If you’re like us at Everten, the Christmas season is all about baking. From pies to cupcakes, muffins to cookies, there’s a seemingly endless supply of Christmas baking recipes to get you in the holiday spirit. But using the wrong bakeware can lead to inconsistent results. Getting it right requires the right tools.
So here’s a breakdown of all the Christmas baking supplies you’ll need to be a baking hero and how to choose what’s best for you.
Fluted Aluminum Pans
If the phrase “fluted aluminum” sounds strange, you’ve been missing out. Brands brands like USA Pan have been changing the game of bakeware with innovations like this. Essentially what fluting means is putting tiny holes in the pan.
They help aid air circulation leading to even baking as well as making release afterwards much easier. To add to this, USA Pans also have a tough PTFE and PFOA free non-stick coating and a corrugated metal to help prevent warping (any baker’s worst nightmare!)
If you’re a fan of crispy, perfectly cooked edges that release easily and look amazing on a plate, these are absolutely worth considering.
Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick
One of the trickier aspects of aluminum bakeware is that it heats up and cools off very quickly. That’s why some turn to other non-stick coated metals. Many home chefs also find that this material gives them more consistent results, but that will vary by person and item. Toughened non-stick offers a wide variety of bakeware, but is particularly great for muffin trays and baking trays for things like cookies.
Glass Bakeware
For bread and pies, you can hardly beat Pyrex. Their patented treated glass can survive the oven, the fridge, and transportation if you get a lid. They’re some of the most versatile items in our kitchens (in fact I use Pyrex for pies myself, I’m taking a Key Lime Pie to a potluck this evening in the same bakeware I made it in, a great timesaver). You’re not going to get super crisp edges with it, but Pyrex is still easy to clean and great for storage.
Lodge Cast Iron (Double Duty)
If cast iron doesn’t come to mind when you think about bakeware you’re missing out. If you love pies, bread, cookies, really anything baked with a nice crispy crust then cast iron is your best friend. The best part is that a cast iron skillet like this is also great for frying and roasting.
So you can be frying chicken cutlets one day and baking a pie the next. Like the Pyrex mentioned above, this makes a cast iron skillet extremely versatile when it comes to baking and cooking. If you need some inspiration, here’s a delicious pie recipe made just for cast iron.
Le Creuset Stoneware
Much like Pyrex, stoneware is inexpensive and versatile. You can cook with it, keep it in the fridge or freezer, and not worry about the bakeware absorbing flavours through its glaze. The larger pans here are better for flat items like cookies, but can also be used for savoury dishes like casseroles or lasagna. While not as good as cast iron, you can still get nice crisp edges with stoneware. It is also great for serving almost every dish you can think of.
Just to Recap
In case you’ve already forgotten here’s a quick breakdown:
- Fluted aluminum is easy to clean up, easy to release baked items, and resists warping.
- Non-Stick is easy to clean as well, and does alright for crispiness. It works well for muffins and cupcakes as well as for flat things like cookies.
- Pyrex bakeware is excellent for bread and pies, is easy to clean and can be used to store things in the fridge as well.
- Cast Iron works well for other cooking applications and is perfect for crispy edges. It’s a bit trickier to clean though.
- Stoneware gives you a lot of versatility for not a lot of money, much like Pyrex. The difference is that it’ll get you better crispy edges.
What bakeware do you use for your Christmas treats? What are some of your favourite Christmas recipes? Let us know about them in the comments.
