Aldi Shoppers Are Obsessed With These Silicone Baking Trays
Spring baking is getting a kitchen upgrade with these silicone baking trays, which, as shared by the Aldi Favorite Finds Instagram account, are just $4.99. Per Aldi's website, the Crofton Reinforced Silicone Baking Mat comes in three colors, "Navy, Gray or Light Green." Sized at 15.35" x 11", they do not require an additional baking sheet, and with their rigid rims, the baking trays can go directly onto oven grates for ease of use, in place of a traditional metal pan. The silicone trays are available "while quantities last," per the Aldi website.
The baking trays' size might seem non-traditional for a sheet pan. According to CNET, quarter baking sheets are generally 9 inches by 13 inches, and half sheet pans are 18 by 13 inches. Still, the price of $4.99 makes this Aldi find almost too good to miss. Aldi Favorite Finds mentioned that, "I love my silicone reinforced donut pan," which vouches for the brand, while another user commented, "I bought two of the mint colored ones and already used them! Love them!!! Whether you're baking cookies, heating up frozen fries, or whatever else, having a few extra baking trays in the house is never a bad idea.
Should you bake cookies on silicone?
Whether it's a silicone baking tray or a silicone mat, some bakers use these options instead of parchment paper when baking. According to MyRecipes, though, the two methods are not interchangeable. While a silicone surface is preferred for high temperatures, it should never be used with a sharp object, for fear of cutting it. On the other hand, parchment paper can be modified to fit a variety of sizes. Sometimes, however, the recipe calls for a specific answer to this baking dilemma.
For example, Serious Eats shares that a silicone mat causes variations in baking because "silicone affects how heat is conducted to the dough." If cookies spread too much or are too greasy, that silicone mat might be why. Sometimes, convenience isn't always the best solution in the kitchen. When a recipe suggests a particular baking method, it might be best to listen to the experts, or those cookies might not be as tasty as expected.