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By Debbie Dragon
Anybody who takes the time to make cookies from scratch
obviously wants the cookies to come out perfectly and taste
delicious. Mixing ingredients is almost unheard of these days
with just about everything being available in pre-mixed or
pre-made packages. Most people simply buy a roll of cookie
dough, slice it, and stick it in the oven for 15-18 minutes.
However, for the individuals out there who still take the time
to make their own cookie dough, it’s important to know the
differences between all the types of cookie sheets available
in
stores today. There are a multitude of them, and believe it or
not, they all yield different results.
Insulated Non-stick Cookie Sheet
Most insulated cookie sheets are made to be non-stick, and
because insulated sheets are sometimes on the more expensive
side, they tend to resist scratches, chipping, and peeling.
Insulated cookie sheets are basically two sheets that have
been
connected around the edges, which creates a small pocket of
air
that cannot escape. The air inside of the pocket heats to the
set temperature of the oven when the insulated cookie sheet is
placed inside.
Insulated cookie sheets are very reliable for evenly baked
cookies. Because the air inside the sheet heats to the
temperature of the oven, it allows all the cookies on the
sheet
to cook and brown at the same rate. The evenly heated air
prevents the cookie sheet from being hotter in certain spots,
which is a common occurrence with regular cookie sheets. In
addition to yummy cookies, most insulated cookie sheets are
easy to clean because of their non-stick surfaces.
Aluminum Cookie Sheets
Aluminum cookie sheets are very commonly used. Aluminum
conducts heat well which is why cookie sheets made of this
material usually produce an evenly baked cookie. The only down
side to aluminum is that it sometimes prevents cookies from
reaching the perfect shade of brown.
Cookie sheets made of aluminum are very sturdy and they won’t
rust even if they have to be soaked in water for and extended
period of time. Heavy aluminum baking sheets are better to use
than the thin types that are available for less money. Thin
aluminum sheets can bend and/or warp in a hot oven which can
cause cookies to cook unevenly.
Non-Stick Cookie Sheets
When non-stick cookie sheets were invented, a whole new world
of baking emerged. The ease of cleaning a cookie sheet with a
non-stick surface is amazing, and it practically eliminates
the
need to butter the sheet before cooking. Washing a non-stick
cookie sheet is a breeze and hardly requires anything but a
quick scrub.
Non-stick cookie sheets have a surface coating that makes them
easy to clean, yet they are still able to produce delicious
cookies. Keep in mind that the darker the non-stick surface,
the quicker the cookies will brown. Therefore, it’s important
to read the instructions that come with the cookie sheet to
find out if the manufacturer recommends that the oven’s
cooking
temperature be lowered to compensate. It may be necessary to
lower the temperature of the oven by about 25 degrees.
In conclusion, cookie sheets can be made of a number of
different types of materials, or even a combination of
materials. Every cookie sheet will yield a different end
result
for the same exact cookie recipe. The darker the cookie sheet,
the faster the cookies will brown because a dark cookie sheet
absorbs heat more readily and transfers the heat directly to
the cookies. Aluminum cookie sheets are good conductors of
heat
but are not good for ensuring that the cookies will brown.
Insulated cookie sheets will ensure evenly baked cookies no
matter how they are spaced on the sheet. For best results, try
out a cookie recipe on all three types of sheets and determine
which yields the desired results.
About The Author: This article has been provided courtesy of
Kitchen Junkie, www.kitchenjunkie.com .
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