We’ve all heard of a cookie sheet for baking, but if you’re curious about the difference between a jelly roll pan and a cookie sheet, keep reading. Perhaps you wondered how to use one or which one they used in your old favorite recipe. Both have their own unique uses, benefits, and drawbacks. To make sure you are using them both correctly here is a quick breakdown of each one.
What is a Jelly Roll Pan
A jelly roll pan is a rectangular type of baking sheet that has sides much higher than those on cookie sheets. Like cookie shapes, the length of a jelly roll pan can vary but most are 18 inches long by 13 or 14 inches wide. The depth of jelly roll pans range from around 1/2 inch to an inch deep whereas cookie sheets rarely go deeper than 3/4 inch at most.
Some jelly roll pans have a lip that forms the ends of the pan while others are more squared off. The latter is easier to use with some types of dough, especially when you need rounded edges. Oftentimes though, recipes will ask for just “a large baking sheet” which could mean either one and it would not change the end result of your baked goods.
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What Is A Cookie Sheet?
A cookie sheet is another type of rectangular-shaped baking surface that has little to no sides and no lip to speak of. On the bottom, it usually has at least 4 rounded corners for ease of use. The depth of these pans range from around 1/4 inch to 3/4th inch deep but very rarely deeper than that.
Cookie sheets are able to fit in most conventional ovens whether they are conventional, convection, or programmable, and were designed with this in mind so you do not need special features on your oven for them to work as well. You can find cookie sheets made from aluminum but also some other materials like silicone, carbon steel, copper, ironstone, etcetera depending on what kind you choose.
What Is The Difference Between A Jelly Roll Pan And Cookie Sheet?
So now we get to the big question of what is the difference between a jelly roll pan and a cookie sheet? In most cases, there really isn’t much as both have their uses. A cookie sheet will work in all ovens just like jelly roll pans but in many recipes for things like cookies or bars they can be substituted for one another.
For example, to make your favorite oatmeal cookie recipe you could use either and get the same result. However, if you are making something that includes rising time because of yeast then you would want to use a jelly roll pan over a cookie sheet. This is because it allows more air circulation under whatever it is you are making so that when it rises it has room to do so within the confines of your pan. If nothing else the jelly roll pan will be thicker and less likely to warp from heat, it also makes for easy cleanup.
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How to Use Them
Using jelly roll pans and cookie sheets have very similar steps. These are the basic steps that you need to follow:
- To use a jelly roll pan you first need to prep it. If you want even more results, then grease the pan or sheet with butter or oil of your choice and place them in a warm oven before using.
- Then place whatever batter or dough in the center of the pan or sheet, choose the type of dough or batter that you like the most.
- Once baked/cooked, remove from the oven and let it sit on the counter for five minutes; then remove from it from the pan or sheet and place them on a cooling rack if necessary. Once cooled, store the pastry inside an air-tight container or wrapped up well at room temperature. It is very important that you remain patient and you do not skip this step, skipping this step is a usual mistake that most amateur bakers make.
- When making something like bars with oats or shredded coconut then take care to grease the pans or place a sheet of parchment before adding batter to prevent sticking.
To conclude, both of these pans are very similar and it comes down to the recipe that you use them for. If possible you should really try to have both on hand if not at least one of them as they can do a lot of things, but if there is only room in your kitchen for one type then jelly roll pans are preferable over cookie sheets just because of the rising time needed with yeast recipes. Whichever one you choose, you are guaranteed to be pleased with the results and the delicious dessert cravings that you have will surely be satisfied!
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