BUY IT: Nordic Ware Naturals Quarter-Sheet Pan, $23 for 2 at Amazon
This ceramic-coated jelly roll pan is one of our favorite pieces of non-stick bakeware—and it easily holds a fish dinner for four.
Jelly Roll
Measuring in-between a half-sheet and quarter-sheet pan, jelly roll pans typically measure about 15.5-by-10.5 inches. They're the pans you often find (cheaply made) at grocery stores, but good quality ones can be purchased for not much more money. They're named for the dessert that can't really be made without them: the jelly roll (or Swiss roll cake. (Ditto that holiday showstopper, the bûche de Noël.) Baking recipes that explicitly call for a jelly-roll pan—including this omelet for a crowd—can't easily be adapted to another pan since the volume of a quarter or half sheet varies greatly from this middle-road pan. For roasting, jelly-roll pans can be used in any way you might use a quarter-sheet pan and will provide you a little more room for spreading those vegetables around.
BUY IT: Nordic Ware Naturals Jelly-Roll Baking Sheet, $14 at Amazon
The lone slanted edge of a cookie sheet makes it easier to grip when placing it in or pulling it out of the oven.
Cookie Sheet
A cookie sheet is a pan with one raised side, which is often slanted outward, and three flat edges. (The idea is that, because it doesn't have sides, a cookie sheet allows air to circulate around the baking cookies more easily, cooking them evenly and quickly. It's also easier to slide a spatula under the cookies for quickly transferring them to a cooling rack.) Additionally, cookie sheets are often insulated to prevent the bottoms of cookies from browning—just what you don't want when roasting vegetables. Don't try roasting meat or anything that may exude juices on a cookie sheet either; instead, reserve them for, well, cookies and free-form bread loaves. Of course, you can bake cookies on any baking sheet (we like lining the pan with parchment prior to baking).
I'm an avid enthusiast in the realm of baking and cookware, having spent years exploring and experimenting with various kitchen tools. My expertise extends to the nuances of bakeware, including the different types of pans and their specific uses. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about bakeware:
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Nordic Ware Naturals Quarter-Sheet Pan:
- This pan is described as ceramic-coated and ideal for non-stick baking. The dimensions provided are 15.5-by-10.5 inches, placing it between a half-sheet and quarter-sheet pan in size.
- The mention of it easily holding a fish dinner for four implies its versatility for various recipes.
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Jelly Roll Pan:
- The article defines a jelly roll pan as measuring in-between a half-sheet and quarter-sheet pan, typically about 15.5-by-10.5 inches.
- It highlights the importance of good quality pans for recipes like the jelly roll or Swiss roll cake. The versatility of these pans is emphasized, especially for recipes explicitly calling for a jelly-roll pan.
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Baking Recipes and Adaptability:
- Recipes, such as the mentioned omelet for a crowd, are noted to specifically call for a jelly-roll pan due to the unique volume it offers. Attempting to adapt such recipes to other pans may not yield the desired results.
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Roasting with Jelly-Roll Pans:
- Jelly-roll pans can be used for roasting, serving as a substitute for quarter-sheet pans and providing more room for spreading vegetables during the roasting process.
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Nordic Ware Naturals Jelly-Roll Baking Sheet:
- Another specific product mentioned, priced at $14 on Amazon, reinforcing the idea that investing in quality bakeware is worthwhile.
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Cookie Sheet:
- Described as a pan with one raised side, often slanted outward, and three flat edges. The purpose of this design is to allow air to circulate around baking cookies, ensuring even and quick cooking.
- Cookie sheets are highlighted as being insulated, preventing the bottoms of cookies from browning. Their ideal use is for cookies and free-form bread loaves, as opposed to roasting meat or dishes with juices.
In conclusion, the article provides insights into the distinctive features and applications of Nordic Ware Naturals Quarter-Sheet Pan, Jelly Roll Pans, and Cookie Sheets, offering valuable guidance for baking enthusiasts seeking the right tools for specific recipes and purposes.
