Emilie Meyer
Jelly roll pans are a type of flat sheet pan with a 1-inch rim around the sides. They are used to make thin sponge or sheet cakes that can be coated with creme, jelly, or other fillings and rolled into a cylinder shape. Jelly roll pans are usually made from aluminum or aluminized steel and come in two common sizes: 1/4 size (9 by 13 and 1 deep) and 1/2 size (12” by 17” and 1” deep). While it is best to use a jelly roll pan for recipes that specifically call for it, some alternatives can be used, such as a standard rimmed baking sheet or a half sheet pan. However, using a different pan may result in a cake that is too thin, dry, or prone to cracking. In this article, we will explore the best practices for baking in a jelly roll pan, including oven temperatures, preparation techniques, and recipe ideas beyond the classic jelly roll cake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Pan | Flat sheet pan with a 1-inch rim |
| Size | 1/4 size: 9"x13", 1" deep; 1/2 size: 12"x17", 1" deep |
| Material | Aluminum, aluminized steel, stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum steel, cast aluminum, hard anodized aluminum, exoglass, or tin-plated steel |
| Temperature | Do not exceed 450°F (230°C) |
| Cleaning | Hand wash with mild dish soap and warm water, do not place in dishwasher |
| Coating | Non-stick silicone coating with FDA approval |
| Uses | Baking rolled cakes, pumpkin rolls, jelly rolls, Swiss rolls, cream rolls, roulades, cookies, biscuits, roasted vegetables, and more |
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What You'll Learn
Jelly roll pan sizes
Jelly roll pans are a type of flat sheet pan with a 1-inch rim around the sides. They are designed to bake thin sponge or sheet cakes that can be filled with cream, jelly, or other fillings and then rolled into a cylinder shape.
There are two common sizes of jelly roll pans: the quarter size and the half size. The quarter size jelly roll pan measures approximately 9 inches by 13 inches and is 1 inch deep. The half-size jelly roll pan is slightly larger, measuring around 12 inches by 17 inches, and is also 1 inch deep. These pans are typically made from aluminum or aluminized steel.
It is important to use the correct size of the jelly roll pan for your recipe. A wider half sheet pan will spread the batter too thin, resulting in a cake that may crack or burn. On the other hand, a cookie sheet without a rolled edge may not be able to contain the batter. Therefore, it is best to use a jelly roll pan if your recipe calls for it.
If you are substituting a different pan for a jelly roll pan, be aware that your cake may turn out undersized or overcooked. For example, a 9"x13" sheet pan may be too shallow for a roll cake, and you would need to make the cake thinner to ensure it can be rolled.
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Jelly roll pan alternatives
A jelly roll pan is a specific piece of equipment for a specific recipe. It is used to bake a thin layer of sponge cake that can be filled with jam, jelly, or cream and then rolled into a spiral. The pan is rectangular and has raised one-inch sides. Its standard size is 10 ½ x 15 ½ inches, but it can be as big as 12 x 18 inches or as small as 10 x 5 ½ inches.
If you don't have a jelly roll pan, there are some alternatives you can use:
- A quarter-sheet pan is almost identical in size to a quarter-size jelly roll pan. You can halve the amount of ingredients needed for a standard jelly roll recipe to make sure you have just enough batter to fill the pan.
- A half-sheet pan can also be used, but you will need to adjust the recipe to account for the larger size of the pan. You will need to increase the amount of batter to ensure the cake is still the correct thickness. However, this can be tricky as a larger cake will be more difficult to roll without tearing, and the thinner cake will cook quicker and may burn.
- A metal roasting pan that is slightly bigger than a jelly roll pan can be used, but you may need to reduce the amount of batter to ensure the height isn't too tall.
- A 9x13-inch pan can be used, but the cake may turn out slightly cakier. You may need to adjust the baking time.
- A cookie sheet can be used, but it may be too shallow, so you can line it with foil to bring the edges up slightly.
It is important to note that choosing the wrong pan can affect the texture and quality of your cake, and a pan that is too big may cause batter and crumbs to spill inside the oven. Therefore, it is best to use a jelly roll pan if you have one.
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How to prepare a jelly roll pan
To prepare a jelly roll pan for baking, it's important to first understand the unique characteristics of this type of pan. Jelly roll pans are typically made of aluminum or aluminized steel and feature a 1-inch rim around their sides, with standard sizes being 1/4 or 1/2. The 1/4 size jelly roll pan measures 9" by 13" and 1" deep, while the 1/2 size is around 12” by 17” and 1” deep. These dimensions are crucial for achieving the right cake consistency—too large a pan and your batter will spread too thin, resulting in a dry and brittle cake.
When preparing your jelly roll pan, it's important to follow the recipe instructions for greasing and flouring the pan. You can use a nonstick baking spray, or hand grease the pan with butter or shortening, and then lightly dust it with flour. Some recipes may also call for lining the pan with parchment paper, which can help in the cake removal process.
It's worth noting that jelly roll pans are designed to be filled almost to the brim with batter, resulting in a cake that is approximately 1" tall. This thickness is necessary to provide the structural integrity needed for rolling the cake without cracking.
If you're using a nonstick jelly roll pan, be sure to follow the manufacturer's care instructions. These pans often have temperature restrictions and require hand washing with mild dish soap and warm water. Using metal utensils or placing them in the dishwasher may damage the nonstick coating.
Finally, when preparing your jelly roll pan, keep in mind that the batter in a jelly roll pan will bake faster than in a larger sheet pan, so you'll need to monitor the cake closely to prevent overcooking, which can lead to cracking when you roll it.
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How to roll a jelly roll cake
A jelly roll pan is a type of flat sheet pan with a 1-inch rim around its sides. It is used to make thin sponge or sheet cakes that can be filled with creme, jelly, or other fillings and rolled into a cylinder shape. The ideal pan size for a jelly roll cake is 10x15 inches, but a 9x13 sheet pan can also be used. If using a 9x13 pan, ensure that the batter is filled to a maximum of 1 inch to prevent the cake from becoming too thick and difficult to roll. The cake should be thin enough to roll without cracking but also sturdy enough to hold the filling.
To make a jelly roll cake, start by preparing the batter according to your chosen recipe. Grease the jelly roll pan and pour the batter into the pan, spreading it evenly and filling it almost to the brim. Bake the cake according to your recipe's instructions. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool slightly before running a knife around the edges to loosen it. Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cake has cooled, spread your chosen filling evenly over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges. You can use jelly, creme, or any other filling of your choice. Start rolling the cake from a short end, using a spatula to lift and guide the cake gently onto itself. Continue rolling until you have a cylinder-shaped cake. You can dust the cake with powdered sugar or decorate it with additional fillings or toppings of your choice.
It is important to use the correct pan size and type when making a jelly roll cake. Using a wider half sheet pan or a cookie sheet may result in a cake that is too thin and prone to cracking or burning. The jelly roll pan's unique dimensions provide the necessary structural integrity for the cake to stay together after filling and rolling.
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![Jelly Roll Pan with Cooling Rack Set [2 Baking Pans + 2 Baking Racks], CEKEE Stainless Steel Baking Sheet Tray with Wire Rack Set, Commercial Quality, Rust Proof & Nonstick, Size 15.94 x 12 x 1 Inch](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71+RVRZtvxL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Other uses for a jelly roll pan
Jelly roll pans are incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of tasks in the kitchen, beyond just baking the cake it's named for. Here are some alternative uses for a jelly roll pan:
Roasting Vegetables
Jelly roll pans are perfect for roasting a small batch of vegetables. The raised edges of the pan allow you to contain marinades and oils when preparing the vegetables for roasting.
Baking Cookies
While cookie sheets are typically designed with one rim for easy handling, jelly roll pans can also be used to bake cookies, especially if you want to make a smaller batch. Simply line the pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Toasting Nuts
A jelly roll pan is great for toasting nuts. Its flat surface and raised edges help contain the nuts, preventing them from rolling off the pan or falling into the oven.
Cooking Asparagus
The dimensions of a jelly roll pan make it ideal for cooking asparagus. The flat, rectangular shape allows for even cooking, and the raised edges prevent the asparagus from slipping off the pan.
Baking Dessert Bars
The high rims of a jelly roll pan make it a great tool for making various dessert bars, such as streusel jam bars, lemon bars, or hermit cookies. The rims help contain the batter and give the bars a neat, rectangular shape.
Baking Brownies
The higher-rimmed edges of a jelly roll pan make it an excellent choice for baking brownies. The rims prevent the batter from spreading too thinly and help to contain the thick brownie batter.
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Frequently asked questions
A jelly roll pan is a type of flat sheet pan with a 1-inch rim around its sides. It is designed to make thin sponge or sheet cakes that can be coated with creme, jelly, or other fillings and rolled into a cylinder shape. Jelly roll pans are usually made from aluminum or aluminized steel.
You can use a jelly roll pan to bake slab pies, sheet-pan dinners, cookies, brownies, blondies, scones, roasted vegetables, and more.
The two most common sizes of jelly roll pans are 1/4 size and 1/2 size. 1/4 size jelly roll pans measure approximately 9" by 13" and 1" deep, while 1/2 size jelly roll pans tend to be around 12” by 17” and 1” deep.
