Baking is one of those kitchen tasks where some special equipment is necessary. Many recipes need an oven, special containers such as baking pans and cupcake trays, and even things such as parchment paper, whisks, and a silicone spatula. While you can certainly go without and use whatever would be a good substitute, it is definitely easier if you're using the right tools.
However, if you're baking during this pandemic, you may not be able to buy or have access to the tools you need. If you are craving something that needs to be baked and know you do not have baking pans needed for the recipe to be a success, you have the option to use these items instead:
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Use llaneras.
Who said that llaneras are just for leche flan? These aluminum pans are just as useful for other batters and baking recipes. In fact, these are just smaller, oval-shaped versions of the bigger aluminum cake baking pans that you are using.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Use the larger, oval shapes for "cakes" that you can divide into smaller portions and use the smaller individually sized llaneras for cupcakes. You should still practice the same procedure of preparing the pan: Grease and line with parchment paper as instructed, place cupcake liners, or cut out parchment paper in the smaller llaneras.
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓watch nowPhoto by Riell Santos -
Use cleaned-out cans.
Are you craving cupcakes? If you are and do not have a cupcake tray, try searching through your recycling bin for some cans. If you have a bunch of cans of the same size, you can use a can opener to completely cut off the top, clean them out, and use these as substitute cupcake trays. You just need to have enough structure for your cupcake liners to stay stiff. It should be strong enough to hold the batter but also high enough to contain the cupcake as it rises in the oven.
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Make one from aluminum foil.
Did you know you could make a baking pan completely from aluminum foil? The trick here is to first create an outline of the shape you need by folding foil to create the walls of the pan. You'll then need more foil to cover that outline to create the bottom of the pan. Place this onto the drip tray of your oven to keep it from being weighed down by the cake batter when you pour it in.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓You might want to watch this great video by Lindsay Ann on how she made a baking pan completely out of foil! It's a genius trick for those times when you have the wrong size pan, too.
Photo by RitaE from Pixabay
Not all recipes use special equipment but those that do need baking pans that you don't have can still be done with these easy hacks! Give these a try the next time and see if you can finally make that cake (or cupcake!) recipe you've been dying to try come true.
