When it comes to baking, the equipment you use is maybe more crucial than the recipe.
Among them, the baking pan is an important factor. In general, you should always use the pan specified in the recipe.
This is due to the fact that it influences the density, flavor, and even the size of your cakes or cookies.
People sometimes confuse jelly roll pans with baking pans due to their similar appearance.
The two, however, have substantial variances, which is why you cannot cook the same dish in both.
After dissecting the distinctions between these two pans, you’ll probably realize why one cannot be used in lieu of the other.
This tutorial will take you through them and what you can cook in them. Continue reading to discover out.
Contents
What exactly is a Jelly Roll Pan?
A jelly roll pan is a baking sheet that is flat with slightly raised edges.
These rims, or edges, are usually just one inch tall. This rim is what permits jelly roll pans to be versatile, since they may be used to bake both cakes and cookies.
Moreover, these pans are constructed from a variety of materials, but the most frequent ones are aluminum or aluminized steel.
Jelly roll pans are often smaller, which allows them to fit in any kind of oven and be readily stored. In fact, it will almost certainly fit in your dishwasher.
Since they are smaller, jelly roll pans are suitable for daily usage if you have a small family.
Also read: Best Jelly Roll Pans for Cakes and Cookies
Jelly Roll Pan Applications
Beautiful spirals of Swiss rolls are often baked in jelly roll pans. They are also known as jelly rolls, which gave rise to the name of these pans.
This is due to the fact that they aid in the creation of thin but durable sponge cakes that are thick enough to be rolled out with a filling in between.
Several people bake homemade granola, peanut butter brittles, and even meat loves in jelly roll pans.
For example, if you want thin blondies and brownies that are crispy on the exterior but soft on the inside, you can bake them nicely in a jelly roll pan.
With this pan, you may also roast veggies.
What exactly is a baking pan?
Let’s move on to the more often used baking pan. They are most likely present in your kitchen.
Baking pans are the most adaptable instruments for baking a wide variety of foods.
These are somewhat bigger than jelly roll pans and are thus excellent for larger households. They are, however, available in a variety of sizes.
Moreover, baking pans come in a variety of forms, such as rectangular, square, round, and even heart-shaped.
Baking sheets are also ideal for novices or those who do not cook often.
The fact that they are available in a variety of materials adds to their versatility.
Stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and aluminum steel are among them. Each of these varieties has a different heat conductivity.
As a result, they will have variable cooking times.
Baking Pan Applications
Since baking pans are so adaptable and available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, they may absolutely be used for several purposes.
They may be used to bake cakes, cookies, and other delicacies like as tarts, as well as savory foods.
Baking pans, for example, may be used to bake pizza, a casserole, lasagna, fish and chips, and much more.
It all depends on the size of these pans, which enable you to bake a variety of items in them.
To bake bread dough, for example, you don’t need need a bread pan. You may bake bread in a baking pan instead.
You may also create bread rolls in these pans, depending on their size.
Distinctions between a Jelly Roll Pan and a Baking Pan
Let’s talk about the distinctions between jelly roll pans and baking pans now that you know what they’re used for.
If you’re unsure which one to choose for your baking, the information below will help you make an educated selection.
Versatality
The main difference between the two pans is that one is much more adaptable than the other.
Jelly roll pans are only available in one shape: rectangular. They are also only available in two materials: aluminum and aluminized steel.
Baking pans, on the other hand, come in a variety of forms and sizes.
They are also made of various materials. In comparison to a jelly roll pan, this provides for more diverse cooking.
Building Material
Aluminum, ceramic, carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and aluminized steel may all be used to make baking pans.
This is not the case with jelly roll pans. This is due to the fact that they can only be built of aluminum and aluminized steel.
Size
Jelly roll pans are available in two sizes, both of which are frequently regarded overly tiny.
Here are some examples:
- 9 by 13 inches, with a depth of 1 inch
- 12 by 17 inches, with a depth of 1 inch
When it comes to baking pans, though, they might come in much bigger or much smaller sizes.
This is determined by their form. As a result, you have a variety of sizes to pick from but just a few jelly roll pan options.
Edges
Baking pans are much deeper than jelly roll pans. This is due to the latter’s sharp edges.
This implies that batter flows more readily out of jelly roll pans than baking pans. Also, larger cakes cannot be made in them.
The borders also make it difficult to carry a jelly roll pan since they lack handles.
But, since baking pans are deeper, you may simply use the pan’s sides to grip and carry it.
Uses
There is a clear distinction between the two pans. Baking pans may be used to prepare a variety of foods.
Cakes, cookies, tarts, bread, pizza, bread rolls, lasagna, casseroles, and much more may be made. In many ways, depending on the size, you can bake almost any item in them.
This is not the case with jelly roll pans. This is due to the fact that they can only be used to produce flat cakes or thin sponge cakes.
They are then rolled into Swiss rolls or jelly rolls. They may also be used to roast veggies or bake brownies or cookies. As a result, your options are restricted.
Utilization Ease
Since they are flat and not as deep, jelly roll pans are little more difficult to use and manage.
This implies that the cake should be allowed to flow out, or you may not be able to bake all of the batter.
These pans are also difficult to grip and transport due to their design.
Yet, since baking pans are substantially deeper, they usually come with handles. As a result, they are more easier to use and clean.
Time to Bake
Because baking time varies depending on what you’re cooking, this is a very subjective factor.
If you want to bake a cake or cookies in any of these pans, the cooking time will most likely differ. This is due to the way they are built and designed.
Baking pans are often thicker and bigger.
This is why baking cakes or cookies will most likely take significantly longer.
Jelly roll pans, on the other hand, are thinner and tend to run smaller, so they will need less time and bake quicker.
Which is better to buy, a jelly roll pan or a baking pan?
Because of their similar form, certain jelly roll pans are also known as baking pans.
The two, however, will not be the same. This is due to the fact that baking pans will not be as deep. As a result, you cannot utilize the two at the same time.
A jelly roll pan may be used to create cookies and cakes, however it cannot be used to bake a swiss roll or jelly roll cake.
As a result, deciding which one is a better buy depends on your cooking needs and preferences. A baking pan, for example, is a kitchen necessity due to its versatility.
Most items can be baked in it. Jelly roll pans, on the other hand, are perfect for baking specialized sweets.
A baking pan is your best choice if you need a pan for general baking. If you often make Swiss rolls or jelly rolls, you may consider purchasing a jelly roll pan.
Last Words
You can make a more educated selection now that you understand the key differences, functions, and characteristics of both pans.
In the end, which is better depends entirely on your requirements. If you are not on a tight budget, it is advisable to purchase both.
In any case, it’s impossible to have too many pans!
You may also be interested in:
- How to Make a Jelly Roll Pan Cake
- Greatest Jelly Roll Pan Substitutes
- How to Quickly Cool a Baking Pan (4 Easy Ways)
- Baking Pan vs. Roasting Pan What Is the Distinction?
- Baking using Dark vs. Bright Pans What Is the Distinction?
- What Causes Baking Sheets to Bend in the Oven?
- Which is better: glass or metal baking pans?
- How Do You Prevent Baking Pans from Rusting?
- Baking Sheet vs. Baking Pan What Is the Distinction?