Every oven setting has its own unique cooking and heating properties, which will have different effects on how a bake turns out. Conventional heating is great for cakes, while fan-assisted convection (specifically the mode in combination with conventional heating) is better suited for cookies, brownies and blondies.
If the darker is more appealing, go with 425F. If the lighter is more appealing, stick with the 400F. Regardless, you'll have to keep a close eye on them because oven temperatures and the size of cookie you create can produce very different results.
Try using convection bake mode on your oven. The airflow that accompanies the convection setting means that heat circulates evenly around cookie sheets.) Dark (well-seasoned) pans may burn or over brown the bottoms of your cookies by absorbing heat; adjust your temp or use a lighter color pan.
Top and bottom heat symbol
With two lines at the top and bottom of the symbol, this setting is ideal for roasting and for baking items like pastries, scones or biscuits on a tray. The fan doesn't get used with this setting.
Differences Between Convection and Conventional Ovens
In contrast, convection ovens have a fan that circulates hot air around the food, resulting in more even cooking and a faster cooking time. This fan also helps to reduce hot spots and promote browning, making it ideal for baking cookies.
The top and bottom heat symbol is typically made up of two horizontal lines – one at the top and one at the bottom. These represent the heating elements. Both heating elements are used at the same time. So it's good for things like baking cakes and bread.
Reduced Time: Convection baking often requires shorter baking times, so your cookies are ready faster without compromising quality. Crispier Edges: The consistent airflow helps achieve a crispier cookie, ideal for those who love a bit of crunch.
Convection (fan-assisted) modes, on the other hand, circulate hot air around the oven with the help of a fan. The increased airflow results in faster cooking times while also encouraging crisping, ideal for snap cookies.
When using ovens with both fan-forced and conventional settings, it is best to use conventional when you are baking long and slow (like for cakes) and fan-forced for fast cooking at high temperatures. If using a fan-forced oven, as a general rule, drop the temperature by 20°C to imitate conventional.
A low 325°F produces a crisp, gingersnap-like cookie, while a moderate 350°F makes a thicker, chewier snickerdoodle-style cookie. In this experiment, we're baking chocolate chip cookies at three different temperatures to explore the effects of oven temperature on cookie shape and texture.
Which oven rack position should you use when baking cookies? Cookies should be baked on the center oven rack for even heating and air circulation.
Conventional ovens feature heating elements on the top and bottom of the oven cavity. Convection ovens have these elements in addition to a fan that helps circulate hot air throughout the oven cavity. This can help dishes placed on different racks bake at a similar rate.
3. Top/Bottom Heating. Top/Bottom heating is the most effective setting to use when you are baking or roasting on a single level. The heat is emitted evenly from above and below, making it ideal for baking cakes.
The Forza STI is the optimal high-speed oven for baking cookies. Just place the cookie dough on the baking sheet accessory, start the recipe, and observe through the glass cavity as the Forza STI transforms it into delicious, perfectly baked cookies.
A lower temperature will require more cooking time and will ultimately result in a thinner, crisper chocolate chip cookie. For those ooey, gooey chocolate chip cookies, 375 degrees Fahrenheit is your sweet spot.
There are some key benefits to using parchment paper to line pans when making cookies: Even baking: Parchment paper helps ensure even heat distribution by creating a barrier between the dough and the pan, preventing hot spots and reducing the risk of unevenly baked cookies.
Conventional Oven
This is perfect for baking bread, cakes, cookies and any standard baked good.
Conventional / Top and Bottom Heat Symbol
It's suitable for traditional baking and roasting and is often used for recipes that require browning on the top or bottom.
It's super important to get the oven nice and hot before you bake. For chewy cookies, aim for around 350°F (175°C). This temperature helps your cookies bake evenly, giving you that perfect soft center without over-crisping the edges.
COOKIES AND BROWNIES
Convection baking can help produce a more even bake on cookies across multiple racks and can allow you to bake two sheets at once. If you opt for a conventional oven, it's recommended to only bake one sheet at a time for the best results.
The middle rack offers the most even heat and air circulation which helps cookies bake consistently. The bottom rack of the oven is closest to the heat source (ovens heat from the bottom unless you have the broiler on), so it can result in burnt bottoms.
Too little flour, too much sugar
In the same vein, too much sugar leads to the same flat results. “Sugar melts while baking, becoming a liquid ingredient and causing the dough to spread,” Xander shares. If your cookies are consistently coming out flat, weigh your sugar to ensure you're using the right amount.
“If you're trying to get a crispy crust, or you want some caramelization, or you want a more even bake on your pastries, that's when most people will select the convection setting.”