Whatever the occasion, cookies make for the perfect snack. Not only are they highly versatile and can come in an assortment of flavors, colors, and shapes, but they are also relatively inexpensive and easy to make.
Typically, sugar, butter, eggs, flour, and other ingredients are mixed to create a dough, otherwise known as cookie dough. This is then rolled into small balls and placed on parchment paper to be baked in the oven.
Parchment paper is a great option to bake cookies as not only does it provide minimal mess and clean-up, but it also ensures that your cookies won’t get stuck to the pan. In this guide, you find everything you need to know about using parchment paper to bake cookies.
Can Cookies Be Baked On Parchment Paper?
Generally, cookies are baked within ovens; however, some people prefer to make them in the microwave. The main difference between these two methods is the non-stick paper that is used.
In a microwave, you would use cookie sheets, while in an oven you would have to use parchment paper.
As its name suggests, parchment paper is a thin sheet of material that resembles paper, which is used to line a baking tray to prevent your foods from sticking.
Due to its nature, parchment paper is extremely versatile and can be cut into a range of different shapes to accommodate any pan.
Once the cookies have finished baking, you can easily remove them from the parchment paper and you won’t be left with any sticky residue from the cookies.
Why You Should Use Parchment Paper To Bake Cookies?
To prevent cookies from sticking, parchment paper consists of a non-stick quality that allows you to remove your cookies without any hassle easily.
Additionally, as mentioned briefly, parchment paper also makes the cleanup process much simpler. You don’t have to worry about scrubbing your trays or any leftover grease, as with parchment paper, once finished with it you can simply throw it in the trash.
Likewise, parchment paper is much safer to use as you don’t have to worry about burning yourself when removing your cookies from the tray.
Use Parchment Paper For Cookie Preparation
You may only believe that there is one way of using parchment paper: to bake your cookies. However, you can also use it for cookie preparation, as well.
By this, we mean the annoying process of having to roll out your cookie dough, which can sometimes leave you in a sticky mess.
To avoid this, simply place a sheet of parchment paper between your cookie dough and your rolling pin. This way, you can evenly roll your cookie dough without having to worry about bits of sticky dough getting everywhere as a result of the handy non-stick paper!
Likewise, parchment paper is great for distributing and freezing layers of rolled cookie dough in the freezer for future use.
As parchment paper is thin, you can easily stack your sheets on top of each other in the freezer, ensuring that they don’t take up too much space. Then, you can easily thaw your cookie dough, bake, then decorate and enjoy.
Parchment Paper Creates Better Cookies
Unlike wax paper or aluminum foil, parchment paper is coated with silicone which provides its not-stick quality. This allows you to bake a fresh batch of cookies without having to peel slivers of aluminum foil from the bottoms of your cookies.
While the wax paper is a great reusable replacement for parchment paper, it shouldn’t be used for baking your cookies. Instead, save it for storing your sandwiches as there is no chance of your wax-coated paper melting here.
Parchment Paper Vs. Wax Paper – Which One Should I Use?
While you may believe that wax paper is the next best option when you don’t have any parchment paper laying around to bake your cookies – you’re not alone with this thought, either! It should be made clear that parchment paper and wax paper are not the same things.
In essence, wax coating paper isn’t designed to be placed in the oven; while parchment paper is. Typically, wax paper and baking don’t go together. The only exception is for using wax paper to line a pan with some mixture over it.
On the other hand, wax paper is a great alternative and eco-friendly option to use instead of plastic food bags – perfect for storing all your cold foods.
Can Parchment Paper Be Placed In The Oven?
Yes, parchment paper can be used in the oven. The process of manufacturing parchment paper provides it with the capability to withstand heat and make’s it heat resistant when baking and placed in the oven. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using parchment paper safely, these include:
- Parchment paper is designed to withstand high temperatures; however, up to a certain point. Any temperature over 450 degrees Fahrenheit and you might begin to notice your paper scorching around the edges.
- Make sure that your parchment paper isn’t draping over the edges of the baking tray; if the paper touches the wire rack it will begin to scorch and potentially catch fire.
- Make sure the parchment paper isn’t near or touching the element of the oven. If so, your parchment paper will catch fire. This is especially important as you could create fire risks. Therefore, remember to be extra careful when placing your cookies in and out of the oven.
Final Thoughts
Not only are cookies incredibly versatile, coming in a range of flavors, colors, and decorations, but they can also be accommodated to suit several different events. One way to ensure perfect cookies every single time is to use parchment paper.
Not only is parchment paper heat resistant, but it will also help you save time baking. Hopefully, this guide has provided you with everything you need to know about using parchment paper for baking cookies.
