Here’s how to expertly line a square, rectangle, or circle baking pan with parchment paper, so that it fits perfectly every time!
Lining a baking pan with parchment paper is one of the easiest ways to save time, energy and stress when baking. I love that when I use parchment all I have to do is lift the edges of the paper to pull my baking right out of the pan. Seems like a no brainer right?! But what isn’t as obvious, is how to properly line a baking pan with parchment to fit it to perfection. So for that, I am here to help!
How to Line a Baking Pan with Parchment
You can watch me do this hack HERE, or follow along these steps using the images to help.
Step 1: Tear off a large piece of parchment paper (bigger than your pan length-ways).
Step 2: Place your pan on top of the parchment paper length-ways. Without moving the pan, cut out the corners of the parchment paper on each corner.
Step 3: Spray the pan with cooking spray.
Step 4: Place the trimmed parchment paper inside the pan.
Step 5: Press the parchment into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, lining up the respective corners: it should fit perfectly.
Step 6: You’re done and ready to bake!
How to Line a Round Cake Pan
So you mastered the square/rectangle…but what about the round pan?! This one is actually so easily you will be kicking yourself for not knowing. Refer to the images below to help!
Step 1: Cut off a sheet of parchment just slightly bigger than the cake pan.
Step 2: Fold the parchment in half.
Step 3: Fold the parchment in half again.
Step 4: Fold into a triangle.
Step 5 / Step 6: Fold the triangle in half again to make an even smaller triangle.
Step 7: Hold the triangle against the pan. Find the corner of the triangle where the center of the paper will be once it’s unfolded. Place this corner in the middle of the cake pan and hold the parchment right where it hits the edge of the pan.
Step 8: Using where you are holding the parchment as a guide, trim the triangle about 1/8-inch in from the edge of your pan (to help it fit inside).
Step 9: Unfold the parchment.
Step 10: Voilà! Enjoy a perfect round for your cake pan!
Do You Need to Use Parchment Paper?
Technically, in most cases, you don’t need it. Of course, you could just grease the pan, but if you really want to make sure your cake will come out of the pan, good ‘ol parchment paper will always do the trick. Oh, and it saves you the headache of the extra clean up which is important!
