Last Updated: November 11, 2026
A true cannelé de Bordeaux is a small fluted pastry with a dark, caramelized crust and a custardy, tender center. That contrast comes from the mold as much as the batter. Traditional pastry shops bake cannelés in tin-lined copper molds, which conduct heat quickly and evenly enough to build a deep crust before the inside overcooks. Home bakers, however, can also get decent results from nonstick carbon steel or silicone, and each material asks for a different routine, a different budget, and a different level of patience.
This guide is for home bakers in 2026 who want to compare cannelé molds by material, cavity size, and set count. Each pick is judged on the listing title: copper or nonstick, number of cavities, and stated diameter. One cream horn set from the original list was left out, because those are cannoli-style tubes for a different pastry. Always confirm exact dimensions on the product page, since cannelé molds are small and a half inch matters.
Mauviel M'Passion 4-Piece Copper Tinned Canele Mold Set, 1.8-in, Made in France
Included for '7 Best Canel Mold for Bordeaux Pastries (November 2026)' because the listing specifies 1.8-in and Made in France, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Mauviel M'Passion 4-Piece Copper Tinned Canele Mold Set, 2.2-in, Made in France
Included for '7 Best Canel Mold for Bordeaux Pastries (November 2026)' because the listing specifies 2.2-in and Made in France, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Matfer Bourgeat Cannelé Copper Tin-lined Mold, 2 3/16"
Included for '7 Best Canel Mold for Bordeaux Pastries (November 2026)' because the listing specifies 2 3/16", details this guide uses to compare options.
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The Love 12-Cavity Nonstick Canele Mold Baking Cake Pan for Bread Muffin Cake Baking Pan, Gold
Included for '7 Best Canel Mold for Bordeaux Pastries (November 2026)' because the listing specifies Gold, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Matfer Bourgeat Cannele Copper Tin Lined Mold
Included for '7 Best Canel Mold for Bordeaux Pastries (November 2026)' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
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Blushtier 6 Pcs Nonstick Canele Mold Cake Pan Muffin Bakeware Cupcake Pan | 2.8 Inch Carbon Steel Copper Color Pastry Mould, Small Cupcake Holders for Oven Baking Tool DIY Cake Muffin
Included for '7 Best Canel Mold for Bordeaux Pastries (November 2026)' because the listing specifies 2.8 Inch Carbon Steel Copper Color Pastry Mould and Small Cupcake Holders for Oven Baking Tool DIY Cake Muffin, details this guide uses to compare options.
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de Buyer ELASTOMOULE Cannele Silicone Mold - Creates 6 French Pastries - Easy to Use & Clean - Dishwasher Safe
Included for '7 Best Canel Mold for Bordeaux Pastries (November 2026)' because the listing specifies Creates 6 French Pastries and Easy to Use & Clean, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonQuick Picks
| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| Mauviel M’Passion Copper Set, 1.8 inch | Traditional, bite-size cannelés | 4 pieces, tin-lined copper, made in France |
| Mauviel M’Passion Copper Set, 2.2 inch | Classic bakery-size cannelés | 4 pieces, tin-lined copper, made in France |
| Matfer Bourgeat Copper Mold | Single-mold copper purchase | 2 3/16 inch, tin-lined copper |
| The Love 12-Cavity Nonstick Pan | Batch baking for a crowd | 12 cavities, nonstick, gold finish |
| Blushtier 6-Piece Nonstick Set | Carbon steel on a lower tier | 6 pieces, 2.8 inch, carbon steel |
| de Buyer ELASTOMOULE Silicone Mold | Easy release and cleanup | 6 cannelés, silicone, dishwasher safe |
| CHEFMADE 6-Cavity Nonstick Pan | Simple tray for beginners | 6 cavities, carbon steel, nonstick |
How to Choose
Decide between copper, nonstick metal, and silicone
Copper gives the classic result: a thin, dark, crunchy shell and a soft interior. It also demands seasoning with beeswax or butter, careful hand washing, and a higher outlay. Nonstick carbon steel bakes darker than aluminum and releases more easily, though the coating limits how long it lasts and how hot it can safely go. Silicone is the gentlest to use, but because it insulates, it tends to produce a paler, softer crust. Pick the material that matches how much ritual you enjoy.
Match the mold size to your batter and your oven
Authentic molds measure around 2 inches across. The listings here range from 1.8 inches up to 2.8 inches, and a bigger mold takes longer to bake and holds more batter. A smaller 1.8 inch mold gives a higher ratio of crust to center, closer to the pastry shop style. Check that your recipe’s batter amount fits the volume of your molds, and fill each about three quarters full, since the batter rises while baking.
Think about set size and workflow
Cannelé batter benefits from resting for a day, and the bake takes about an hour, so a pan with 12 cavities finishes a batch in one go while a 4 piece copper set needs repeat rounds. If you bake for guests, plan the cavity count around your oven capacity and how much tending you want. A single mold is a good way to test copper before investing in a set, and you can cool and reuse the molds while a second batch rests.
Plan the care routine
Copper molds should be washed by hand, dried right away, and seasoned lightly before baking. Nonstick pans should avoid metal utensils and aggressive scrubbing. Silicone molds are usually dishwasher safe but need a sturdy baking sheet underneath for support, and they flex when loaded with batter. Whichever route you pick, always grease and preheat according to your recipe, and expect the first batch to teach you something.
The 7 Best Options
Mauviel M’Passion Copper Set, 1.8 inch
Mauviel is a French copper cookware maker, and this set contains four tin-lined copper cannelé molds measuring 1.8 inches, made in France. The smaller diameter produces bite-size pastries with a high crust-to-center ratio, in the style of a patisserie petit four. It is a gift-worthy set for serious bakers, and the copper rewards patient technique. Someone who already makes madeleines or financiers and wants a tougher, more rewarding project will find this a natural next step, especially for plated desserts or a coffee-hour tray.
- Strength: tin-lined copper is the traditional material for the pastry.
- Strength: four molds make a decent small batch, and French manufacture is stated.
- Trade-off: copper needs seasoning and hand washing, and smaller molds are fiddly to fill.
Skip it if you want to bake large batches, prefer low-maintenance cookware, or dislike small, fiddly molds.
Mauviel M’Passion Copper Set, 2.2 inch
The same four-piece Mauviel set comes in a 2.2 inch diameter, closer to a standard bakery cannelé. The bigger size feels more like the pastry sold in Bordeaux, with a generous center and a thicker crust. It suits bakers who want the traditional experience and have the oven time to bake several rounds. Home cooks who have eaten the pastry in a Paris bakery and want to recreate it will recognize the proportions, and the set stores neatly in a drawer.
- Strength: 2.2 inches matches a traditional cannelé size.
- Strength: copper conducts heat quickly for a deep crust.
- Trade-off: it is a premium purchase, and four molds mean multiple bakes for a crowd.
Skip it if you are not ready to commit to seasoning and caring for copper.
Matfer Bourgeat Copper Mold
Matfer Bourgeat is a professional kitchen brand, and its copper tin-lined mold measures 2 3/16 inches. The listing describes a single mold, which makes it an inexpensive way to try copper before buying a full set. The size is close to the bakery standard and sits between the two Mauviel options. Part of the title text is garbled, so confirm the exact count on the page. Culinary students and serious hobbyists often buy one mold first to practice seasoning and timing, then add more once the technique is dialed in.
- Strength: a pro-kitchen brand with tin-lined copper construction.
- Strength: buying a single mold lets you test the technique first.
- Trade-off: one mold produces one pastry per round, which is slow.
Skip it if you plan to bake for a group or want a ready-made set.
The Love 12-Cavity Nonstick Pan
This gold-finish nonstick pan holds twelve cannelés at once and is also pitched for bread, muffin, and cake baking. Twelve cavities cut baking time dramatically, so it works well for gatherings and gift boxes. It is the volume option on this list, though it trades the traditional crust of copper for convenience. A host baking for a dinner party, a school fundraiser, or a gift tin will appreciate being able to bake and unmold all twelve with one pan and one timer.
- Strength: twelve cavities bake a full batch in a single round.
- Strength: nonstick coating eases release for beginners.
- Trade-off: nonstick pans usually produce a lighter crust than copper.
Skip it if the crunchy dark crust is the point for you.
Blushtier 6-Piece Nonstick Set
Blushtier sells six separate carbon steel nonstick molds at 2.8 inches each, with a copper color finish. The larger size makes a bigger pastry than the traditional style, closer to a muffin. Six loose molds can be arranged on a baking sheet and are easy to store. It suits bakers who want to try the shape without buying copper, and who also like making oversized treats, such as small custard cakes, with the same molds.
- Strength: six individual molds offer flexible arrangement on a tray.
- Strength: carbon steel heats quickly and evenly.
- Trade-off: 2.8 inches is larger than the classic size, so the crust-to-center ratio changes.
Skip it if you want authentic size or a single connected tray, since loose molds can shift on a crowded sheet pan.
de Buyer ELASTOMOULE Silicone Mold
de Buyer is a French bakeware brand, and the ELASTOMOULE mold creates six French pastries in a flexible silicone tray that is dishwasher safe. Release is easy because the mold bends, and cleaning takes seconds. It suits bakers who want a low-fuss route with a recognizable brand. Anyone who bakes rarely, rents a small kitchen, or wants to avoid seasoning rituals will find a flexible tray easy to live with, and it stores flat or rolled in a drawer.
- Strength: flexible silicone makes unmolding easy.
- Strength: dishwasher-safe cleanup saves time.
- Trade-off: silicone insulates, so the crust tends to be softer.
Skip it if you want the dark, crisp shell of metal molds, because silicone rarely delivers that deep caramelized color.
CHEFMADE 6-Cavity Nonstick Pan
CHEFMADE offers a six-cavity carbon steel pan with a nonstick coating in a green finish. A single connected tray is easier to move in and out of the oven than loose molds. It suits beginners wanting a straightforward tray. Parents baking with kids, apartment cooks with a small oven, and anyone testing a recipe before investing in better molds can use it for a few rounds and decide whether the hobby is worth upgrading.
- Strength: a one-piece tray is simple to handle.
- Strength: six cavities suit a small household.
- Trade-off: cavity diameter is not visible in the title, so confirm before ordering.
Skip it if size accuracy matters and you want a stated diameter, or if you plan to follow a recipe that depends on exact batter volume.
Which One Fits Your Situation
You want the traditional bakery result
Choose the Mauviel M’Passion 2.2 inch set. Tin-lined copper and the classic diameter give the closest match to a Bordeaux pastry, and the set of four lets you bake in small rounds while the next batch of batter rests.
You want to try copper without a large investment
Pick the single Matfer Bourgeat copper mold. It lets you learn seasoning and baking times before buying more, and the 2 3/16 inch size keeps you close to a bakery cannelé.
You bake for crowds
The 12-cavity pan from The Love produces a dozen pastries at once. It is the practical route for parties and bake sales.
You hate scrubbing molds
Go for the de Buyer silicone mold, which is dishwasher safe, or either nonstick pan for easier release. All three give up some crust for convenience, which is a fair trade for weeknight baking.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the resting period for the batter, which weakens flavor and texture.
- Overfilling the molds, which causes the batter to rise and spill.
- Washing copper in the dishwasher, which strips the seasoning and dulls the metal.
- Expecting a deep, dark crust from silicone.
- Buying a larger mold than your recipe suits without adjusting bake time, which can leave the center underdone while the outside darkens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need copper molds for cannelés?
No. Copper is traditional and gives a distinctive crust, but nonstick metal and silicone molds can also work.
How do I season a copper mold?
Many bakers brush the inside with melted butter or a beeswax blend before baking. Follow the manufacturer’s care guidance.
Why did my cannelés stick?
Under-greased or poorly seasoned molds are a common cause. Make sure every flute is coated before filling.
What size is a traditional cannelé?
Most are around 2 inches across, which is why 1.8 to 2.2 inch molds are popular for the classic style. Larger molds still work, but you will need to lengthen the bake and watch the color.
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