What is Brownie Pan
Brownie pans are baking pans specially used for making brownies, usually square and shallow. People typically make baking brownie pans out of glass, metal, silicone, or paper. Of course, brownie pans can bake not only brownies, but also biscuits and cookies, cakes, muffins, French fries, and chicken nuggets.
Brownie pans of different materials and shapes are suitable for different baking needs. Glass baking pans create a crispy crust on brownies, while metal pans are better for baking that needs quicker heat transfer.
Brownie pans come in various sizes, and the most common rectangular brownie pan is 9×13″.
A 9 x 13 disposable brownie pan can bake about 12–24 brownies, enough for 6–8 people.
Best Pan for Baking Brownies
The type of baking pan you use can make a big difference in baking the best brownies. Here are the best baking pans for baking brownies:
Metal baking pans:
Metals like aluminum or stainless steel are classic choices for baking brownies. Metal baking pans conduct heat evenly and produce brownies with a soft texture and great taste. Look for 8×8-inch or 9×13-inch baking pans, which are common brownie pan sizes.
Nonstick baking pans:
Nonstick baking pans make it easy to remove brownies from the pan intact. Lightly oil the surface of the baking pan for best results, even with a nonstick surface.
Silicone baking pans:
Silicone baking pans are flexible and available in many shapes and sizes, like square, round, and individual brownie cups. Silicone pans bake more evenly than metal pans.
Cast iron skillet:
Baking brownies in a cast iron skillet produces a fudgy texture. Cast iron retains heat well, giving the brownies a crispy edge around the edges. This is a good choice if you want the classic skillet brownie look and taste.
Disposable brownie pans:
Disposable brownie pans are usually made of aluminum foil, which is heat-resistant, wash-free, and widely applicable. Moreover, you can customize disposable pans to fit whatever size brownie pan you need.
Best Size Pan for Brownies
8×8 inch square baking pan is one of the sizes that many people like to use for baking brownies. Using 8×8 brownie pan can make brownies thicker and softer and moister in the middle, which is the taste that many people like. The 8-inch square baking pan bakes in 20-25 minutes, compared to the 9×13 pan.
And the square brownie pan 8×8 is moderate in size. A small family can use an 8-inch square baking pan and easily cut it into 2-inch pieces.
Square Brownie Pan Baking Tips
The standard size of a square brownie pan is 8×8 inches or 9×9 inches. The square shape helps spread the ingredients evenly in the pan, ensuring the brownies bake evenly and taste better.
Compared to other baking pans, square brownie pan is affordable and a cost-effective kitchen baking utensil. So, how do bake brownies in a square baking pan?
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Brownie Baking Tips
Ingredients:
- 170g unsalted butter
- 200g semi-sweet chocolate chunks (chopped)
- 150g caster sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 95g flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 200g cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 cup peppermint chocolate chips
Steps:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius
Grease or line 8×8 Square Brownie Pan with baking paper.
Melt chocolate
Melt butter and chocolate in a microwave or double boiler on low heat, stirring until smooth. Allow it to cool a bit.
Make brownie
In a large bowl, whisk together caster sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
Gradually add the melted chocolate mixture and stir until combined.
Stir flour and cocoa powder into mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and flatten slightly.
Make cheese layer
In another bowl, stir softened cream cheese and peppermint extract until well combined.
Sprinkle with peppermint chocolate chips and fold gently.
Pour cheese mixture over brownie mixture and use a knife to create a marble effect.
Baking
Place baking pan in preheated oven and bake for approx. 25-30 min., or until cake is firm around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the middle.
Take the cake out of the pan and let it cool to room temperature. Then, put it in the refrigerator until it sets completely (overnight is ideal).
Can You Make Brownies Without A Baking Pan
While a traditional baking pan is the most common way to make brownies, you can make them quickly without a baking pan.
Using a cast iron skillet: Preheat the oven and place a cast iron skillet. Once heated, remove the skillet and lightly grease it. Pour the brownie batter into the hot skillet and bake. Cast iron heats evenly, crisps up the edges, and makes for delicious brownies.
Using a muffin pan: Line a muffin pan with paper liners or grease it. Spoon the brownie batter into each cup, about 2/3 full. Bake the edges until they set, but keep the center soft. This makes for brownie “bites” or individual servings, and is also great for adding toppings like chocolate chips or nuts.
Use a large glass or ceramic dish. Grease before adding the brownie batter. These dishes generally require longer baking times because of their heat-retaining properties.
Use the stovetop: If you don’t have an oven, you can use the stovetop method. Put a heatproof dish or pan over a pot of hot water. This makes a double boiler.
Cook the batter on low heat. Stir it all the time. This method is more time-consuming but can work in a pinch.