A method for performing an automatic cooking process in an oven is described. The oven is in a preheated state with a 1st starting temp. at the beginning of the automatic cooking process. The method includes the following steps of switching off at least 1 heating element during a cooling down period and finishing the cooling down period after a cooling down time, when a predetermined 1st end temp. has been reached. The cooling down time is detected. The method includes the further steps of switching on at least 1 heating element during a heating up period and finishing the heating up period after a heating up time and/or when a predetermined 2nd end temp. has been reached. A mathematical function including the cooling down time and the heating up time is used in order to determine further parameters of the cooking process.