Without a doubt, parchment paper is the best gluten-free baking assistant. It can make everything easier, from prep to baking to cleanup. It's ideal for lining trays when baking pizzas, cakes or any bar cookie, but it's a "must have" for baking gluten-free cookies, so they hold their shape.
Why do we always keep extra parchment paper on hand?
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Even baking
Not all baking sheets are equal. Some pans are better at spreading heat evenly over the entire surface based on the metal used and construction. Others tend to have hot and cool areas that result in baking issues. Using parchment paper creates a thin, airy layer between the baking sheet and the paper that helps regulate the temperature and neutralize hot spots. -
Reduces unwanted spreading
There’s nothing worse than flat greasy-looking cookies. Parchment paper gives gluten-free cookie dough something to hold on to, keeping them from spreading too much and making fuller cookies. When cookies are thicker, they tend to be softer in the middle too! -
Eliminates sticking
Cookies baked on parchment paper slide right off the baking sheets. Cake pans lined with parchment allow the cakes to flip easily out of pans without clinging to the bottom. If baking pizza on a hot stone, it’s the best way to transfer gluten-free pizza dough onto the hot stone. And pizza pans lined with parchment paper allow for easy clean-up. -
Clean cutting
Ever wonder why lemon bars and bar cookies in photos look so perfect, yet yours are squashed or messy around the edges? If you line pans with parchment paper before baking, you can easily lift the entire sheet of treats out of the pan by the edges of the paper. This makes for neat straight cuts, without the sides of the pan getting in the way. Also, wiping the knife with a wet paper towel also keeps the edges clean! -
Easy Cleanup
Lining pans with parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze! Just throw the dirty parchment paper away and rinse off the pan with warm water. -
Breathes
While foil and plastic wrap seal keep out air, parchment paper allows foods to breathe a little when wrapped. This means exterior crusts stay crisp, instead of getting soggy.
Where do you find parchment paper? At my grocery store it’s in both the baking aisle and the aisle with foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper.
I trust you'll consider giving parchment paper a try. Once you see the benefits for yourself, you’ll never want to be without it!