Special Equipment for Breads

Shiny Aluminum Pans The best choice for baked goods consistent in color and texture. It prevents quick bread loaves and coffeecakes from becoming too dark on the bottom and around the sides of the pan.

Dark Nonstick PansThese pans help keep your baked goods from sticking. However, they tend to brown quickly, particularly on the edges and bottom. Many nonstick baking pan manufacturers recommend reducing the oven temperature by 25°F.

Insulated Pans Consists of two thin sheets of aluminum with a layer of air between them. Baked goods baked in insulated baking pans may require more baking time, and they often don't brown well on the bottoms and sides.

Ovenproof Glass Ovenproof glass loaf pans and baking dishes are sometimes used to bake quick breads, loaves and coffeecakes. Baked goods baked in glass brown well and you can see the coloring all around. When substituting a glass baking dish for a metal baking pan, reduce the oven temperature by 25°F.

Disposable Aluminum Pans Readily available in supermarkets, these are perfect for baked goods which will be given away as gifts. While available in sizes comparable to aluminum baking pans and glass baking dishes, they are often 1/4- to 1/2-inch smaller in length, width and depth. Baking times will need to be adjusted accordingly.

Loaf Pan/Dish Sizes (for Quick Bread Loaves) While the exact sizes of loaf pans vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, the most common loaf pan sizes available are:

• 9" x 5" (holds 8 cups batter)
• 8-1/2" x 4" (holds 6 cups batter)
• 5-1/2" x 3" (holds 2 cups batter)

Baking Pan/Dish Sizes (for Coffeecakes) Round: 8" x 2" (holds 6 cups batter)
Round: 9" x 2" (holds 8 cups batter)
Square: 8" x 2" (holds 8 cups batter)
Square: 9" x 2" (holds 10 cups batter)
Rectangle: 11" x 7" x 2" (holds 6 cups batter)
Rectangle: 13" x 9" x 2" (holds 14 cups batter)
9-inch tube or angel food cake pan (holds 12 cups batter)10-inch Bundt or fluted tube pan (holds 12 cups batter)