For best baking results, follow these suggestions:
Oven Shelves
Arrange the oven
shelf or shelves
in the desired
locations while
the oven is cool.
The correct shelf
position depends
on the kind of
food and the
browning desired.
Type of Food
Shelf Position
Angel food cake
A
I
Biscuits or muffins
B or C
o:
Cookies or cupcakes
or C
Brownies
B or C
Layer cakes
B or C
As a general rule, place most foods in the middle of
Bundt or pound cakes
A or B
the oven, on either the second or third shelf from the
bottom. See the chart for suggested shelf positions.
Pies or pie shells
B or C
Frozen pies
A (on cookie sheet)
Casseroles
B or C
Roasting
A or B
Preheating
Preheat the oven if the recipe calls for it. Preheat
Preheating is necessary for good results when baking
means bringing the oven up to the specified
cakes, cookies, pastry and breads. For most casseroles
temperature before putting in the food. To preheat, set
and roasts, preheating is not necessary. For ovens
the oven at the correct temperature—selecting a
without a preheat indicator light or tone, preheat 10
higher temperature does not shorten preheat time.
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
For even cooking and proper browning, there must be
pan determines the amount of browning that will occur.
enough room for air circulation in the oven. Baking
Dark, rough or dull pans absorb heat, resulting
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.
Tin and stainless steel may not heat evenly.
in
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 to 1 inch space between pans as well
as from the back of the oven, the door and the sides. If
you use two shelves stagger the pans so one is not
Glass baking dishes also absorb heat. When baking
directly above the other.
in glass
dishes, lower the temperature by
-
and use the recommended cooking time in
(continued next page)
the recipe. This is not necessary when baking pies
or casseroles.
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