Thursday, July 22, 2010

Bake With Silicone Pans

Silicone bakeware is non-stick, colorful, practical and easy to clean. It handles high oven temperatures well, yet cools down quickly once removed from the heat. Baking with silicone pans is very easy--easier than using other types of pans, in fact. You may need to practice with oven temperatures and cooking times, however, as these may change, compared to what you're used to with your old glass or aluminum bakeware. You'll also need to change if or how much cooking spray or cooking grease you use to coat the pans--silicone rarely needs to be sprayed or greased.


Instructions


1. Preheat your oven, just as you would when using any other cookware. Place batter or other mixture in the clean silicone pan. Do not coat the pan with anything first--there is usually no need.


2. Place the pan on a cookie sheet or other ovenproof stable surface, to assure the batter does not redistribute and bake unevenly.


3. Place the pan (which is on the cookie sheet) on the medium or top rack of the oven. This allows more even cooking (especially, if you are using a gas oven with the heat at the bottom).


4. Check food frequently to make sure it is not over-baking. This is especially important the first time you cook with silicone pans--cooking time may be a bit different from what you are used to.


5. When baking is complete, remove the pan and place it, cookie sheet and all, on a trivet. Use plastic serving utensils to cut and serve the food--do not use metal or you risk gouging the silicone. Another option is to wait until the pan cools for five to ten minutes, then turn the pan upside down over a plate. The baked goods will fall out easily.

Tags: cookie sheet, oven temperatures, using other, what used, with silicone