I'm very pleased to be able to return to write another Ask a Baker post after its brief hibernation during our busy July 4th season here at Muddy's Bake Shop! This question has been sitting in my inbox for far too long, and I am super excited about answering it:
I notice more and more cookie recipes calling for the cookies to be baked on parchment. Sometimes recipes call for a greased cookie sheet, and sometimes not. Should you grease? Should you use parchment? Does it depend on the recipe?
You'd be hard pressed to find a bigger cookie fan than me, so you better believe I am a big fan of cookie questions! Every one of them reminds me of yet another of the myriad of factors that can go into why your cookies are always amazing or never, ever turn out.
You may have noticed from photos I have posted in the past, we bake all of our cookies at Muddy's Bake Shop on parchment. We never grease our pans. As most cookies are loaded with delicious butter fats, they release VERY easily from the parchment; and for no other reason than decreasing the number of dishes in the kitchen, I would highly recommend baking your cookies on parchment to anyone!
There are additional reasons to switch from greasing your cookie sheet to using parchment. It turns out MOST cookies turn out far more reliably when baked on parchment and without grease on the pan. There are two ways in which a greased pan may negatively affect your cookies:
1. The additional fats are likely to seep into your cookie and cause more spreading and less rise than desired.
2. Most fats have a lower heat tolerance than your cookie dough requires to mature into a fully baked cookie. Additional butter or oil on your pan can cause the bottom of your cookies to burn, and sometimes the sides if the fats pool at all between the cookies. (And I probably don't need to tell you, burnt oil is also a PAIN to clean off pans!)
One exception to my advice to generally skip greasing the cookie sheet: when baking lace cookies or other delicacies that benefit from a large amount of spread, reach for that lump of butter or non-stick spray!
If you don't have any parchment in the house and really don't feel like going out to buy any, remember that many of today's baking sheets already have a non-stick surface, and the fat content of most cookies make many recipes unlikely to stick anyway. Silicone mats are a great reusable alternative, as well!
But parchment paper is always reliable. Our Gingerbread Men here at Muddy's Bake Shop were baked on parchment, and they give parchment two thumbs up!
Yes, I am featuring a picture of Gingerbread Men in July! Don't hate me for triggering that craving--you can satisfy it soon at Muddy's! Our Christmas in July menu will be featured all week July 21-July 26! Don't miss out!
Happy baking!
ps. Some links may be affiliate links, but never fear-- we only recommend something if we truly believe in it!
FAQs
It turns out MOST cookies turn out far more reliably when baked on parchment and without grease on the pan. There are two ways in which a greased pan may negatively affect your cookies: 1. The additional fats are likely to seep into your cookie and cause more spreading and less rise than desired.
Should I grease cookie sheet if I don't have parchment paper? ›
A greased baking sheet is a quick, easy substitute for parchment paper. This method works for most cases unless you have a particularly sticky ingredient. Both the additional fat and the direct contact of the food with the baking sheet can subtly impact the resulting food.
Why is it important to grease the baking sheet? ›
This makes it easier to evenly and easily release your baked goods from the pan, resulting in even cooking with no burning or sticking. Greasing also helps your dish retain moisture, ensuring that whatever you bake comes out perfectly cooked all through without being dry or burnt.
Do you need to grease baking paper? ›
Baking paper is siliconized on both sides of the paper, which stops food from sticking, making it ideal for cooking & baking. Greaseproof Paper is not siliconized, so if you intend on cooking with it, coat it well with oil to ensure that food does not stick.
What happens if you don't grease a pan before baking? ›
When a cake bakes in a non-greased pan, it will adhere to the glass or metal instead of having a thin layer of fat or oil working as a layer of defense. So, in your attempt to remove the cake from the pan the cake will struggle to come out, which will often result in the crumb tearing or falling to pieces.
Do you grease a cookie sheet when baking cookies? ›
It turns out MOST cookies turn out far more reliably when baked on parchment and without grease on the pan. There are two ways in which a greased pan may negatively affect your cookies: 1. The additional fats are likely to seep into your cookie and cause more spreading and less rise than desired.
Can I bake cookies directly on a baking tray? ›
In a pinch, baking directly on an ungreased baking sheet will work fine; the cookies have enough fat in them to prevent severe sticking — although you might need a thin metal spatula to pop some of them off.
Why ungreased cookie sheet? ›
Oftentimes, cookie recipes will specify that you use an "ungreased baking sheet," and the reason is that in your 350-degree oven, the bottoms of your cookies can start to sizzle in that extra grease. Instead of greasing your cookie sheet, line it with a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
What does greased baking sheet mean? ›
Grease the bottom and sides of the pan well” would mean that you should put a light coating of fat (butter, lard, shorting, cooking spray) on the bottom and sides of the pan. This is done to prevent whatever is being cooked from sticking to the pan.
Which side of parchment paper is non-stick? ›
Since parchment paper doesn't have a helpful “this end up” sign with an arrow, it takes a little detective work. Just hold the paper up to the light and look for the side that's slightly glossier or shinier. It is the shiny or glossy side of the parchment paper that should be face up on your baking sheet or cake pan.
Despite its heat resistance, parchment paper can't handle the heat of any broiler, which can reach temperatures upward of 500°F. And wax paper? It should never come near the high heat of the oven or broiler. So, remember, stay safe and skip the paper when it comes to broiling.
Why butter under parchment? ›
Greasing Pans
Rege always uses oil or butter in addition to parchment to ensure that everything will come out cleanly. She makes sure to grease the pan before adding parchment (which helps the parchment adhere and hold in place), then greases the parchment surface as well.
What is the best grease for baking pans? ›
Canola oil-based sprays are his preference, though olive oil sprays can also be used (but can impart a flavor to your baked good, which might not be ideal). "I don't like using hydrogenated fats, such as Crisco, for greasing pans because they turn to oil too quickly and compromise the batter," he adds.
Can I use Pam instead of grease and flour? ›
Some bakers report that cooking sprays leave residue that builds up and stains their pans over time. If your recipe specifically calls for misting the cake pan, then do so, but otherwise spraying a pan cannot replace greasing and flouring.
Should I grease the sides of a baking pan? ›
For extra insurance against sticking, grease the sides of the pan and use a piece of parchment on the bottom.
What can I use if I don't have parchment paper? ›
From Foil to Silicone: The Best Alternatives to Parchment Paper
- Aluminium foil. Aluminium foil is probably your best option for replacing parchment paper. ...
- Greased pan. ...
- Cooking spray. ...
- Silicone baking pad/mat. ...
- Wax paper. ...
- Non-stick sheet pans.
Greasing and Flouring
Use oil, vegetable shortening or vegan butter. Generously apply it onto the cake pan with a pastry brush, paper towel, or your fingers. Add a tablespoon or two of flour to the cake pan for a white or vanilla cake.
How do I bake cookies if I don't have parchment paper? ›
Instead of baking paper, you can use greased aluminum foil or simply grease the baking tray directly. Just ensure the surface is well-greased to prevent sticking. I've used this method countless times, and the cookies turn out just fine. No need for an extra trip to the store!
What to put on a baking sheet so cookies don't stick? ›
Line Your Pan or Cookie Sheet
Whether your recipe calls for a greased pan or not, you can line your pan or cookie sheet with foil, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat. Foil or parchment paper will enable you to lift the whole batch of bars from the pan at once when it's time to cut them.
