6 pieces of bakeware every kitchen should have

Whether you're roasting vegetables or baking your grandma's favourite cake, these are building blocks for your kitchen's bakeware.

These shallow rectangular pans are versatile and easy to clean. Their large surface area is great for making cookies, rolls or pizza.

2. Baking pan

Baking pans come in different shapes with higher walls to accommodate cakes, bread and other foods that rise while cooking. Consider which dishes you'll be cooking to choose a size you'll be able to use.

3. Springform pan

These round pans have a separate bottom and side piece that latch together tightly. They are used for desserts that go into the oven in a liquid form and set during cooking. Because of their delicate nature, you simply release the latch and remove the ring for serving.

4. Cupcake/muffin pan

A cupcake or muffin pan usually has six to 12 spaces, and comes in miniature, medium or large size. Muffins and mini cakes are easy to make with these pans, especially when combined with paper muffin liners for easy handling and cleanup.

5. Pie pan

Pie pans have flat bottoms and shallow sloped walls with a lip. They’re designed for serving slices directly from the pan. Pie pans are available with removable bottoms.

6. Loaf pan

Loaf pans are designed in the classic shape of a loaf of bread and are commonly used for baking sliceable cakes like banana bread and fruit cake. Since it’s difficult to serve directly from a loaf pan, non-stick surfaces are best.

While you're shopping for bakeware, it's important to keep the materials they're made of in mind. Here are the most important types:

Aluminum

Aluminum is a popular bakeware material because it’s an excellent conductor of heat. It could be plain aluminum, anodised or cast aluminum. Anodised is hard-wearing and cast aluminum is durable and often treated with a non-stick surface.

Enamelled cast iron

This conducts heat well but may cook food faster than other pan materials. Enamelled cast iron bakeware can be expensive.

Heavy-gauge metal

This spreads heat evenly, making it ideal for baking heavy cakes, like old-fashioned fruit cakes. Unless pans have a non-stick coating, they must be greased or lined before adding the batter.

Glass

Glass can be used for baking, but since it is a poor heat conductor, baking can be slow and uneven.

Silicone

Silicone molds offer superior flexibility and durability in temperatures up to 675 degrees Fahrenheit. Their flexibility makes it easier to remove baked products, and they are always non-stick and easy to clean.

Ceramic

This bakeware is made from coated clay and is both durable and stylish, making it good for baking and serving. They must be greased well before using.

If you like to bake on a regular basis, you’ll appreciate good quality bakeware that gives you reliable results. Now that you know what to look for, you can choose a set of baking supplies to outfit your kitchen for years to come.

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