It is a truth universally acknowledged that in order to bake great brownies you need to first get hold of a great brownie pan. With a good quality brownie pan in the house ready to give you the backup you need, all you have to do is whip out your grandma’s secret brownie recipe book, transform into a masterchef that your family will absolutely adore, and make your kitchen smell like dessert heaven.
Brownies are a cross between a cookie and a cake. They are a rich, decadent, chocolatey treat that the family does not have to wait until they have cooled down to devour. The type of pan in which you elect to bake your brownie mix will determine whether your final baked product leans more towards a tall and therefore moist cake, or a thin, slightly crispy and chewy brownie.
In this article, we look at some of the best brownie pans that are for sale for all the brownie lovers out there, both newbies and experts, looking for a hassle free baking experience.Best Pick
Our best pick is the best-selling aluminium Baker’s Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan made in the US and has a long-lasting silicone nonstick coating that makes removal easy.
Budget Pick
Our budget pick is the Wilton Bite-Size Brownie Square Silicone Mold, 24-Cavity, that is also aluminium and nonstick, can bake 24 pieces at a time, and is BPA, PVC, and phthalates free.
Quick Comparison: Top 8 Best Brownie Pans
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1. Baker’s Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan
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If the dry and crispy bits of the brownie are your favorite bits, then the Baker’s Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan is the answer to your prayers. Launched in 2006 and a product of the US, this pan quickly became a bestseller, because of its ability to give brownie lovers at least 2 chewy edges and, in some cases, 3 chewy edges, to every piece of baked brownie. It is shaped like a maze but with one continuous chamber, so you will be able to easily pour in approximately 10 cups of delicious brownie batter.
The heat is able to circulate evenly to every part of the pan as a result of this unique design of walls within the pan. This, in turn, makes sure that every piece of baked brownie will have chewy edges and a moist center. This brownie pan is made of heavy gauge cast aluminium and has a durable nonstick coating.
It is super easy to clean and will, moreover, never warp due to the high temperature inside the oven. This brownie pan comes with a nylon spatula that will also make it easy to separate the baked brownies from the pan and a list of some of your favorite brownie recipes. You do not have to worry about having leftovers from your mixes going to waste as standard brownie mixes will fit snugly into this pan.Pros
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2. Wilton Bite-Size Brownie Square Silicone Mold
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If you want to eliminate that component of the baking process where you scratch your head while cutting each brownie piece into some sort of standard size, then the Wilton Bite-Size Brownie Square Silicone Mold can be a lifesaver. With this brownie pan you can bake 24 bite-size pieces at a time, so you will always know exactly how many pieces there will be to eat to begin with, be it for yourself, your entire family, or a high tea party. Because it is freezer, refrigerator, microwave, and oven-safe, you can set this brownie pan to a whole host of other uses like molding ice cubes, gelatin, candles, fudge, soap, or even ice cream.
While Wilton also manufactures nonstick and aluminium bakewares, be prepared to be initiated to the alternative world of baking with their silicone molds. Firstly, there’s no need to grease the pan, so that’s another task less. Then, the food will bake relatively quickly and evenly, and will neither burn nor overcook. Thirdly, the silicone mold will make the brownies chewy and easy to transfer from the pan to your serving dish.
Each mold of the Wilton Bite-Size Brownie Square Silicone Mold measures approximately 1.5 inches in length and width. This means that you will have to put in approximately one tablespoon of batter into each square cavity in order to avoid overfilling them. It is best to place the mold on a solid tray before loading it with batter. This is primarily due to the flexibility of the silicone mold. Although this makes it quite easy to pop the baked product out, it can be a bit of a challenge when it comes to transferring the batter-filled mold into the oven.Pros
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3. Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Bar Baking Pan
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Another product from Wilton, the NonStick Bar Baking Pan is designed to bake 12 serving size dessert pieces at a time. It is made of steel, which will allow it to withstand high temperatures without warping, as well as spreading heat evenly throughout the pan. The non-stick coating adds to its durability by making it easy to scoop your baked treats out of the pan without much of a fuss.
One box of brownie mix should fill up the entire pan; you can alternatively also bake cakes, cookies, muffins, corn bread, eggs, etc. The individual baked brownies with crispy edges on all sides will be around 2.5 in length, 2 inches in width, and 2 inches high. Just be sure to spray lightly some non-stick spray on the pan, which will make it even easier to get the baked brownies out with zero fuss.
The big handles on the sides of the brownie pan makes for better grip and convenience when it comes to putting it in and taking it out of the heated oven. Cleaning up is also super-fast: all you have to do is rinse the baking pan in warm water before placing it in the dishwasher.Pros
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4. USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Brownie Bite Pan
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If you are a fan of edges and a soft gooey center, then the USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Brownie Bite Pan is perfect for your home. Manufactured in the US, this Brownie Bite Pan is made from a combination of new and recycled steel, and can bake up to 20 delights at a time. Apart from its unique corrugated surface design that allows for air circulation, the aluminized steel and heavy gauge steel construction provides even heat distribution so that your brownies will not get burnt in some places and be undercooked in others.
This brownie pan is also coated with Americoat, a silicone that facilitates easy release, and is also PTFE, PFOA, and BPA free. Armed with this brownie pan your kitchen will match up to the high performance standards that professional bakers enjoy. Each well in this brownie pan measures approximately 1.66 inches in length, 1.66 inches in width, and 1.28 inches in height.
Use cooking spray before pouring in the batter into their bite-sized molds, a feature we absolutely loved since it eliminates the task of having to cut up the baked brownies, blondies, etc. Because the Aluminized Steel 20-Well Brownie Bite Pan conducts heat very well, you will have to reduce the temperature and baking time accordingly, which in turn means significantly reduced baking time. It is recommended that only silicone, nylon, or wooden utensils come in contact with the brownie pan, and that you hand wash it after use in warm water with a mild dishwashing soap and sponge.Pros
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5. Bakelicious 73843 Crispy Corner Brownie Pan
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The Bakelicious 73843 Crispy Corner Brownie Pan, Non-stick can bake up to 12 brownies or other sweet snacks at a time. Compared to the standard pan, which will give you approximately 14 crispy edges, this brownie pan is designed to give you the advantage of 48 crispy edges, that is, all brownies will have 4 crispy sides. All you have to wait for is to flip the pan over once the baked brownies have cooled and gently tap the pan to release the brownies.
The Bakelicious 73843 Crispy Corner Brownie Pan, Non-stick is made of carbon steel. Its nonstick coating aids in removing the baked brownies from the pan and cleaning. Be sure to adjust the baking temperature and time because this is a dark coated pan. Each cavity will hold approximately 3.5 ounces of batter.
Greasing the pan before pouring in the batter is a good idea as this will ease the post baking process of getting the brownies out. The brownies are going to be in a polygon shape rather than the traditional square or rectangle. It is recommended that you hand wash the brownie pan and dry it completely before putting it away.Pros
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6. Nordic Ware Pro-Cast Brownie Bites Pan
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The Nordic Ware Pro-Cast Brownie Bites Pan is manufactured in the US and can bake 16 square brownies at one time. It is made of heavy cast aluminium for even heating and uniform baking, which also makes it a long lasting product. Since regular cooking spray is not to be used for this baking pan, be sure to grease with either butter or shortening before you commence baking as this will make it very easy to remove the brownies in one piece.
Fill each cavity in the brownie pan up to ¾ of the way and you will end up with chewy edges on all four sides of the brownie. The slight indentation on the top of each baked brownie makes for fine detail and is perfect if you are one of those who like to take the baking and presentation process to the next level by topping your confectionary.
The non-stick coating makes for easy release of the baked goodies and facilitates washing up. It is recommended that you hand wash the Nordic Ware Pro-Cast Brownie Bites Pan with a mild detergent. It is also best if you do not leave the pan soaking in the sink for too long.
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7. Red Copper Brownie Bonanza Pan by Bulbhead
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Whether you are baking for yourself, your family, or for company, with the Red Copper Brownie Bonanza Pan by Bulbhead baking becomes an event in itself. This is because the 18 pieces of brownie bliss you will be preparing with this brownie pan come with a divider tray, a lifting tray, and a brownie stand. Once you have poured in the batter evenly, simply insert the brownie divider tray, a nifty feature, which will eliminate the process of cutting up the brownies as well as give you chewy edges on all four sides.
You do not even have to transfer the baked brownies onto another serving dish. You can just place the brownie stand under the lifting tray once the brownies have cooled down and it is dessert time. The copper infused ceramic coating makes for a nonstick and scratch resistant surface, which will also significantly reduce the amount of oil or any other grease you end up consuming.
Also, the dividers will also significantly reduce baking time. Although you can put the Red Copper Brownie Bonanza Pan by Bulbhead into the dishwasher, it is recommended that you hand wash it with a mild detergent and warm water.Pros
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8. Wilton Brownie Pops Silicone Brownie and Cake Pop Pan
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The Wilton Brownie Pops Silicone Brownie and Cake Pop Pan is designed to bake 8 fun oval shaped chocolatey treats at a time, which makes this the ‘must have’ brownie pan when it comes to baking for any special occasion throughout the year. A box of brownie mix will make approximately 24 pops. Since you can probably only bake one half of the batter at a time, it is probably best to invest in two molds.
It is best to wait for the brownies to cool completely before trying to pop them out of the mold. The Wilton Brownie Pops Silicone Brownie and Cake Pop Pan is very easy to clean.
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Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Brownie Pan
At first glance all bakeware may look the same: yes, they all go into a preheated oven for a certain number of minutes; sure, most of the time, the recipe instructions only say that the ingredients are to be baked. But what you are going to bake as well as what utensils you are going to bake it in are two equally important factors for consideration. Indeed, the type of utensil you bake in will have a significant impact on the baking process and, therefore, on the texture, thickness, appearance, and even the taste of your final product.
First thing first, it is paramount that you buy a brownie baking pan that is of good quality. An ideal baking pan will be sturdy and be able to withstand high temperatures without bending. They will have the right amount of thickness so that the brownie mix will bake and not burn.
Size is another important factor to consider when purchasing a brownie pan. Most recipes will require you to use a 9x13” pan. Using a smaller pan than the pan size specified in the recipe will give you a thick product that will be more like a cake than a brownie.
There is also a chance that the center will not have been completely cooked and a bigger pan with more surface area, on the other hand, will give you thin and crispy brownies.
Dark colored pans will cause the brownies to become brown faster, resulting in hard overcooked edges and dry brownies. If this is the type that you already have, then be sure to adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly. Light colored baking pans conversely will absorb and radiate less heat, and are best to use for those baked goodies that you want to cook more evenly.
How easily your baked brownies come off the baking utensil is a frequently asked question. Some bakeware will require you to additionally grease its surface before you pour in the batter while others will not and similarly, some brownie baking pans are dishwasher safe whereas others require you to hand wash them in a particular manner. The type you buy will depend once again on how you organize and run your kitchen.
The question of whether you are a brownie edge lover or just love brownies in general is another concern when choosing to invest in a brownie pan. With the typical baking pan, you will get chewy bits only on the edges, which means that most pieces that will be consumed once the brownies are cut into slices may not have chewy edges. But as this review shows, most brownie pans have been specifically designed with chewy edge lovers in mind.
Types of Brownie Baking Pans
Ceramic
If you are one of those who prefer to serve their brownies in the dishes they were baked in then ceramic brownie pans are one of your best options. They are beautiful bakeware as well as functional. They are ideal if you want your baked brownies to stay warm for longer if you intend to perhaps serve them with ice cream, for instance.
Aluminium
Brownie pans made of metal tend to hold heat for a longer duration, so this will reduce your baking time. Aluminium pans that are dark colored will absorb more heat than those that are light colored. This should be taken into consideration to avoid your brownies overbaking. Light colored baking pans, on the other hand, will heat up and cool down quickly, which implies that there should be less likelihood of overcooking.
Steel
As with the aluminium pans above, steel brownie baking pans are good conductors of heat, which will reduce your time in the kitchen. Metal ones also produce a harder, chewy brownie.
Silicone
As the newest line of bakeware utensils, silicone pans come in pretty bright colors and will, after years of use, continue to look new. While they are structurally flimsy, most manufacturers supplement this by designing companion racks that will stabilize the silicone pan when transferring them from the kitchen table to the oven or vice versa. With silicone baking pans, you can expect to use very little or no grease.
Non-stick
Brownies are relatively easy to remove from non-stick pans once they are done baking. The brownies tend to be crispy on the edges and soft at the center.
Foil pans
These are your best option if you are seeking a baking kit that is disposable. Whether you are taking a dish to a party or just baking for the family, foil pans will produce a softer brownie compared to pans made of glass or metal.
Glass
Baking brownies in pans made of glass will produce chewy edges and moist center. Glass pans have poor heat conduction: they are slow to heat up and also slow to cool down. But once they heat up, they get very hot. What this means is that it may case the brownie to overbake as the glass will retain the heat and the brownie will continue to cook even after it has been removed from the oven.
One way to deal with this should you want to continue using your glass brownie baking pan is to use foil or parchment paper to line your pan. This will allow you to lift your brownies from the pan once the baking is done. On the positive side, glass baking pans will give you more evenly cooked brownies.
Bar pan
With these brownie baking pans, you are essentially buying a pan with molds in which you pour in the brownie batter to create individual bars of brownies that are rectangle, square, or oval shaped.
Advantages of Using a Brownie Pan
There is no doubt that brownies are an all time favorite comfort food. Some of us want to bake them ourselves in our homes so that we do not have to wait solely for that trip to the supermarket, cafe, or bakery, before our senses can be delighted by another brownie. Baking at home, especially if you are baking from scratch, further allows you to be calorie conscious.
You have the advantage of tweaking how much of each ingredient you want to put and thereby cater to the specific needs and preferences of your family. Also, baking freshly at home means that the brownies are going to be fresh, flavorful, and moist for a lot longer compared to store-bought ones. But baking can be a bit of a challenge without the right ingredients, the right sort of baking utensils, and the right temperature inside the oven.
While you can be sure that abiding by the brownie recipe will fill your home with the mouthwatering aroma of chocolate, the ability to evenly bake in the oven and extract your brownies intact from the baking pan remains the single most cause for concern.