Baking Basics: Pan Preparation
Our many years of experience in the test kitchen baking pies, tarts, cakes, cookies, muffins, and quick breads have shown us the most effective way to prepare a pan for baking.
Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is an extremely useful baker's tool. It can be used to line round, loaf, or rectangular baking pans for an effortless release; to line baking sheets and jelly-roll pans; and to make rolling out dough easier.
Do not use waxed paper in place of parchment paper except in instances where it will not be exposed to the direct heat of the oven. used to line the bottom of a cake pan, waxed paper is fine, but if used on a cookie sheet, the wax coating will melt.