Did you know that the secret to the perfect brownie lies in more than the right ingredients? It doesn't matter if you use organic ingredients or the best imported chocolate.
Or if you do your blending using a blender or your hands. The end product depends on the brownie pan you use.
It's only the best brownie pan made of suitable top quality material that influences your brownie result. It's what decides if you get a brownie with crisp edges and a soft center or a burnt disaster!
We know how vital a brownie pan is to a home-baker. And this is what prompted us to review some of the top brownie pans that bake perfect brownies and blends well in your kitchen.
We have also included a buying guide to help you decide which material, thickness, and design to buy. And if you still have some questions to ask, you may just find the answers in our final frequently asked questions.
OUR TOP PICK
To us, this brownie pan from Baker's Edge definitely takes the cake!
It's just what you will want in a pan. The non-stick material makes it so much easier for you to rip off those brownies when you are in a hurry. Besides, there's no worry about warping, and it's all the more easier to clean.
And evenly spreading the batter in couldn't be easier, thanks to its single continuous chamber. You just have to pour in the batter and tilt the pan till it's evenly filled. And thanks to its patented design, the results you get are brownies with two chewy edges.
You can't complain about its durability thanks to its heavy gauge cast aluminum construction. And of course, we have to mention that this is one of the few original brownie pans still made in the USA.
The pan evenly circulates heat to the pan's center, where there's maximum heat for optimal brownie baking. The recessed handles are a plus point, providing an easy grab when the pan is upside down.
The fact that this pan comes with a flexible nylon spatula and brownie recipes gives you all the more reason to buy it!. And yes, we have to mention that the pan's size easily fits most recipes and box mixes without making any adjustments.
Pros
- Silicone-based pan with PFOA, PFTE, and Teflon free non-stick coating.
- Easy to use and clean.
- Perfect fit for most box mixes and recipes.
- Includes a flexible spatula and recipe booklet.
Cons
- Sometimes it’s hard to get the white film off with soap and water.
EDITORS CHOICE
This non-stick baking pan from Wilton is our personal favorite. One look at it and you'll know why!
It gives perfectly sized, single-serve brownies, which will be most useful for bakers with kids around. Or if you are baking for a crowd of people. You can easily divide the brownies equally with everyone!.
And it's not only brownies you can bake in it. You can also use it for baking cakes and bar cookies. It's all thanks to its design, which evenly spreads heat to give you the perfectly baked desserts.
And if you always worry about the heat while handling the tray, there's no need to worry here. The tray has oversized handles you can comfortably handle even with mitts on.
We have to highlight a second reason this tray is perfect for a house filled with kids.
Its non-stick surface helps you easily and quickly release baked goodies with a soft and yummy center and delicious crispy edges.
Cleaning is easy because the pan's dishwasher-safe. Just rinse and pop it into the dishwasher. Thanks to its durable steel construction, you don't have to worry about any warping.
Pros
- Produces 12 identical single-serve desserts.
- Convenient handles.
- Non-stick coating.
- Durably built.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- Make sure to put the brownie pan in the middle of the oven to prevent unevenly cooked brownies.
BEST VALUE
If you want real value for your money then this brownie tray from Good Cook is the best brownie pan for you.
It's durably-built with heavy duty material and ideal for all your baking needs like brownies, cookies, cakes, and even other side dishes. The non-stick PFOA coating makes it so much easier to lift your goodies and clean them after your baking.
What more will you need for an exceptional baking experience!
Besides, the fact that it is dishwasher-safe makes its cleaning even more effortless. All you have to do is give it a rinse, and into the dishwasher, it goes.
It is a standard-sized tray, measuring 11x7 inches. And as the surface heat evenly spreads, you know your dessert will cook well with evenly distributed heat.
It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or expert baker. You don't have to worry about warping, thanks to its heavy-duty gauge steel construction.
While this is a deal for a single brownie pan, if you bake a lot and regularly, then you could opt for a cost-efficient pack of two to four trays.
Pros
- Safe PFOA free non-stick coating.
- Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.
- Standard sized and durably built tray.
- Ideal for novice, professional or regular bakers.
- Can use it not only for brownies but also for baking cakes, breads, cookies, and other dishes.
Cons
- Even though the producer claims this brownie pan is dishwasher-safe, I recommend cleaning it by hand to prevent the non-stick coating coming off.
- When used regularly and not dried carefully after cleaning, this pan may become rusty.
RUNNER UP
To us, the first runner up in this list is Wilton's silicone square mold. Why, well, because it's safe for use in the freezer, oven, and microwave. In turn, it means you can also use it to make ice cubes, jelly, and gelatin!
Silicone can withstand temperatures as high as 500°F, easily releases brownies, and is easily cleaned. Most importantly, it makes 24 equal brownies at a time.
So they are perfect to use while baking in bulk or if you have lots of hungry mouths to feed. And they will undoubtedly be your favorite option if you despise and want to escape proportioning baked brownies!
Thanks to the silicone, you know you end up with soft and chewy brownies, a plus point if you like your brownies soft. You don't even have to go through the hassles of greasing the pan before baking. The brownies quickly and evenly cook and are easily released once done.
Pros
- Bakes 24 small-sized brownies at once.
- It comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
- Freezer, refrigerator, microwave, and oven-safe.
- Dishwasher-safe.
Cons
- This sillicone mold is less suitable for making tempered chocolate.
RUNNER UP
Here's an attractive option, a glass brownie dish, ideal if you are tired of rusty, metal brownie pans. It's a safe dish to use in the microwave, freezer, and oven.
In other words, it does more than bake brownies for you. You can use it for baking side dishes and other desserts. Or you can also use it to freeze puddings and serve food.
And as it's clear, you can watch your brownies bake!
The only reason we've given it this second runner up place is that it's not as durable as other options. Made of glass, it easily cracks and even breaks when confronted with sudden temperature changes and impact.
So, in other words, you need to be extra careful while using your glass dish for baking brownies. Not suggested if you are always in a hurry, but well worth the investment if you are a naturally caring person.
Besides, it's hygienically the right choice because it doesn't absorb odors. You don't even have to worry about any staining.
Pros
- Made in the USA.
- Clear and non-porous.
- Safe for use in the oven, microwave, freezer, and refrigerator.
- Dishwasher-safe.
Cons
- Can easily break due to sudden temperature changes.
RUNNER UP
This long-handled iron skillet from Victoria is the right choice for you if you want something more multifunctional than a dedicated brownie pan. It has a wide cooking surface you can use for serving, cooking, baking, grilling, and even oven-to-table use.
Therefore it means you can not only bake cookies in it, but you can use it for cooking so many more delicious dishes like creamy Mac and Cheese and potato hash.
How will you use a frying pan to bake brownies you may wonder? Simply put the brownie batter in and pop it on the cooker.
Because this is a cast-iron pan, it can be used to bake goodies in your oven as well. The pan will give you much better heat retention and distribution. So it means you can expect your food to remain hot for at least 15 minutes or longer.
The curved handle gives you an excellent grip to remove the pan from the oven and while cooking. Just make sure to use thick oven mitts when you pull the pan out of the oven, because the handle will be piping hot as well.
PS. You can safely use the pan for cooking on induction, grill, broiler, oven, and even a campfire. We have to mention an interesting feature about this pan: it's pre-seasoned with a 100% non-GMO flaxseed oil coating.
It's a natural, easy-release ready-to-use seasoning that only gets better with time. Besides, the trace amounts of iron that is naturally released while cooking your skillet brownie is good for health.
Pros
- Versatility.
- Long ergonomically-designed handle for better maneuverability.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Made in Columbia using European cast iron machinery.
- Can be used in induction, ceramic, grill, broiler, campfire, and oven.
Cons
- If you use this pan in your oven to bake brownies in it, make sure to let it cool long enough before you clean it. This way, the metal handle won’t crack due to sudden temperature changes.
RUNNER UP
We have included this NordicWare half sheet commercial baking tray in our best brownie pan list because of its pure, uncoated, natural aluminum. So it means that there's no worry about any rusting for a lifetime.
Besides, aluminum is known for its superior heat conductivity, which means your food and brownies end up baked evenly. It is also non-porous, thus providing a naturally non-stick performance.
The reinforced encapsulated solid core steel rim is also a feature worth mentioning, which adds to the durability, and prevents warping.
The pan is large enough and useful for baking brownies, cookies, and sheet pan dinners. Cleaning up is also easy, with just some hand washing.
Pros
- Made of pure aluminum.
- Durable with optimal heat conductivity.
- Reinforced steel rim prevents warping.
- Scratch-resistant.
- Made in the USA.
Cons
- Aluminum reacts to acidic ingredients, and corrodes with prolonged use.
Best Brownie Pan Buying Guide
There are many aspects to take into consideration when selecting a good brownie pan, making it difficult for some. Like the material, if it's easy to use and clean, and what you plan to use it for. Do you need it only for baking brownies or more?
Here we have compiled a concise but useful buying guide to make your search easier.
Material
You need a brownie pan durable enough to withstand the high heat of your oven. So go for something durable, and at the same time, safe for your food. We suggest looking for something with a high-quality non-stick coating. It not only makes cleaning easy, but it also helps to release your desserts without damaging them. Here are a few of the common materials used for brownie pans with their pros and cons.
1. Steel
Steel brownie pans are your traditional options, offering uniform and fast heat conduction for improved and quicker baking. There's the added benefit of not worrying about rusting, and you can also use them to freeze or cool desserts in the refrigerator.
2. Aluminum
Lightweight, anti-stick aluminum brownie pans with high thermal conductivity are another great option. They produce beautiful soft brownies without any crushing. But aluminum is slightly more expensive than other materials.
3. Ceramic
While ceramic is a natural, anti-stick, non-toxic, and environment-friendly option, it's also vulnerable to damage. You need to take extra care while baking brownies in them.
4. Silicone
It's so much easier to take out your brownies from soft, flexible, and supple silicone trays. Besides, sillicone can be safely used in both ovens and microwaves, making it the perfect choice for various cooking purposes. However, remember that the brownies they give will be soft and not crisp as those baked in metal pans.
5. Glass
Heat-resistant glass pans are great for baking brownies and other dishes too. Cleaning up is also easy and hygienic because it doesn't absorb odors or colors. But due to its low thermal conductivity compared to metal, they take a longer time to bake cookies.
Cleaning up
Non-stick and aluminum brownie pans are easy-to-clean and said to be dishwasher-safe. However, most non-stick pans will be better off if you hand wash them. Silicone versions are dishwasher safe.
Food grade safety
This is very important to use brownie pans made of food-grade material and safe for all oven types.
Removable dividers and grids
Some plain brownie pans have removable dividers. You just pour the batter into it and place them as per your baking requirements. This means your brownies come out of the ovens sliced, saving you the time and hassle of cutting it.
Brownie pan types
Brownie pans come in various sizes and shapes but are broadly classified into traditional and molded pans.
1. Traditional brownie pans
The traditional brownie pan is square and rectangular shaped. You find them without any inner dividers or special features. At the most, they may have some handles and offer the benefit of letting you quickly pour brownie batter into them to make plain brownies you have to slice after baking.
2. Molded pans
As the name suggests, these are pans with inner dividers or cavities, which means you don't have to do any proportioning. The ideal choice if you bake a lot of brownies and don't have time to slice them. However, you have to be careful while pouring the batter. Do it precisely and accurately to prevent spillage. Also, you have to carefully release your baked goods to prevent damaging them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions:
What is the best brownie pan for baking brownies?
If you are looking for crispy and flavorful brownies, choose something in aluminum or steel with a non-stick coating. While you can use silicone bakeware for baking brownies, you can't expect the same crispness.
Must I butter the pan before baking?
We suggest you give a light coating of softened butter or cooking spray even if it's not mentioned in the recipe. It makes releasing the baked brownies so much easier.
What is the best-sized brownie pan?
The best brownie pans are rectangular or square shaped, about 2-3 inches deep. There are also larger pans and pans in exciting shapes. So it boils down to selecting the brownie pan that fits best to your baking load and frequency. Just remember to double the ingredient amount if you buy a larger pan so that the batter spreads evenly while maintaining the taste.
Do glass pans take a longer time to bake brownies?
Yes, your brownie cooks fastest in metal pans than in glass pans. But you can manage the baking process better in glass trays because you can watch the brownie as it bakes.
Conclusion
So if you still wonder which is the best brownie pan, it all depends on your individual preferences and requirements. You have to factor in elements like proportioning, cleaning, and off course pricing.
Hopefully this buying guide will be of help to you in your decision making process.
