9 Pans That Every Baker Should Know

If you are ready to tackle any baking project it is important to have a range of tools in your baking arsenal. My baking pans are the back bone of my baking operation.

pans

It is important to note that baking pans are made of metal, not to be confused with baking dishes that are traditionally made of glass. I prefer to use pans for baked goods. Most newer baking pans come with a non-stick surface, making them much easier to clean.

PANS

Here is a breakdown of the pans I keep handy in my cupboard.

Springform: This unique pan is actually two pieces. Round in shape, the pan has a locking device on one side that will release the base of the pan, making cakes easier to remove. This clever device is great for cakes that are too delicate to be turned over, like a cheesecake, torte or flourless cake. The separate parts are also great for easy clean up.

Muffin: Also known as a muffin tin, a muffin pan is unique in shape. It features circular craters up to 2 inches deep that are used for baking mini-cakes (or muffins!). The pan usually comes with slots for 6 or 12 muffins and is also perfect for baking cupcakes!

Bread: The bread pan is easily recognizable by its "loaf" shape. The rectangular shape helps the loaf rise while it is baking. This pan is ideal for making Dassant beer bread, or pumpkin bread.

Bundt: The Bundt pan is all about presentation. This oddly shaped pan is used for baking decorative, fluted cakes. The tubed center allows for even cooking while the carvings on the side of the pan create a unique, decorative cake.

Tube: The tube pan is much like a Bundt pan without the fluted sides. The walls are a bit taller, but the circular cake still cooks evenly. This pan is commonly used for Angel Food Cake.

Baking Sheet: A baking sheet is flat, with short sides that keep food from sliding off. Also known as a sheet pan, the baking sheet is generally used for cooking baked goods. The pan comes in lighter or darker shades of grey. Darker shades will create a crispier end product.

Cookie Sheet: Unlike a baking sheet, a cookie sheet is completely flat. There are no sides. Cookie sheets are often mistaken for baking sheets, but the open sides ideal for scraping cookies off as they have finished baking.

Pie: This shallow circular-shaped pan has slanted sides for easy removal of pie pieces.

Tart: Unlike a pie pan, a tart pan has straight sides. Like a Springform pan, the bottom of the pan is often removable. The pan sometimes has fluted sides, but also comes in a smooth variety. The tart pan creates a taller, less slanted shape than the pie pan.

What is your favorite type of baking pan? Are there any that I missed?

9 Pans That Every Baker Should Know

Emily Ward

Contributor, http://www.scottymacblog.com

PANS

Why You Should Have A Big Appetite For Mini Bundt Pans

Mini Bundt pans make a great addition to virtually any kitchen. These smaller scale versions of the tried and true traditional versions are fun, easy to use and inexpensive. If you do not have mini Bundt pans in your kitchen, you may want to consider purchasing one as soon as possible.

pans and pots

The traditional Bundt pan, as popularized by manufactures like Nordicware over the last sixty years, will hold approximately twelve cups of cake batter. Obviously, minis do not come close to that mark. Some of them are even smaller!

PANS

The most common size for smaller Bundt pans is six cups. That may not seem like much, but it is generally more than sufficient to serve a small family's dessert needs. The smaller pans are more convenient for those who do not want a great deal of leftover cake taking up space in their refrigerators. If you do not need leftovers to be happy, you will love the smaller pan.

In addition to reducing waste in the form of extra food, mini Bundt fans also allow one to create pretty, tasty food quicker than they can with traditional cake pans. The time difference is not that pronounced, but in a high-speed society in which everyone is clawing for every available second, that can make a difference. If you are in a hurry to make cakes at home and do not need a large treat, pull out one of your smaller pans and get to work.

Do not worry too much about comparison shopping when you choose your small-scale pan. The big names all seem to have their own mini Bundt pans and any of those should be more than acceptable. If you would prefer to trim even more off of your price, feel free to look for no-name pans. You might find a great mini for next to nothing using that approach. There simply is not that much difference between Bundt pans, so it makes sense to make your decision on the basis of price.

If you do buy a small pan, remember that you are working under a different set of rules when you bake with it. You may need to adjust your oven temperature and you will certainly need to reduce cooking time. The exact directions for use will most likely come with the pan itself. If it does not have the information you need, you can simply follow the mini Bundt recipes you have discovered.

There are some strong reasons to own mini Bundt pans. They the perfect size for some households, they do their job well, they're inexpensive, and they allow you to churn out cakes that look like a million bucks using little more than personal taste and an in-store gift card.

Why You Should Have A Big Appetite For Mini Bundt Pans

To find great deals on mini Bundt pans or full size Bundt pans, be sure to visit our website at BundtPans.org.

PANS