Circulon Nonstick Bakeware Set

The scent of freshly baked cookies or a cooling pie is a friendly way to welcome people into your home (having tasty treats at the ready doesn’t hurt, either!). But buying a bakery-scented candle won’t cut it — the real deal always smells better. 

Whether you’re an all-star baker or you’re just getting started with your first batch of chocolate chip cookies, the job gets a lot easier if you’ve got the right tools. Bakeware like cookie sheets, cake pans, loaf pans and muffin pans will turn your raw dough into mouthwatering creations. Having a reliable set of mixing bowls and glass bakeware for oven cooking and food storage helps every step go smoothly.

First things first: learn the function of every piece of bakeware to determine what you need in your kitchen. Cookie sheets have many possibilities; it’s smart to buy several of them. You can obviously use them to bake up sweet and soft snickerdoodles or smiling gingerbread men, but cookie sheets have their place in the savory world as well.

You can spread veggies like brussels sprouts, beets and carrots across them, then toss the cookie sheet in the oven for warm roasted vegetables. Cookie sheets also serve as a platform for baked fish or chicken, and you can cook pizzas on them to save your oven from pesky crumbs.

The best cookie sheets (or baking sheets) are made from heavy-duty steel or aluminum. Nonstick baking pans are covered with Teflon or other coatings that prevent food from sticking. 

Round cake pans and square cake pans are designed for just that: creating round or square cakes. You can use more than one to create layered cakes for birthdays and other special events, or just stick to one layer for tasty simplicity. Cake pans are usually made from aluminum or another metal, and they’re often covered in nonstick coating. 

Loaf pans are cake pans’ rectangular cousins. They’re handy for making quick breads, like banana bread or beer bread. They’re also made from metal and usually covered in Teflon. 

Muffin pans will help you create batches of six, nine or twelve delicious muffins or cupcakes. They have a similar construction to other types of baking pans. Muffin pans can also be used to whip up egg bites that you can grab on busy mornings and other savory treats. 

Of course, you can’t get started on your baking journey without some mixing bowls. Mixing bowls come in a variety of sizes, materials and colors. Stainless steel bowls, like FINEDINE Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, are built to last, and you can use them to mix food at almost any temperature. Many are also refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher safe. You’ll want a mixing bowl set with a wide range of sizes, from ¾ quart to eight quarts. Bowls that nest inside of each other will save you cabinet space, and bowls with flat bottoms will keep your doughs and icings safe as you blend them. 

Glass bakeware, like the Pyrex Glass Bakeware Set, is great for cooking up brownies, casseroles and other oven-friendly treats. It’s extra handy because you can take it straight from the oven to the fridge for storage. Many glass bakeware sets also come with locking lids, which will keep your baked goods fresh for days or weeks. Look for heavier glass containers with microwave and freezer-safe lids if you want to take advantage of those benefits.

Now that you’ve got a handle on the basics of baking sets, you can read up on specifics in our Tips & Advice.

• Consider what type of baking you enjoy doing the most. Are you mad about muffins? Look for a set with a larger muffin pan. Do quickbreads make your heart sing? Check for bakeware sets with one or more loaf pans. 
• Budget is always one of the first considerations. If you’re baking frequently, feel free to spend a little more on a comprehensive baking set that meets all of your needs. If you’re just getting started, a smaller set makes more sense. 
• Many baking sets don’t include mixing bowls, so take that added cost into account when you’re shopping. 
• If you love brownies, you’ll want to add some glass bakeware to your kitchen arsenal. This bakeware is also ideal for savory meals and storage.
• Take care of your Teflon! If you don’t, your nonstick baking set will lose its nonstick qualities and some of the Teflon might chip off into your food. To keep your Teflon in tip-top shape, avoid using metal utensils. Silicone spatulas, whisks, turners, spoons and ladles are affordable and hold up better than plastic. The Rachael Ray Bakeware Set even boasts silicone grips. 
• Wait for your nonstick bakeware to cool completely before washing them. Even if the bakeware is marked as dishwasher safe, like the Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware Set, it’s better to hand wash them to prevent wear and tear from high temperatures. Wash them with dish liquid and use scratch-proof scouring pads and sponges. 
• Avoid using lots of acidic ingredients in your nonstick bakeware. Acidic ingredients promote flaking. 
• Store your bakeware properly between uses. Avoid stacking nonstick bakeware directly on top of each other. Instead, store them with a layer of paper towel between each pan to prevent scratches. You’ll also want to keep them away from any sharp utensils like knives or tongs.