following:

• Comparing the Instant Pot Duo vs Lux
• Comparing the Instant Pot Ultra vs Duo