Want to try using parchment paper in your baking but don't want to invest in a roll or a double roll from a big box store?
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Dollar Tree to the rescue! (This post is not sponsored by Dollar Tree)
I grabbed a package of their parchment paper to try when I ran out of my Sam's Club rolls and was pleasantly surprised with the quality so I thought I better share with you dear reader.
Does Baking on Parchment Make a Difference?
Yes, it does.
Parchment paper helps your cookies and other baked goods cook evenly by providing a layer of protection between hot pans and your pastrie.
This inexpensive kitchen supply prevents your baked goods from sticking to pans, which helps you prevent food waste and save time on cleanup.
Parchment paper protects your baking sheets and pans.
An alternative is reusable silicone mats, but I’m not a fan.
For one, silicone mats absorb the flavors of whatever you're using it with. For example gingersnaps leave the flavor of spiciness on the mat.
Silicone mats also lead to cookie spread, in my opinion.
I am #TeamParchment all the way.
I usually save money by buying large rolls of parchment paper at Sam’s Club.
However, if you don’t have a Sam’s Club membership, don’t worry—you can find parchment paper pretty much anywhere. Amazon, grocery stores, Walgreens, and even Michael’s carry it.
But here’s a fun discovery: Dollar Tree sells decent parchment paper too!
Pro Tip: No matter where you buy your parchment paper, you should be reusing it--especially if you're just using a piece for your cookie sheet. I use the same piece over and over and over. Then I turn it over and use the other side. Once the parchment starts to turn light brown---you know like a 5th grade project to dye a piece of paper using tea. Then you throw it out.
The Dollar Tree Parchment Paper Surprise
One day, while picking up Easter candy for a photo shoot, I stumbled upon pre-cut parchment sheets at Dollar Tree—25 sheets for just $1.25.
My friends, that is a steal.
Are the sheets a bit smaller than I’d prefer? Sure.
But I use half-sheet pans for baking, and if you need a bigger sheet, just overlap two.
Problem solved!
What Parchment Paper Actually Does
I once heard someone complain about a brand of parchment paper on Amazon, saying it left grease stains after baking cookies.
But guess what? That’s exactly what parchment is supposed to do—soak up excess grease and prevent your cookies from sitting in a pool of oil.
3 Reasons You Need Parchment Paper:
• It saves on cleanup. No scrubbing baked-on messes off your pans.
• It protects your baking sheets. Pans aren’t cheap—parchment helps them last longer.
• It prevents cookies from sticking. If you’ve ever had a batch of cookies stubbornly cling to your pan, you know the struggle.
I get it—maybe you’ve never used parchment before.
Maybe you think it’s a waste of money.
Maybe your grandma never used it (mine didn’t, unless she was making something super sticky like lace Florentines).
But trust me—your cookies, your pans, and your sanity will thank you.
Cookie Baking Advice
You may find these baking posts helpful, from How to Freeze Cookie Dough, Room Temperature Butter for Baking to Salted or Unsalted Butter for Cookies? to Do I Need A Cookie Scoop?, Cookie Size Chart to What Should a Beginner Bake? to Where Can I Buy Sprinkles?, Why is my sugar cookie dough too sticky? and Cookie Holidays. What is Sanding Sugar and Do I need Parchment Paper? might also be helpful.
Spritz Cookies: The One Exception to Baking on Parchment Paper
Don't use parchment paper or even silicone mats if you're baking spritz cookies--you know the delicate little butter cookies that you use a cookie press to bake.
For some reason, the cookie press doesn't work right with parchment paper.
You need a firm, paperless, cookie sheet to properly eject spritz cookies.
Final Thoughts
For just $1.25 at Dollar Tree, you can try it out and see the difference for yourself.
And no, this isn’t a sponsored post. I’m not getting a commission from Dollar Tree—I just love parchment paper, and I think you should too.
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