19
Baking
Preheating
Preheat the oven if the recipe calls for it. Preheat means bringing the oven up
to the specified temperature before putting the food in the oven. To preheat,
set the oven at the correct temperature—selecting a higher temperature does
not shorten preheat time.
Preheating is necessary for good results when baking cakes, cookies, pastry
and breads. For most casseroles and roasts, preheating is not necessary. For
ovens without a preheat indicator light or tone, preheat 10 minutes. After
the oven is preheated, place the food in the oven as quickly as possible to
prevent heat from escaping.
Baking Pans
Pan Placement
Use the proper baking pan. The type of finish on the
pan determines the amount of browning that will occur.
• Dark, rough or dull pans absorb heat resulting
in a browner, crisper crust. Use this type for pies.
• Shiny, bright and smooth pans reflect heat,
resulting in a lighter, more delicate browning.
Cakes and cookies require this type of pan.
• Glass baking dishes also absorb heat. When
baking in glass baking dishes, the temperature may
need to be reduced by 25°F.
For even cooking and proper browning, there must be
enough room for air circulation in the oven. Baking
results will be better if baking pans are centered as
much as possible rather than being placed to the front
or to the back of the oven.
Pans should not touch each other or the walls of the
oven. Allow 1- to 1
1
⁄
2
-inch space between pans as well
as from the back of the oven, the door and the sides.
If you need to use two shelves, stagger the pans so
one is not directly above the other.
Baking Guides
When using prepared baking mixes, follow package recipe or instructions
for the best baking results.
Cookies
When baking cookies, flat cookie sheets (without
sides) produce better-looking cookies. Cookies baked
in a jelly roll pan (short sides all around) may have
darker edges and pale or light browning may occur.
Do not use a cookie sheet so large that it touches the
walls or the door of the oven. Never entirely cover a
shelf with a large cookie sheet.
For best results, use only one cookie sheet in the oven
at a time.
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