Baking Pan Size: Doubling Recipes

Doubling a recipe is a straightforward process that works for most dishes. When doubling, you need to adjust ingredient amounts, the size of your ingredient preparation tools, and the size or quantity of your pots, pans, or baking dishes.

For example, if you want to make a brownie recipe that calls for an 8-inch square pan, but your only square pan is a 9-inch, you can increase the recipe by 25% for results as thick as the original recipe intended. If you want brownies that are even a tad thicker than the original recipe, you can increase the recipe by 33%.

To figure out how many times to multiply a recipe to fill a larger pan with the same depth of batter, divide the area of the larger pan by the area of the smaller pan. For instance, a 9-inch square pan is 25% larger than an 8-inch square pan. So, to double the recipe for the larger pan, you would multiply the recipe by 2.

When doubling a recipe, it's important to use the correct pans. Sometimes you can substitute a bigger pan, and sometimes you'll just need additional pans of the same size.

Know the area of your pan

When doubling a recipe, you'll need to use a pan with twice the area of the original recipe's pan. This is because you'll be working with twice the volume of batter or dough.

To calculate the area of a pan, you'll need to measure its width, length, and depth. If you're working with a rectangular or square pan, simply multiply the length by the width to get the area. For example, a 9" x 13" pan has an area of 117 square inches.

For round pans, you'll need to multiply the radius (half the diameter) by itself and then by pi (3.14). So, for a 9" round pan, you'd multiply 4.5 (the radius) by 4.5 (the radius) by 3.14 (pi) to get roughly 64 square inches.

If you're working with pans of different shapes, you'll need to calculate the area of each pan and compare them to determine if the larger pan has roughly twice the area of the smaller pan.

It's important to note that not all pans are created equal. Some pans, like Bundt pans, can vary significantly in volume due to their unique designs. In these cases, it's best to measure the pan's volume by filling it with water and then pouring the water into a measuring cup.

Additionally, remember that most pans should only be filled halfway to three-quarters full to allow room for the batter or dough to rise. So, when doubling a recipe, you may need to use multiple pans of the same size instead of a single larger pan to ensure even cooking or baking.

Compare pan areas to find the right size

When doubling a recipe, you'll need to use the correct pans. Sometimes you can substitute a bigger pan, and sometimes you'll just need additional pans of the same size.

To compare pan areas, you can use the following formulae:

• For a square or rectangular pan, multiply the length by the width.
• For a round pan, multiply pi (3.14) by the radius (half the diameter) squared.

6 x 6-inch square pan = 36 square inches

7 x 7-inch square pan = 49 square inches

8 x 8-inch square pan = 64 square inches

9 x 9-inch square pan = 81 square inches

9 x 13-inch pan = 117 square inches

12 x 16-inch half-sheet pan = 192 square inches

And here are the calculations for some common round pans:

5-inch round pan = 20 square inches

6-inch round pan = 29 square inches

7-inch round pan = 39 square inches

8-inch round pan = 50 square inches

9-inch round pan = 64 square inches

10-inch round pan = 79 square inches

12-inch round pan = 113 square inches

Once you know the area of any pan, you can compare it to the area of another pan to see how much bigger or smaller it is. For example, a 9-inch square pan is more than 25% larger than an 8-inch square pan.

If you want to double a recipe and use a larger pan, you can divide the area of the larger pan by the area of the smaller pan to figure out how much to multiply the recipe by. For example, if you want to double a recipe that calls for an 8-inch square pan and use a 9-inch square pan instead, you would divide the area of the 9-inch pan (81) by the area of the 8-inch pan (64), which equals 1.26. So you would multiply all the ingredients in the recipe by 1.26 (or 1 1/4).

You can also use this method to triple a recipe or halve a recipe. Just remember that it's important to use the correct size pan when doubling a recipe to ensure even cooking and baking.

Adjust cooking time

Adjusting the cooking time is crucial when doubling a recipe to ensure the dish is cooked evenly and thoroughly. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you modify the cooking time accordingly:

Baking Recipes

When doubling a baking recipe, the general rule is not to simply double the original cooking time. Instead, follow these steps:

• First, remove one-third of the original cooking time.
• Then, double the remaining two-thirds of the time.
• Finally, add back the original one-third you subtracted earlier.

For example, if the original baking time is 60 minutes:

• Remove 1/3, leaving you with 40 minutes.
• Double this new amount, giving you 80 minutes.
• Add back the original 1/3 (20 minutes), resulting in a total cooking time of 100 minutes.

This calculation considers the increased volume of the recipe and helps prevent overcooking or burning. However, it's important to monitor the dish closely and make temperature adjustments as needed to ensure even cooking.

Cooking Recipes

When doubling a cooking recipe, the adjustment to cooking time depends on the type of dish and the cooking method. Here are some guidelines:

• For dishes cooked on the stovetop, such as pasta or casseroles, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly. Check the dish at the original recipe time and then every 5 minutes after that until it is cooked to your desired level.
• For baked goods like cakes, it's essential to maintain the same thickness as the original recipe. Use multiple pans of the same size instead of a larger pan to ensure even cooking. The total bake time will be similar to the original recipe, but monitor closely and adjust as needed.
• For dishes with a thicker consistency, like a doubled lasagna recipe in a larger casserole dish, you will likely need to increase the cooking time. You may also need to decrease the oven temperature to prevent the top from over-browning before the centre is cooked. Covering the dish with foil for part of the cooking time can help with this.
• When cooking multiple dishes in the oven simultaneously, be aware that they can cast shadows on each other, affecting even heat distribution. You may need to adjust the temperature and increase the cooking time accordingly.

General Tips:

• Always write down the new measurements and cooking times to avoid confusion and ensure accuracy.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, especially when doubling spices in cooking recipes.
• Remember that every oven and dish is different, so use your best judgment and monitor the dish closely during cooking.

Don't double spices right away

When doubling a recipe, it's best not to double the spices right away. This is because some spices can become too strong if they are doubled. For example, if a recipe calls for one teaspoon of salt, you should add 1.5 teaspoons instead of two when doubling. The same goes for cayenne, pepper, and other strong spices.

When doubling spices in a recipe, it is recommended to multiply the original amount by 1.5 and then adjust from there if needed. This is especially important if you are not always precise about levelling off your measuring spoons. Some flavours are more potent than others and can easily overpower a dish if used in too large a concentration.

Additionally, when doubling a recipe, it is important to remember to use the correct pan size. Sometimes you can substitute a bigger pan, and sometimes you will need additional pans of the same size. For example, when making a layer cake, you will need multiple pans of the same size.

Use a calculator or online tool

Using a calculator or online tool is a great way to ensure accuracy when doubling a recipe and figuring out the pan size. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:

Step 1: Calculate New Measurements

Before you start preparing the ingredients, take the time to calculate the doubled amount of each ingredient in your recipe. You can use a calculator or an online conversion tool for this step. Write down the new measurements in an easy-to-follow list to ensure you don't miss anything. Most recipes will require doubling all ingredients, but when it comes to herbs and spices for cooking recipes, it's best to increase them by only half and then taste test before adding more.

Step 2: Choose the Right Mixing Bowls

When doubling a recipe, you'll need to ensure your mixing bowls can handle the increased volume. Make sure your mixing bowls have enough room to spare for folding, whisking, mixing, or creaming with twice the amount of ingredients. If you're using a stand mixer, check if it has a large enough capacity to handle the doubled batch. If not, you may need to mix your ingredients in batches.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Once you've calculated and recorded the new ingredient ratios, it's time to combine them. Follow the directions from your original recipe while paying close attention to evenly combining all the ingredients. This is especially important when working with batters and doughs to ensure a consistent texture throughout your final product.

Step 4: Choose the Right Pan Size

Selecting the appropriate pan size is crucial when doubling a recipe. For example, if you're using a stove-top recipe that originally called for a saucepan, you might need to switch to a stockpot. For baking recipes, you'll need to choose a larger pan to accommodate the increased volume. If you don't have a bigger pan, it's best to divide the doubled recipe into two separate batches and use smaller pans to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Modify Cook Time

Doubling a recipe doesn't necessarily mean doubling the cook time. However, most cook times will need some adjustments. As a rule of thumb, check for doneness at the time indicated in your original recipe, and then continue checking every 5 minutes until your dish is evenly cooked or baked. Remember that recipes cooked in several small pans (like cake layers) will likely finish faster than a single large dish.

Tips for Success:

• Baking recipes: When doubling baking recipes, it's generally safe to double all the ingredients, including leavening agents like baking powder or soda.
• Cooking recipes: For cooking recipes, double all ingredients except herbs and spices. Increase these by half first, and then adjust to taste.
• Avoid overcrowding: If your mixing bowl or pan is too small, consider making the recipe in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
• Don't forget the fractions: When doubling fractions, use a calculator or conversion chart to ensure accuracy. For example, 3/4 cup doubled is 1 1/2 or 1.5 cups.

Frequently asked questions