Lastly, I love rolling out dough for cut-out cookies on parchment instead of a silicone mat. I just lay another piece of parchment on top of the dough and roll the dough between the two pieces, which also helps my rolling pin from becoming a sticky mess.
Baked on parchment, they turn out like little muffin tops, tender, pale, and soft through and through—the specific attributes we're looking for in a soft and cakey sugar cookie like this. Baked on silicone, however, they spread more and thin out around the edges, turning crisp.
Do not ever use parchment or wax paper in the broiler. Despite its heat resistance, parchment paper can't handle the heat of any broiler, which can reach temperatures upward of 500°F. And wax paper? It should never come near the high heat of the oven or broiler.
If your question is just ``do I -need- to do it for safety or is it a requirement for it to work properly'' then the answer is just no, silicone is a safe substance to cook on and much safer than non-stick pan chemicals. It also does not require the use of parchment.
Lastly, I love rolling out dough for cut-out cookies on parchment instead of a silicone mat. I just lay another piece of parchment on top of the dough and roll the dough between the two pieces, which also helps my rolling pin from becoming a sticky mess.
To prevent sticking, seal the wood so the silicone can't soak into it. Krylon Acrylic spray is a good choice. It is compatible with just about any substrate or silicone rubber.
If parchment paper is coated in silicone, you may wonder, is there are risk to my health if it ends up in my food? Thankfully, no.
Cost. One of the primary disadvantages of parchment is its high budget due to the meticulous process involved in preparing animal skin.
While silicone tends to bake very evenly, you need to use a sheet tray to stabilize it, which may cause it to heat unevenly. Plus, anyone who's ever filled a mold and tried to move it to the oven on a tray knows how messy things can get.
A basic saying to guide your use of papers in the kitchen: "Sweet treats need parchment sheets; grill or broil, go with foil," says Weaver. Foil conducts and distributes heat, making it able to withstand high temperatures from baking, broiling, roasting, or grilling. For anything above 400 degrees, use foil.
More about Silicone Baking Mats
They also should not be used with high temperatures and when using your broiler.
When they heat up in the oven the silicone molecules expand allowing the mats to absorb oil. Over time, you end up with buildup that can't be washed away with dish soap alone. Thankfully, the mats can still be cleaned; they just need special attention.
Silicone mats and parchment paper both have advantages in the air fryer. Silicone mats offer durability, reusability, and excellent heat resistance, making them a more eco-friendly option.
As a result, when you place the shiny side up, you maximize the benefits of this nonstick surface, ensuring that your food releases easily without leaving residue behind. The shiny side prevents residue and baked-on bits from adhering to your baking sheet, making cleanup a breeze.
When shouldn't you use parchment paper? Parchment paper is not meant for high-heat cooking. The product box should indicate the highest temperature it can safely withstand, which is usually around 500℉. Do not use parchment paper when grilling or otherwise near an open flame.
Parchment is a non-toxic, grease- and moisture-resistant paper specially treated for oven use and can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Greasing Pans
Rege always uses oil or butter in addition to parchment to ensure that everything will come out cleanly. She makes sure to grease the pan before adding parchment (which helps the parchment adhere and hold in place), then greases the parchment surface as well.
Food-grade silicone is considered safe for baking and cooking below the temperature of 428 degrees Fahrenheit. When used at appropriate temperatures and in ways listed by the manufacturer, silicone remains inert and is not expected to leach into food.
Parchment keeps cookies from spreading too much in the oven, and keeps their texture nice and light. Silicone encourages more spread, reduces conductivity, and can often cause baked goods to sweat on the bottom as they cool which can make the texture a little weird.
But if you are concerned about chemicals that might leech into your food, Rogers recommends using unbleached parchment paper during cooking. “If they work the same, why not play it safe?” Rogers says. “If you have a choice, go ahead and use the unbleached [parchment paper] in your cooking.”
Non-porous materials: Silicone sealants do not bond well to non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, and plastic. The low surface energy of these surfaces makes it difficult for silicones to form strong bonds.
4. Greasing Can Help. Generally, good old greasing is not really necessary with silicone molds. However, using cooking sprays or even greasing before baking and cooking can make your life a lot easier when it comes to washing them later on.