Wondering how to ensure your next baked treat won’t stick to the pan? Here are all the tips and tricks you need for greasing a baking pan perfectly, each and every time.
This might seem like a totally basic post that you don’t need (and if you’re an experienced baker, you might not!), but it’s one of those things that can make or break a recipe.
I hope these tips and tricks help you nail greasing and preparing your baking pans, each and every time!
How to grease a baking pan
It’s so easy! But so important when it comes to baking because if it’s done wrong, you can end in disaster.
Take your baking pan and grease it with your oil of choice. You can use either a non-stick spray or olive oil spray, or butter/coconut oil. I prefer a spray because it’s easier to get into the nooks and crannies without making a huge mess scooping out a chunk of coconut oil or butter and trying to spread it around.
Make sure you apply a light layer of your oil of choice, don’t get heavy handed or else your baked goods will be greasy and heavy. Spread your spray or oil around and voila, you’re done!
My rule of thumb would be to very lightly grease the pan, no matter what kind it is. If you’re making anything with caramel or is very sticky, you will definitely need to grease your pan.
The only instance where you wouldn’t grease a pan would be if you’re making angel food cake. The cake is so light and delicate that you don’t want it to be able to slip back down the sides of the pan.
Do you have to grease silicone pans?
You don’t, unless you’re really nervous about a recipe sticking! I would recommend doing a really light layer on silicone pans to make sure everything comes out clean, but doesn’t absorb into the silicone too much. The main issue with greasing silicone pans is the oil being absorbed into the pan and making it greasy over time.Â
What can be used to grease a baking pan?
There’s a multitude of choices when it comes to greasing a baking pan. You can use anything from a canola oil or olive oil spray to coconut oil or butter. Olive oil can be used in a pinch, but is a little harder to get to stick to the sides of the pan if you go too heavy handed.
My personal choice is an olive oil spray, so it still sticks all around the pan and is easy to use.
Do you have to grease a nonstick baking pan?
Yes and no. I would recommend doing a test bake with a nonstick baking pan and seeing how much a recipe sticks. All nonstick pans are different, so some need a little bit of grease just to ensure nothing sticks. Others are truly nonstick!
Can you grease a pan with olive oil?
Yes! I would recommend applying the olive oil by putting it in a small bowl and brushing on with a pastry brush.
Don’t get too heavy handed or the oil will slide back down the sides of the pan and pool in the bottom. I would recommend starting off with a very small amount and adding more if necessary.
Abigail Wenderson says
As a baking apprentice and someone who has only adopted a vegan and gluten free lifestyle lately I am loving your blogs 🙂 Thank you for keeping it real and simple. Cake sticking to the pan and me slogging to get it off hasn’t been a new occurrence. The next time I am on a roll, I will following this piece. Thank you Abby for the great work you do.
Jason says
your site is awesome! I have learned so much!!! Thanks u so much
Dustin says
I think this is one of the best blog for me because this is really helpful for me. Thanks for sharing this valuable information for free.
Richard Tunner says
Love your site. You rock and thank you for sharing! Looking forward to seeing more recipes!
Beekite says
Wow this look so delicious. I can’t wait to try this recipe I will save this post. Thanks a lot!
Ralph @ Bakell Edible Glitter says
Thanks for the tips! Love the content on your site 😀