Baking Pan Essentials: How Many?

Baking pans come in a wide range of sizes, from round cake pans to loaf pans, and the number of each size you should own depends on your baking needs. If you're an occasional baker, you may be able to get away with just one or two of each type, but if you're a more frequent baker, you'll likely want to have a few of each size on hand. Here's a breakdown of the different sizes and the quantity recommended for each:

- 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch square baking pan (1-2 pans)

- 9x13-inch rectangular baking pan (1 pan)

- 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan (2-3 pans)

- Standard 12-count muffin pan (2 pans)

- 24-count mini muffin pan (1 pan)

- Pie dish (1 pan)

- 9x5-inch loaf pan (1-2 pans)

Having a variety of baking pan sizes allows for more flexibility in your baking, as you can adjust recipes to fit the pans you have or substitute different pans to achieve the desired results. It's also important to note that the type of material your baking pans are made of can impact your bake time, with glass and ceramic pans taking longer to heat up than metal pans. So, when in doubt, it's always best to follow the recipe's recommended pan size and adjust as needed.

The standard 9x13-inch baking pan

The 9x13-inch baking pan is a standard pan size and a must-have for every kitchen. It typically holds about three quarts and is very versatile. You can convert almost any basic cake or cupcake recipe into a 9x13 pan with no major adjustments.

For casseroles and sheet cakes, glass and ceramic pans are more presentable, but metal pans are more versatile. A 9x13-inch pan holds 14-16 cups of batter, which is essentially the same as two 9x2-inch round pans. It is almost double the volume of the 8x8-inch pan, which is usually used for brownies, blondies, and other desserts.

If you want to adapt a recipe to fit a 9x13-inch pan, you can calculate the volume your pan can hold by multiplying the length of the sides. So, a 9x13-inch pan is 117 square inches. You can also determine the actual surface area of the pan in square inches by multiplying the radius (half the diameter) of the pan, squared, by pi (3.14).

When substituting a 9x13-inch pan for a different size, be wary of the baking time because the dimensions of the baked good will change. Always keep an eye on the oven and begin checking for doneness earlier than the recipe states.

Square pans for brownies and bars

Square pans are essential for brownies and bars. The standard square pan sizes are 8x8 inches and 9x9 inches. These pans are also great for making smaller desserts or for making brownies or gooey butter cake extra thick.

The OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro 9x9-inch pan is a great option for brownies and bars. It cooks the edges to a perfect crisp and chewy texture while cooking the rest of the batter evenly.

The Wilton Brownie Bar Pan is another great option, especially if you want to make single-serving brownies. The pan has 12 cavities that create a dozen snack-sized brownies with smooth sides and crisp edges. The non-stick coating makes it easy to remove the brownies from the pan and simple to clean.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, the Chicago Metallic Everyday Non-Stick Square Pan is a quality pan at an affordable price. The carbon steel construction and silicone non-stick coating make it easy to remove brownies from the pan and simple to clean.

For those who prefer glass bakeware, the Anchor Hocking 8-inch Square Glass Baking Dish is a great option. It comes with a lid that fits over the handles, making it easy to store and keep brownies fresh. The glass baking dish is oven-safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and can also be used in the microwave or freezer.

Finally, for a more unique option, the Bulbhead Red Copper Brownie Bonanza Pan comes with a removable divider tray that creates 18 perfectly sliced brownies. It also includes a lifting tray and a serving stand, making it easy to remove the brownies from the pan and serve them.

Round cake pans for layer cakes

Round cake pans are essential for creating layer cakes. The standard size for a traditional layer cake is a 9-inch round cake pan. However, 8-inch and 10-inch pans are also commonly used for this purpose.

When making a layer cake, it is important to have at least two cake pans of the same size to ensure that your cake layers are uniform. This will make it easier to stack and frost your cake neatly.

The number of cake pans you should own depends on how often you bake and the types of cakes you like to make. If you are an occasional baker, owning two 9-inch round cake pans will suffice for most layer cake recipes. However, if you are an avid baker who frequently experiments with different cake sizes and recipes, you may want to consider investing in three cake pan sizes: 6-inch, 8-inch, and 9-inch. This will give you more flexibility in the types of cakes you can create.

Additionally, when choosing a cake pan, consider the material it is made of. Light-colored aluminum, anodized aluminum, or aluminized steel pans are recommended as they conduct heat evenly and prevent cakes from overbaking or sinking. Darker pans tend to conduct more heat, which can result in cakes baking too quickly on the outside while remaining undercooked on the inside.

Some popular options for round cake pans include the Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Round Layer Cake Pan and the Williams Sonoma Traditional Touch Round Cake Pan, both of which have been praised for producing evenly baked and browned cakes.

In conclusion, if you plan on making layer cakes, investing in a set of two or three round cake pans of varying sizes will provide you with the tools you need to create beautiful and delicious cakes.

Muffin tins for cupcakes and muffins

Muffin tins are a must-have for any baker, whether you're whipping up a batch of muffins or cupcakes. The standard muffin tin typically has 12 cups, each with a capacity of 1/3 cup, which is the perfect size for your average cupcake or muffin.

When it comes to choosing a muffin tin, you'll want to consider the material it's made of. Muffin tins are commonly made from stainless steel, carbon steel, or silicone. Stainless steel and carbon steel are durable options that will last for years, and they typically have a non-stick coating, which is essential for easy removal of your baked goods. Silicone muffin tins are also non-stick and have the added benefit of being flexible, making it even easier to pop out your cupcakes or muffins without damaging them.

Another factor to consider is the size of the cups in the muffin tin. The standard size is ideal for regular-sized cupcakes or muffins, but you can also find mini muffin tins with smaller cups, perfect for bite-sized treats. If you want to make larger muffins or cupcakes, you can opt for a jumbo muffin tin, which typically has six larger cups.

While it's not necessary, you may also want to use muffin or cupcake liners. These are typically made of paper or foil and fit inside each cup of the muffin tin. Liners can make it easier to remove your baked goods from the tin and keep them looking neat and pretty. They also eliminate the need to grease your muffin tin, saving you time and effort. However, liners can be tricky to find in the right size, especially for mini or jumbo muffin tins, and they do add a small extra cost to your baking.

So, how many muffin tins should you own? If you're an occasional baker, one standard 12-cup muffin tin should suffice. This will allow you to bake a dozen cupcakes or muffins at a time, which is typically enough for most home bakers. However, if you're a frequent baker or like to bake in large batches, investing in a second muffin tin could be a good idea. This way, you can bake two trays of cupcakes or muffins at once, or you can use one tin for regular-sized treats and the other for mini or jumbo ones.

In conclusion, muffin tins are a essential piece of equipment for any baker, and owning at least one standard 12-cup muffin tin is recommended. With the right muffin tin and some delicious batter, you'll be well on your way to creating perfect cupcakes and muffins every time!

Loaf pans for banana bread and zucchini bread

Banana bread and zucchini bread are typically baked in loaf pans, which are a standard size for every kitchen. There are two standard loaf pan sizes: 9 x 5 inches and 8.5 x 4.5 inches. The size you choose will depend on how high you want your loaf to rise, as the smaller pan will give a higher, more domed rise. However, as a general rule, a loaf pan should be filled to about two-thirds capacity with batter.

Loaf pans are inexpensive and versatile, making them a great addition to your kitchen. They can be used for a variety of dishes, including quick breads, pound cakes, meatloaf, and even freezing no-churn ice cream. When choosing a loaf pan, consider the material it is made of, as this will affect the performance, ease of release, look, feel, and cleanup. Metal pans, usually made of aluminized or anodized steel, are popular choices due to their excellent heat conduction and retention. They often feature a non-stick coating, which makes releasing the loaf from the pan much easier. Cast iron loaf pans are another option, which produces a great crust and has excellent heat conduction, resulting in a golden-brown crust with well-defined edges. However, cast iron requires regular seasoning to maintain an easy-release surface and prevent rusting.

Glass loaf pans allow you to see how the sides and bottoms of your loaf are cooking, but they may require adjustments to the baking time as they don't conduct heat as well as metal pans. Glass pans also tend to stick more, so proper greasing is important. Ceramic loaf pans are similar to glass in terms of performance, but they are more presentable and can go directly from the oven to the table. However, they are not the most non-stick option, and proper greasing is necessary to prevent sticking.

When it comes to the shape of the loaf pan, you can choose between rounded or sharp, right-angle corners. Metal pans typically have sharper corners, while glass, ceramic, and cast iron tend to have more rounded corners. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference.

Frequently asked questions