Here's everything you should know, including the best parchment paper substitute for baking and cooking.
Parchment paper comes up often in recipes, including for baking and for parchment-wrapped packets.
But many people, especially beginning bakers, wonder: What exactly is parchment paper, and how is it different than wax paper? What is its purpose?
Parchment paper is an important part of baking and a versatile kitchen workhorse that serves many functions beyond just lining a baking sheet, which it's great for thanks to its nonstick properties. Not only is it great for baking up a batch of cookies, it's also a useful tool for prep work like grating cheese or sifting flour and can be used for steaming delicate fish.
There are many positives to using parchment, but one negative is that it can end up being costly and wasteful, since it's a single-use item. Whether you're on a budget, looking for a more sustainable option or just don't have any parchment paper on hand, there are plenty of other methods you can use, depending on what you're using them for.
What is Parchment Paper Used For?
So many things! The pliable quality of parchment paper is great for baking projects where you need to line a loaf pan or baking dish so that whatever you're baking won't stick to the pan. It's easy to cut the paper down to the size you need so it will easily line the pan without any creases. Better yet, if you're baking brownies or making fudge, a little bit of parchment paper hanging over the sides of the pan makes it super easy to lift them out for cutting.
Parchment paper is also great for decorating baked goods. Many professional bakers and cake decorators use a piece of parchment paper to form a DIY piping bag called a cornet that they use to decorate desserts and write out messages. Shaping parchment into a cone also works as a makeshift funnel that helps eliminate mess when transferring items like spices or sprinkles. If you're icing a cake, slipping pieces of parchment paper under the cake before you begin is a great trick that prevents frosting from dirtying your cake stand.
Post time: Jun-15-2024
