Do I need to grease my silicone mold before baking?

A silicone baking pan is a convenient dish in which you can prepare various delicacies: cupcakes, muffins, pies, cookies, bread, cake layers, rolls, casseroles and other confectionery products. Its important advantages are ideal thermal conductivity and non-stick coating. Silicone, like other materials, has its disadvantages, but they can be avoided if you use the container wisely. There are a couple of important points that worry many housewives: whether it is necessary to lubricate the silicone mold, and what is the best way to do this.

Silicone mold: instruction manual

Plastic and silicone kitchen utensils have become a part of our lives. It is difficult to imagine everyday reality without disposable tableware, all kinds of spatulas and baking brushes. But the undisputed leaders in this “rating” still remain baking dishes. Can they be harmful to health, and how to use a silicone baking dish in the oven? Let's try to figure it out.

A silicone mold offers a variety of baking possibilities for the housewife.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's start with the advantages. It turns out there are a lot of them:

• The bright and varied colors of silicone molds make the cooking process creative and entertaining. You invariably have a desire to fantasize and create culinary masterpieces. Agree, with this attitude, the most ordinary charlotte will turn into an exquisite dessert!
• The molds heat up very quickly and evenly. They can easily withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees. And cool to room temperature in just 3 minutes.
• They can be washed in the dishwasher and even left in the refrigerator.
• No baked goods in such forms burn, and there is no need to grease the mold.
• Probably every housewife is familiar with the situation when the finished pie (or cake) cannot be removed from the mold. As a result, a hopelessly spoiled dessert has to be masked with improvised roses or pieces of fruit. So, if you have a silicone mold in your arsenal, this problem will not occur to you. Even without using a knife or spatula, you can “free” the cake from the silicone “captivity” with a “light movement of your hand.”
• The smooth surface of the mold, complete absence of porosity, will not allow the absorption of foreign odors or the emergence and development of unnecessary microorganisms.
• Your dessert will cook faster than in a metal or ceramic form, so it is recommended to check the degree of readiness 5-10 minutes earlier than you usually do.
• Silicone molds are suitable for more than just baking. You can cook and heat a wide variety of dishes in them, not only in the oven, but also in the microwave.
• You will need a minimum of space to store such dishes, because the shapes can be bent and folded in any way you want. They will not lose their volume and will not deteriorate from this.

Cooking time is significantly reduced, and fancy molds give room for imagination in cooking.
Now a little about the sad things.

• In some cases, it may still be necessary to lubricate the silicone mold with oil. Much depends on the composition of a particular dish.
• The flexibility of the shape sometimes becomes its disadvantage, since in the process of “removing” it from the oven, a tender and crumbly cake can become deformed.
• When choosing a silicone mold, pay attention to its composition. It is better if it is 100% silicone, then the mold will cost a little more, but is guaranteed to protect you from unpleasant odors and will be more durable. Cheaper forms contain impurities, which affects both productivity and quality of baking.
• Sometimes desserts prepared in silicone molds do not have an attractive crispy crust and have shiny sides.
• Although cakes bake faster in silicone pans, extra time is required when using larger pans.
• Since silicone itself accumulates static electricity, dust can be attracted to the surface of the finished baked goods.
• The most serious disadvantage, according to housewives, is that the mold can easily be damaged with a knife or metal spatula.

If the pan is being used for the first time, it is necessary to wash it with warm water and a non-abrasive detergent and then just start using the pan for baking.

User reviews

Lately I've only been using paper forms. They suit me completely. Their variety and low cost are impressive. The molds do not need to be washed, which reduces costs and saves me time and money. I noticed that paper conducts heat faster than metal, so it saves electricity. Marina, 36 years old, Omsk region.

Paper forms are easy to use. In addition, the finished baked goods look beautiful, all thanks to the bright colors. Using a paper base, I am completely confident in its environmental friendliness, which cannot be said about silicone. I always make purchases with a reserve, because we have a lot of family holidays. Irina, 42 years old, Tula

Paper forms are not only cheap, but also practical. I buy them online and only from trusted sites. I prefer the round base with a laminated finish. My family really loves cupcakes in openwork wrappers. It's festive, new and unusual. Yulia, 37 years old, Samara

In paper pans, baked goods bake faster than I expect. My French bread was a success the first time. Even the corners, which sometimes burned in the iron molds, were slightly rosy. I want to bake cupcakes in these forms for the holiday. Veronica, 18 years old, Moscow

How to use a silicone mold

A few simple rules will make using a silicone mold not only durable, but also as convenient and safe as possible.

Silicone molds are completely non-stick in their properties, that is, the dough never sticks to the bottom.

Having made such a practical purchase, immediately wash the mold with a soft sponge and detergent. This simple procedure will get rid of the chemical composition on the surface.

After each use, rinse and wipe dry with paper towels, both outside and inside.

Before use, apply butter to the mold once and do not do this again.

You should not use hard sponges or brushes for such forms, as this will damage the surface. And even if there are no holes “through and through”, the structure of the wall covering will already be damaged.

To remove the cake without deforming it, pull lightly on the edges, then push it out from underneath. If the cake is large, lift it using a wooden or silicone spatula. And no metal “helpers”!

An important advantage of such cookware is its ease of use.

Under no circumstances should you place this form on an open fire. And keep it away from knives, forks and other sharp and cutting objects. Holes appear very quickly and make the silicone mold unsuitable for further use.

The baked goods instantly separate from the mold; you just need to turn it inside out.

Life time

Despite all the advantages of these products, they, like all others, have their own specific service life. If holes, small holes, roughness or unevenness are found on the surface, it is better to replace them, since through defects, harmful substances or dirt can enter the dough first and then into the human body.

The period of use also depends on the operating and storage conditions of silicone containers. Rinse them with water after each use. Do not use hard sponges or brushes for washing, and then the uniform will serve you for many years.

Is it worth greasing the mold?

It has already been said that baked goods in silicone molds do not stick, perhaps only with rare exceptions. But if you wish, you can grease the mold with oil; this will not cause any problems. A sort of “knight’s move” so that the cake certainly does not stick to the mold.

It is necessary to use refined oil, as it is odorless.

It's a different matter if you wash your uniform in the dishwasher. Then, before you put the dough in the mold and put it in the oven, you must grease it.

By the way, the softness of the silicone mold causes some inconvenience. Especially if you decided to bake something in it for the first time. Housewives usually act in the same way as when using a metal or ceramic mold, but this is wrong, because the mold and its contents are easily deformed.

After removing the cake or cake, rinse it with warm water and a sponge.

This means that, having bought a soft form, you should choose a special stand or tray for it of exactly the same shape. A grate will also work. And place both items in the oven at once.

And a few more tips.

• When starting to prepare a tall pie (cake or pudding), keep in mind that the mold may tip over under the weight of the contents, which means it is better to immediately place it in a pan of a suitable circumference and continue the cooking process “in duet”.
• When preparing any dish, it is recommended to fill the mold after it is placed on a tray (stand).
• Please note that in both gas and electric ovens the pan should not come into contact with the walls or open flame.

What to place the product with baked goods in the oven

Silicone is a bendable and pliable material that is subject to deformation upon any contact with the hand. Therefore, you need to bake in them carefully and slowly. If ordinary ceramic or metal options can be simply placed on the oven rack, with silicone ones it is better to refrain from this method. When moving, you can damage the dough, it will fall, in addition, the material heats up and working with it can be a difficult task. That is why the forms with dough are placed in the oven on a glass plate or tray. Besides:

• Fill containers with ingredients only after they have been placed on an appropriate surface suitable for baking;
• do not allow the silicone to come into contact with an open flame or hot oven walls - this can lead to their melting or, even worse, fire;
• If you plan to make a tall cake or sponge cake, keep in mind that when you lift the dough, the edge may bend. To protect yourself from such troubles, place the baked goods in a deep container of suitable diameter.

Cooking in silicone

Now let’s look at the cooking process in this newfangled mold step by step. Let's make a reservation right away: the process is very similar to cooking in metal or ceramic dishes. So, if you have basic baking skills, you will fully master this wisdom. And the variety of shapes will allow you to create a real masterpiece, so you don’t even have to rack your brains over the question: how to decorate the finished dessert?

Such dishes can be stored in a kitchen cabinet; they do not require special storage conditions and do not take up much space on the shelf.

1. Before cooking, wipe down the pan and dry it with a paper towel. The peculiarity of silicone is that it literally attracts dust.
2. Be sure to read the information from the manufacturer of the mold (usually they are indicated on the packaging); it usually indicates under what conditions this item can be used and where exactly.
3. The thermal conductivity of silicone is much higher than that of metal or ceramics, which means that the first time, carefully determine the time required for baking, so as not to overcook the dish. Experienced housewives claim that cooking time is reduced to 15-20%.
4. Cool before removing. This will take very little time.

Unusual meat muffins with cheese

In paper molds you can prepare not only delicious pastries for dessert or for tea, you can also make muffins from minced meat in them.

This dish is an excellent alternative to cutlets and zrazy, and taking into account the fact that they are prepared in paper molds, these cupcakes can be taken with you on a picnic and eaten directly with your hands.

Meat muffins include:

• 600 g minced meat;
• 200 g onions;
• 200 g potatoes;
• 200 g hard cheese;
• 1 chicken egg;
• 50 g mayonnaise;
• 50 g breadcrumbs;
• greens, pepper and salt to taste.

To prepare such an alternative to the usual cutlets, it will take no more time than to fry them (about 1 hour), but no vegetable oil is required at all.

The calorie content of 100 g of meat muffins will be 226 kcal.

Preparation:

1. Wash, peel and boil the potatoes, then mash them into a puree and mix with minced meat. Also add a chicken egg, finely chopped or grated onion to the minced meat. Mix everything well, add salt and pepper to taste and let this meat dough stand for 15 minutes;
2. Grate hard cheese onto a fine grater;
3. Fill paper molds a little less than half full with minced dough, put a teaspoon of grated cheese, which is also covered with minced meat on top;
4. Spread mayonnaise on top of the muffins and sprinkle generously with breadcrumbs;
5. Meat pastries should be baked for about 40 minutes at 200 degrees. Before serving, the muffins can be sprinkled with chopped fresh herbs.

Silicone: harmful or not?

Perhaps this is the most pressing question that concerns every housewife. Convenience is good, aesthetics are simply wonderful, but if there is harm to health, then all of the above advantages are nullified. To be fair, it is worth noting that neither glass nor metal forms have survived so many controversies in their lifetime.

The silicone mold can take on any silhouette, easily folding and turning out.

And the longer we use silicone molds, the more arguments their ardent opponents put forward. At the same time, professional chemists authoritatively state that only incorrectly chosen kitchen utensils can cause harm to health. Of course, today you can find forms of unscrupulous manufacturers who use cheaper raw materials with various impurities and low-quality dyes. Then, during the heating process, an unpleasant “chemical” smell appears, and harmful impurities may end up in the body.

When cooking in the oven, it does not emit unpleasant odors and does not burn.

However, food grade silicone does not pose such a danger. This means that high-quality forms can be used without any fear.

Withstands temperatures from -50 to +250 degrees.

Classic cupcake recipe

A classic of the genre, it is this that is considered the basis for the preparation of all other variations. This recipe for small muffins has been known for centuries. Of course, today's version is significantly different from those that appeared in England many centuries ago, however, the modern interpretation of the recipe has already become a classic.

Components:

• Butter – 200 grams (can be replaced with the same amount of margarine);
• Flour – 1 glass;
• Sugar – 1-1.5 cups;
• Eggs – 4 pieces (if large, then 3 is possible);
• Baking powder – 1 teaspoon;
• Salt - a pinch;

You can use raisins or other berries and dried fruits, or chocolate chips as a filling. Their quantity depends only on your taste preferences.

Let's start cooking:

1. After softening the butter, grind it with sugar until smooth and light. Then add eggs there, without stopping beating. This should be done in portions, adding one at a time and mixing.
2. Then add the dry ingredients one by one. The flour must first be sifted. You can add any of the fillers you choose to the dough obtained in this way, and then mix it thoroughly. If using raisins, pour boiling water over them first and then sprinkle with a little flour. Such manipulations will help it spread throughout the dough without settling at the bottom.
3. The baking temperature should be 180-200 degrees (depending on the oven), and in the meantime we distribute the dough into the molds, which we fill half or 2/3 full.
4. They need to bake for about 20 minutes. Readiness can be checked using the method described above.

How to choose a form

To make the right choice, you just need to use your senses. No matter how naive it may sound, it is thanks to them that danger can be avoided.

For example, smell the uniform before you buy. If it has a strong smell of plastic or rubber, then this is not your option. Refuse without regret, despite the attractive appearance and cost.

In such a dish, the cake should fall away from the bottom on its own without any problems or effort; you just need to pry it off with a spatula on one side.

If there is no smell at room temperature, but you can feel it when heated, use the mold for cold desserts, or for freezing ice, and do not put it in the oven again.

Another simple quality test: fold the shape in half, and then carefully inspect the fold. There should be no white path left.

A huge plus is that washing dishes is very easy, you just need to rinse them.

Silicone gets its bright color thanks to dyes. Therefore, if all of the above tests are passed, but doubts remain, give preference to neutral colors.

A high-quality manufacturer can be found overseas and in the countries of the former CIS. Abroad does not yet mean an unconditional mark of quality. So check the form carefully before purchasing. It is not recommended to order kitchen utensils at ridiculous prices over the Internet. After all, if you can’t simply hold the form in your hands and evaluate it “by smell,” it turns out that you are buying a pig in a poke.

In order to use the mold correctly and without burning in the oven, you must place it on a baking sheet or any other hard, fire-resistant substrate.

Curd joy

Everyone’s favorite cottage cheese muffins can be prepared not only in bulk form, but also by dividing them into small portions. It’s even more convenient, because each cupcake can be decorated separately, making the treat even more appetizing.

Components:

• Flour – 200 grams;
• Cottage cheese – 200 grams;
• Eggs – 2-3 pieces;
• Sugar – 150-200 grams;
• Butter – 150 grams;
• Baking powder – 1 teaspoon;
• Any filler - to taste.

The process of their preparation is not particularly complicated:

1. Beat eggs with sugar into a homogeneous thick mass.
2. Grind the cottage cheese through a sieve. It is advisable to take one that is not very wet and greasy, so the cake will turn out more airy. Then we add it to the egg mixture and mix.
3. Melt the butter and add it to the dough base. Mix.
4. Mix the sifted flour with baking powder and add to the dough, kneading it thoroughly. Spices and fillers are also added at this stage.
5. Now distribute the dough into the molds, leaving 1/3 free. Place them in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

This delicacy can be served either warm or already cooled with sour cream, fruit sauces or powdered sugar.

Popular manufacturers

It is clear that the shape is chosen depending on the future culinary masterpiece. So, baking cakes, muffins or cookies requires your own device.

Two types of molds are used for baking cakes: split or shaped. If you are a supporter of the first option, take a closer look at models from Lurch and Bradex. And among the curly ones, the brands Tescoma and Pyrex have a suitable assortment.

Silicone utensils are convenient for baking in the oven, so now every kitchen has them.

If your family is a fan of all kinds of cupcakes and cookies, then Silikomart products are probably your choice. Thanks to the large assortment, using silicone molds from this brand you can easily bake cupcakes, cookies and even larks – an unusual themed dessert.

The mold for baking bread is perhaps the most common - in the form of a “brick”. The following companies are considered the undisputed leaders in the manufacture of such forms: Mayer&Bosh, Oursson, Fissman. Decent quality at an affordable price is what unites the products of these brands.

The result is delicious and aromatic baked goods, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s an electric oven or a gas oven.

As you can see, silicone molds, like any other kitchen utensils, have their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, each housewife chooses “helpers” according to her own criteria, which means that what one likes may not impress another at all. Focus solely on your own feelings, knowledge and experience. Then the silicone mold will become a reliable friend and help turn the most ordinary dish into a real work of culinary art.

It is necessary to cook at a temperature of 170 to 220 degrees, in which case the material does not deform and does not burn.

Chocolate muffins with curd filling

The magical aroma of chocolate cupcakes, which beckons you to take a small piece, and the pleasant surprise in the form of a delicate curd filling inside will make you forget about all diets.

Perhaps such a dessert is too high in calories for every day, but when you want to have a small celebration, this is just the thing. You can reduce the number of calories in baked goods if you use cottage cheese with 0% fat content.

For the chocolate-curd holiday you will need:

• 2 eggs;
• 200 g sugar;
• 100 ml sunflower oil;
• 200 ml kefir;
• 20 g baking powder;
• 100 g cocoa powder;
• 350 g flour;
• 200 g tender cottage cheese;
• 50 g sour cream;
• 50 g powdered sugar;
• 1 pinch of vanillin.

On average, baking will take up to 1 hour.

Calorie content of baked goods – 303.4 kcal per 100 g.

Algorithm of culinary processes:

1. For the dough, you need to mix the dry and liquid ingredients separately, so in a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder several times;
2. In another bowl, beat eggs with sugar, pour in vegetable oil and kefir, mix everything well;
3. Pour the resulting mixture into the dry ingredients and knead into a thick chocolate dough;
4. For the curd filling, beat the cottage cheese with sour cream and powdered sugar in a blender. If you don’t have such an assistant in the kitchen, you can rub the cottage cheese through a sieve and use a fork to mix it with the rest of the products;
5. Place 1 tablespoon of dough on the bottom of each paper cake pan, 1 teaspoon of filling on top in the center and cover it all on top again with 1-1.5 tablespoons of chocolate dough;
6. The cupcakes should be in the oven for 20 minutes at 200 degrees for the baked goods to bake.