Pans every baker needs

All bakers need certain pans to create their works of culinary art. Exactly which pans any given baker needs will depend on what their particular favorite foods are to bake.

Almost everything that you may like to bake has its own unique baking pan and whether you are a novice or an expert you will no doubt have your favorites. It is also important to note that the pans that you need and the pans that you want to have may not be identical. Most people will have more than one size of some pans and while they are fun to own, they are not absolutely necessary.

Before discussing the baking pans that you need, let’s discuss the materials that the pans can be made of. Many baking pans are made of steel or aluminum but they can also be ceramic, stone, or silicone. There are pros and cons for all of them and at the end of the day it comes down to a matter of personal preference.

Cookie sheet 

A cookie sheet is a very versatile piece of bakeware. While it is designed to bake cookies it can be used for so much more. It is perfect to cook turnovers, strudels, baking potatoes, pork chops, fish, and chicken. You will probably be able to use your cookie sheet just about every day.

Loaf pan

If you are going to be baking bread, you will need a loaf pan. It can be a basic white, a sweet cinnamon raisin or just about anything in between. It is also a go-to pan when it is time to make meatloaf. Loaf pans come in more than one size so this is one pan where you may have multiples.

Muffin pan

Muffin pans also come in several sizes, there are mini muffins, standard, and the jumbo muffins. Mini muffin pans are great for making several different types of appetizers in addition to little blueberry muffins. A muffin pan can also be used for cupcakes. If you get a non-stick pan then using muffin cups is optional for other pans the paper muffin cups keep things from sticking.

13 by 9

A 13 by 9 is also a workhorse of a pan. It is great for a sheet cake but also can bake a casserole or just about anything else that you need to bake. It is often used as a roasting pan as well.

Pie plate

Baking a pie takes a certain amount of skill and having the right pie plate can really help. Pie plates come in many different sizes and depths so be sure that your plate matches the size that your recipe calls for.

Cake pans

If you are going to attempt layer cake, you need to have round cake pans. Cake pans come in different sizes as well so it is important to read the recipe carefully so that you don’t end up with too little batter for the pans that you have.

Square baking pan

A good solid square baking pan is an 8-inch size but they come in others including 9 and 10-inch. This pan is good for a small cake or a coffee cake.

Beyond these pans, there are Bundt pans, springform pans, popover pans, pizza pans and tube pans just to name a few. So as to exactly what bakeware you need, probably all of them at one time or another and if you have the room, why not have them all?