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Best Brownie Baking Pans

Updated March 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Bakers Edge Nonstick Brownie Pan
Bakers Edge
Nonstick Brownie Pan
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Feature-packed

A design that our baking expert loves for getting maximum edge pieces.

Feature-packed
Bottom Line

A design that our baking expert loves for getting maximum edge pieces.

Pros

Pan is made from sturdy, nonstick aluminum. Maze pattern gives every brownie a crispy edge. Pan fits a standard size box of brownie mix. Included spatula is the perfect size to lift brownies from pan. Recipe book is also included.

Cons

Pan sits at a slightly higher price point.

Best Bang for the Buck
Gotham Steel Brooklyn Brownie Pan
Gotham Steel
Brooklyn Brownie Pan
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Trusted Brand

Reliable Gotham Steel brand holds up its renowned nonstick reputation.

Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Reliable Gotham Steel brand holds up its renowned nonstick reputation.

Pros

Comes with removable divider that makes perfect, uniform brownies. Divider reaches the bottom and has 2 convenient handles for easy removal. Pan is truly nonstick, but the divider should be sprayed. Makes 18 brownie squares. Pan is dishwasher safe.

Cons

Divider should be hand-washed to avoid potential damage.

Boxiki Silicone Brownie Pan
Boxiki
Silicone Brownie Pan
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Easiest to Use

This simplistic silicone brownie pan makes for the easiest, mess-free baking experience.

Easiest to Use
Bottom Line

This simplistic silicone brownie pan makes for the easiest, mess-free baking experience.

Pros

FDA approved, professional grade silicone is safe to use in the oven. The pan is truly nonstick. Brownies pop out with little effort, and the pan is easy to clean. Sturdy metal handles help the silicone hold its shape and makes lifting in and out of oven easy.

Cons

Silicone can be damaged with a knife; use a spatula or dull tool to cut your brownies.

Bakelicious Crispy Corner Brownie Pan
Bakelicious
Crispy Corner Brownie Pan
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Customer Favorite

Everyone will love your personal-sized brownies and you'll love how easy the pan is to clean; our baking expert lauds the design.

Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Everyone will love your personal-sized brownies and you'll love how easy the pan is to clean; our baking expert lauds the design.

Pros

Unique honeycomb shape makes 12 crispy edge brownies. The nonstick pan works well without additional cooking spray. Brownies pop out of pan easily when flipped upside down. Pan is thick and durable.

Cons

Brownies tend to bake faster than suggested cooking times in this pan. Always monitor closely.

Wilton Brownie Bar Pan
Wilton
Brownie Bar Pan
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Simple Yet Solid

This basic brownie pan makes the perfect snack-sized brownie with a crispy outer edge.

Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This basic brownie pan makes the perfect snack-sized brownie with a crispy outer edge.

Pros

Makes the perfect 2" x 2" square brownies. Individual squares make every brownie a popular edge piece. The pan is heavy and durable. Large enough to hold a full standard sized box mix. Easy to clean if you use cooking spray and is safe to put in the dishwasher.

Cons

This pan still requires some cooking spray to be fully nonstick.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
September 03, 2021
30
Models
considered
16
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for Best brownie baking pans

Written by Sian Babish, and fact-checked by Andrea Boudewijn
Updated March 2023

Do you dream of gooey, chocolatey goodness? Of course, you do! Brownies are one of the most divine desserts to grace kitchen tables across America. Since nothing beats warm, oven-fresh brownies, treat yourself to a brownie baking pan to make sure your cravings are always satisfied.

Brownie baking pans are designed to make your favorite recipe more convenient. Many pans are equipped with quick-and-easy extraction features, such as nonstick coatings or flexible silicone parts. Some pans take it to the next level and even include special racks or removable separators to achieve uniform, precise brownies, which is especially important if you want to make sure everyone gets the same size brownie. Convenience doesn’t stop there, though. These pans are some of the easiest to clean, and some are dishwasher safe.

With a few essential brownie baking tips, your next batch will be as delicious as can be.

Content Image
Fresh ingredients are the key to successful baking, especially when it comes to brownies. If you haven’t used your dry ingredients in a while, purchase new ones to avoid ending up with stale-tasting brownies.

Key considerations

Types of pans

Traditional: The most common styles of brownie baking pan are square and rectangular. These don’t have any dividers or special features other than lips or handles on certain models. They’re ideal if you just want to pour the batter into the pan and pop it into the oven with little fuss and limited preparation.

Molded: Molded pans feature individual cavities instead of a single large one. These require a bit of accuracy and precision when adding batter to avoid spills, though they save time on the back end since you won’t have to cut the brownies into servings. These pans most often have square or rectangular cavities, though some molded pans have fun shapes, particularly those pans than can also be used as cake molds.

Removal features

Nonstick: These brownie baking pans feature a nonstick coating that helps brownies slide out after baking. It also helps with cleanup because it’s much easier to remove stuck-on food from the surface. If you’re looking for budget-friendly options for easy removal, this is by far the least expensive.

Pop-out: Pop-out brownie baking pans are made with food-grade silicone. Since they’re flexible, it’s easy to push or pop the brownies out of the pan. There are some aluminum pans that feature silicone bottoms, offering you the best of both worlds.

Removable grid: These baking pans include a grid that fits inside the main pan. They resemble old-fashioned metal ice cube trays. Simply pour the batter into the grid and bake. Once your brownies are done, you pull out the grid and voilà! You have presliced brownies.

Dividers: These pans are similar to those with a removable grid, but the dividers are part of the pan. They're similar to muffin pans only square instead of round. These are designed so that it’s easy to dislodge individual brownies. And like muffin pans, you have to go over several nooks and crannies to thoroughly clean these brownie pans.

Expert Tip
To help easily release the brownies from the pan, consider cutting a piece of parchment paper and placing it in the bottom before pouring your batter in.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Sizes

Most brownie baking pans are square or rectangular. Most are 2 inches deep, although some are 3 inches deep.

8 x 8 inches: This is the most common size for square brownie baking pans.

8 x 12 inches: These are the smallest rectangular pans.

9 x 14 inches: There are larger rectangular pans available, too.

11 x 16 inches: Note that larger pans might not fit in all ovens, particularly toaster ovens.

Temperature range

The average brownie baking pan can handle temperatures between 350°F and 500°F. Only some pans are safe for use in a broiler, so definitely check the packaging if you intended to use the pan that way for other baking.

Some pans are freezer-safe, and can handle temperatures as low as 0°F. Pans that aren’t designed for freezer use are generally fine to be refrigerated.  

Expert Tip
Use cookie cutters to cut finished brownies into special shapes like hearts for Valentine’s Day, pumpkins for Halloween, and stars for the winter holidays.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Brownie pan features

Food safety

Quality brownie baking pans incorporate elements of food safety engineering into their design. Be on the lookout for ones that are nontoxic, lead-free, and chip-free, especially for porcelain and aluminum pans. When it comes to silicone, opt for BPA-free pans.

Materials

Aluminum: Aluminum pans have the longest lifespan when they’re well cared for, and they are definitely designed to handle frequent baking. They come in the greatest variety of sizes and tend to be the least expensive.

Poor-quality aluminum pans can warp after time, and once the nonstick coating begins to deteriorate, it’s nearly impossible to completely remove caked-on food. These pans are rarely, if ever, dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to wash them by hand.

Silicone: Silicone pans are lightweight, flexible, and naturally nonstick. They’re available at all price points and often packaged as value sets. These pans don’t stain easily, and they are the easiest to clean.

Silicone pans are flexible, so you’ll need to place them on a baking sheet inside the oven to avoid spills. They definitely have a shelf life, too. After a couple dozen uses, you’ll notice food gets permanently stuck on the pan.

Porcelain: Porcelain pans are great heat conductors and last for decades if they’re properly maintained. They’re also pretty heavy-duty, so you can use them for a variety of other cooking and baking tasks.

Porcelain pans can crack and chip, which means food ends up getting stuck to exposed areas. Not all of these pans are dishwasher safe, and harsh soaps and sponges can damage them.

Expert Tip
If baking from scratch, try Black Onyx Cocoa in your recipe for an extra dark, almost black, look.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Accessories

Cooling rack: Wilton Perfect Results Cooling Rack
It’s a good idea to leave brownies on a cooling rack for approximately 30 minutes before cutting them. We like this three-tiered rack from Wilton, which has enough room for three 8- by 8-inch pans, optimizing your counter space.

Powder shaker:  SENHAI Powder Shakers
Powdered sugar is an elegant finishing touch for brownies, especially when it’s applied in a fun design. We like this set of two shakers that comes with 16 stencils to create designs for every occasion and holiday. Made from professional-grade stainless steel, this set is easy to clean and will last through years of brownie baking.

Cocoa powder: Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Organic Cocoa PowderIf you’re baking brownies from scratch, you need quality cocoa powder. We like this one from Whole Foods, which is sourced from fair trade cocoa beans and is certified organic, kosher, and vegan. You’ll enjoy the all-natural flavor of this cocoa in your favorite recipe.

Expert Tip
Many recipes for brownies call for vegetable oil. Try swapping in coconut oil for a coconut-chocolate taste that’s out of this world.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Brownie baking pan prices

Brownie pans cost between $3 and $40, depending mostly on the quality of the materials and ease of extracting the brownies.

Inexpensive

Wallet-friendly brownie pans cost less than $10 and include basic square or rectangular silicone and aluminum molds. You’ll also find value packs of single-use aluminum pans in this range.

Mid-range

If you bake brownies regularly, invest in a baking pan that costs between $10 and $25. These pans are made with a high-quality nonstick finish, and many are manufactured by leading bakeware brands. This bracket also includes pans with easy-removal features.

Expensive

For professional-grade bakeware that can be used for more than just brownies, you can expect to spend closer to $40. The nonstick coating on these pans is superior. There are also high-quality porcelain and glass pans in this category.

Tips

  • Practice with your new pan. Every time you use new bakeware or kitchen utensils, there is a learning curve. Don’t be discouraged if your first time using the brownie baking pan isn’t a roaring success. Keep baking and you’ll get used to it.
  • Buy a brownie bites pan for little nibblers. If you’d like to treat the kids to tiny brownies, use a brownie bite pan. It’s ideal for moderation, and it makes the batch last a little bit longer.
  • Let the brownies cool before adding cold garnishes. Warm brownies will melt ice cream, whipped cream, and icing. If you want these garnishes to retain their integrity, wait for the brownies to cool at least 30 minutes before plopping them on top.
  • Remove brownies with silicone or wood utensils. This will help avoid scratching or damaging your pans.
Content Image
To avoid puncturing the bottom of single-use aluminum baking pans, double them up during transport.

FAQ

Q. How should I store my freshly baked brownies?

A. Brownies are best kept covered in a sealed container at room temperature. If that’s not an option, you can keep them in the refrigerator, but they could get a bit hard and crumbly around the edges. Glass containers with tightly fitting plastic lids are ideal for brownies if you’re keeping them in the refrigerator. Aluminum foil, single-use aluminum pans, and plastic wrap are easily punctured.

Q. How do I keep from scratching my aluminum brownie baking pan?

A. When it comes to cleaning, stick to non-scratch sponges and gentle dish soap. As far as storage goes, you can cover it with a tea towel if you have to stack it on top of other pans. Another option is to invest in an upright pan organizer for your cabinet. It will provide ample space between pans to prevent surface scratches.

Q. Are there healthy twists on traditional brownie recipes?

A. Yes, and plenty of them. For a simple approach, you can choose substitutions for certain ingredients, like eggs, butter, and milk, though you might need to make some other adjustments to make sure the recipe stays on track. There are also keto-friendly, paleo, vegan, and gluten-free recipes out there. One of the most popular high-protein brownie recipes includes adding black beans and avocado to the mix.

Q. How many brownie pans should I buy?

A. If you rarely bake brownies, one pan should do the job. If you bake often and think you’ll use the pan for other recipes, you might want to buy two to four at a time. In this case, you might be better off buying smaller pans, like 8- by 8-inch ones, because you can fit four at a time in most ovens.

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