Mastering silicone molds: new baking rules. How to remove a finished cake from the mold

05.09.2019 Bakery products

Easy to store, easy to wash, easy to take out finished products, no need to worry about burning - silicone molds meet all these requirements. An additional advantage is the relatively low price when compared with ceramics. However, this material also has disadvantages, which can be avoided only with the right choice and use.

How to use a silicone baking dish

The convenience of this material won over almost all housewives: silicone products can be stored very compactly, folded several times - this does not deform them. They are also easy to wash, you do not need to scrape anything. You can remove food without any problems simply by turning the “dishes” inside out, even if it is a fragile cake. Baking in a silicone mold cooks faster than in a metal one: for comparison, a tall biscuit with a diameter of 25 cm is baked in 40 minutes versus the usual hour. However, you need to use such kitchen utensils wisely - only then will it be able to serve for several (up to 5) years.

Basic rules:

Immediately after purchase, you need to clean the silicone mold well using a soft sponge and detergent: you need to get rid of the chemical composition on its surface.
After each use, the inside and outside are passed with paper towels or rinsed with clean water.
Never try to clean silicone with hard brushes - this will break the structure of the wall coating.
Removing baked goods from the baking dish is easy: pull on the edges, press lightly on the bottom to push the food out. Some large pies need to be helped with a spatula, but it should be wooden or silicone as well. No metal!
Do not expose the silicone to an open flame.
Do not store such utensils near sharp-edged objects - holes and scratches on the silicone appear quickly.

Do I need to grease before baking

This material is very convenient for its non-stick feature, so you can bake in it completely without fats, which is ideal for diet recipes. However, at the first use, the mold must be oiled in order to "activate" this property. Further, if the material is of high quality, it will perfectly maintain this state itself. The dough can stick to cheap silicone, which will require cooking with fats every time.

There are a couple of nuances here:

Lubricate preferably with odorless vegetable oil - you should not use butter.
If you decide to clean your silicone molds using the dishwasher or use detergent, you will need to oil the inside of the molds again before baking anything again.

What to put in the oven

The fact that this material is very soft causes some difficulties when working with it. Housewives do not immediately understand how to put a silicone mold in the oven, and therefore use it in the same way as a metal one. This is not worth doing: for every silicone dish you need a mandatory stand: a similar shape made of glass or ceramics, or a tray. This requirement is due to the ease of deformation of the bottom when placed on the grid. Additionally, there are a few more subtleties:

If you are baking a tall biscuit, pudding, or muffin, the heaviness of the large amount of dough can cause the pan to tilt and tip over. Place it in a deep skillet, saucepan, etc. that are the same diameter.
Fill the molds after they are placed on the stand, not until then.
Please note that in a gas oven, the silicone product should not come into contact with the walls and open fire, so that melting does not occur.

How to bake in a silicone mold in the oven

Cooking with such molds is no more difficult than with ceramic, glass or steel. Choose a suitable design - and you don't even have to come up with a decoration for a quick biscuit. Follow the basic rules given above, pour the dough, send it to the oven, microwave oven or multicooker. Silicone baking pans are versatile and easy to use, especially when you consider the professional advice:

Before cooking in a mold, rinse it and wipe it dry: it accumulates dust and static well wherever it is.
Due to the high thermal conductivity of silicone, dishes are baked very well, so the optimal temperature will have to be selected again - it may be lower than usual.
If this is your first time using a silicone mold, watch the dish carefully: you will not have to cook as long as you are used to - the time will be reduced by about 15-20%.
Check the manufacturer's data on the packaging: he can indicate at what temperatures a specific utensil should be used, and where.
Cool the baked goods before taking them out.

Is silicone harmful for baking

So many controversies regarding the safety of material that comes into contact with food have not been seen by steel, ceramics, teflon or glass. They talk about the harm of silicone for baking without stopping, each time putting forward new facts and hypotheses. However, where is the truth, and where is only an attempt to find a non-existent danger? Specialists in the field of chemistry confirm that such products can negatively affect the body, but only if they are chosen and used incorrectly:

Trying to save money, some manufacturers are launching into the market of goods forms made of "technical" silicone: a cheap material, often supplemented with low-quality dyes. As soon as they begin to heat up, harmful substances are released, which, together with the food inside the form, enter the human body.
Medical or "food grade" silicone does not pose such a hazard, no matter what temperature exposure is. It is suitable both for recipes for children's baked goods and for preparing food for a sensitive body - no harmful substances are released into the environment. However, in terms of safety, it still cannot be compared with ceramics or glass.

How to choose a silicone baking dish

The hostess, who decided to diversify her culinary set, but did not at all familiarize herself with the approximate characteristics of the "new kitchen inhabitants", will mainly make her choice according to external data. However, experts advise purchasing silicone baking tins not only based on the overall attractiveness or matching sizes and volumes, but also taking into account some more important points:

It was specified above that the safety silicone product is made of medical grade material. This should not be proved by the manufacturer's words on the label, but by the presence of a quality certificate. Its number is put down in the "composition" column, and the seller, upon request, must hand over the paper to the consumer for review and authentication.
The easiest way to determine the quality of a silicone mold is to listen to the scent emanating from it. The strong smell of rubber, plastic and other corrosive chemicals should alert you and dissuade you from buying.
If you purchased an odorless mold, but an unpleasant aroma went out when heated, do not send it to the oven anymore: use it to cool desserts or freeze ice.
An additional quality assurance method that gives a relatively reliable result: try bending the product before purchasing. No white trace should appear at the fold.
If, after conducting basic tests, you still have doubts, lean towards buying a product of a neutral (light) shade: acid colors are obtained due to caustic dyes that are harmful to the body.
The country of origin does not play a role, today both Belarus and the United States offer a good choice, but ordering a whole heap from Aliexpress, where no one guarantees high-quality silicone, is not recommended.

For cupcakes

There are several varieties of such a product, depending on what the cook will bake:

A large muffin tin can be used for a cake if it looks like an inverted bucket, or for a tall, ring-shaped biscuit if there is a core in the center. It is predominantly trapezoidal, the lower diameter (bottom) is in the range of 10-17 cm. The price ranges from 150 to 900 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and size. You can buy good products of this type from Mayer & Bosh, Tescoma.
Small molds are designed for cupcakes and muffins, have a flat bottom and the same smooth or corrugated walls, the diameter ranges from 5 to 8 cm. Height - up to 9 cm. The capacity mostly does not exceed 150 ml. The most inexpensive is a set of 3 pieces. from Mayer & Bosh for 160 rubles, or Horse (Russia) - for 215 rubles.

A muffin pan can look like a sheet with several (often even numbers) cells that have a round base. This option is convenient because the pastry will not turn over, because all elements are in a bundle. However, some housewives like single small products more - this can be economically more profitable, because you can buy any quantity, not 6, 8 or 12 pieces.

For cakes

There are 2 options here: some housewives prefer to use curly molds in the form of a heart, a star, a fish, etc. They are handy for small biscuit cakes that are cut and harvested after the base has cooled. For mousse desserts, professionals advise split options - such a silicone cake mold is completely identical to the metal one in appearance, but more convenient to use. The most successful options in these categories:

Among the detachable ones, Lurch (from 1499 rubles) and Bradex (from 690 rubles) deserve attention. The price may vary depending on the size and the presence / absence of an additional non-stick layer.
Among the curly ones, Tescoma is in the lead, offering large beautiful products from 830 rubles, and Pyrex, which is in the same price range. In terms of quality, they are also on the same level.

For cookies

Making products from thin dough in such kitchen utensils is not practiced for reasons of speed, because there are no special problems with baking them on a metal baking sheet. Silicone cookie cutters are mainly used with recipes that do not require rolling, i.e. for lush treats. The same famous "madelens" can only be made in special shell-shaped molds. Often, chefs prefer to use such dishes for curly gingerbread. Outwardly, it looks like cupcake baskets - also in the form of a sheet with several cells (6-12).

You can find interesting options at:

Silikomart. The manufacturer also offers beautiful stamps that can be used not only to make thin cookies, but also chocolate decor, as in the photo of two-layer store cookies. Cost - from 1190 rubles.
Best Home Kitchen. In addition to standard molds, you can find stamps with patterns at a budget price - from 130 rubles.

For baking bread

This design is a long rectangle that has the smallest difference between the bottom and top perimeter. The silicone container for bread has absolutely flat sides and bottom, although there are varieties with slight corrugation. Such dishes are offered by the following manufacturers:

Mayer & Bosh - from 230 rubles;
Oursson - from 840 rubles;
Fissman - from 490 p.

There are also options for small (up to 20 cm in length) baguettes, mainly with a sheet of 4-9 pcs. - these are offered by the Spanish brand Lekue. You can also order bun molds (hemisphere) from him. The price of the issue is from 1850 to 2550 rubles. In the (official) online store, experts advise looking at portioned muffin baking tins: the quality of Lekue silicone products justifies the high price.

Rating of silicone bakeware

If you understand what delicacies you want to cook, but are still lost in the variety of brands and prices, you cannot decide which production is better - the USA or Austria, check out this rating of the best manufacturing companies:

Marmiton. The brand's products are manufactured in China, but the products have a good price-performance ratio. Beautiful and comfortable curly silicone molds can be found in Moscow stores at prices ranging from 110 to 700 rubles.
Atlantis. Little known but worthy Chinese brand. Molds can be heated up to 240 degrees. A characteristic difference is the bright colors of all products. Price - from 460 rubles.
Tescoma. A well-known Czech company that offers a variety of silicone molds, even for pizzas and pies. The temperature maximum is 230 degrees. Cost - from 350 rubles.
Oursson. This Swiss brand has a large number of sheets with molds for cookies and chocolates at a reasonable price: from 300 rubles.
Fissman. The Danish manufacturer offers a wide range of beautiful molds for curly small cupcakes and children's casseroles. Cost - from 400 rubles.
Lekue. Made in Spain, high pricing, but also excellent quality silicone. This brand is the only one to offer interesting shapes for baguettes, rolls and breads. The price of the issue is from 1700 rubles.
Regent. The brand is presumably from Italy, but production takes place in China. It cannot boast of a wide assortment, but there is plenty to choose from. There are even molds for pasta dishes (cannelloni, lasagna, etc.). Cost - from 300 rubles.
Taller. Mainly offers molds for muffins, bread, biscuits: simple designs, low price - from 300 rubles.
Silikomart. Photos of the products of this mid-price Italian company attract with their beautiful design: if you bake even the simplest sponge cake in them, it will already look festive. The disadvantage is not a small price: find an option cheaper than 1200 rubles. will fail.
De Buyer. The last place is due to the high cost of products - from 4600 rubles. per sheet for 6-9 items. But there is no need to question the French quality: such a silicone has a long service life.

Video

The soft and at the same time quite durable material silicone is great for creating dishes and other kitchen utensils that housewives can use every day. Silicone bakeware has become especially popular. But the problem is that not everyone knows how to use the silicone mold.

Silicone bakeware is very easy and convenient to use... Yes, they have their drawbacks over the traditional rigid forms. But there are also a lot of advantages in silicone molds. But first, let's talk about the material itself, silicone, and why it has become so popular.

Many people do not want to use silicone baking dishes because they think they are hazardous to their health. But in fact this is not so, because for the manufacture of kitchen utensils they use silicone that does not contain harmful substances... A similar silicone is used in medicine for the production of implants. But still, it is better to buy products from good companies that use platinum as a catalyst in the production of silicone, and not other chemical reagents. Basically, silicone is an inert material, therefore, when heated, it does not emit various harmful substances.

Silicone is used not only for the manufacture of baking dishes, but also for other kitchen utensils.... Spatulas, brushes, hooks and dish coasters are made of it. Silicone molds can withstand temperatures from -40 ° C to + 240 ° C. Therefore, they are ideal not only for baking cakes or muffins, but also for freezing ice in them.

Let's tell you more, how to use a silicone baking dish... Soft silicone molds will last 5 years, provided you use them correctly. Since silicone is a very soft material, you can fold your mold so that it doesn't take up much cabinet space. Don't worry, the shape will not deform, but will immediately return to its original form the next time you take it out.

Many housewives are interested in the question of whether to lubricate the silicone mold with oil before baking the dough? The baking dish only needs to be greased once before the very first preparation of the dough in it. Remember to pre-wash your mold with a mild detergent to remove process dust from it. In the future, you will no longer need to grease the baking dish.

Silicone molds can be used both in electric and gas ovens... In both cases, do not let the edges of the mold come into contact with the walls of the oven. If you are baking your food in a gas oven, do not place the pan close to the flame to avoid damaging it. Silicone molds must not be used for cooking food on gas or electric hobs.

There are also some secrets on how to bake in a silicone mold. Dough in silicone molds bakes much fasterthan classic metal ones. Therefore, you will need to shorten the baking time. When your baked goods are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly right in the mold. After 5 minutes, you can take your baked goods out of the mold.

It is very easy to take out baked goods, for this it is enough tilt the shape to the side... The finished dough will fall out of the mold by itself without the slightest effort on your part. If the pastries cannot be removed, they can be picked up from the side with a special silicone or wooden spatula. Never use a knife or other metal objects unless you want to ruin your silicone mold. It is very easy to wash the soft silicone mold, because nothing burns in it. Only use mild detergents to clean the silicone mold. The use of any abrasive products is unacceptable.

As you can see, there are many advantages to using silicone molds. But it's also worth remembering that forms have their drawbacks. Silicone molds are very soft, so the raw dough is poured into them when the mold is already on the baking sheet. The filled baking dish is moved on a baking sheet, wire rack or microwave rack.

Today, silicone baking dishes are widely used. And this is not surprising, because they have many advantages for home and even industrial use. They are made of food grade silicone, which can withstand high temperatures and does not emit any substances harmful to human health. And nothing burns. But some housewives still do not know how to approach these forms. Let's figure it out!

What can you use silicone molds for?

As a rule, silicone molds can be used in gas and electric ovens, sometimes in microwave ovens, but this must be indicated by a special mark on the packaging. They can also be sent to the freezer and dishwasher.

In silicone molds, you can not only bake pastries, but also prepare cold desserts and dishes with gelatin. We should also mention mousse cakes. Some recipes cannot be completed without a special silicone mold.

Do I need to lubricate the mold with oil

Before the first use, any silicone molds must be rinsed with warm water to wash off the process dust. It is generally recommended to lubricate silicone molds with oil only the first time they are used, but some manufacturers recommend this always.

What temperature to set

Pay attention to the maximum permissible baking temperature, it should be indicated on the package. Sometimes these can be quite high temperatures, for example, 240-260 degrees, but if there is no such marker, then it is better not to exceed the temperature of 200 degrees in order to avoid deformation of the forms. In addition, do not allow direct contact with the fire source and hotplate, oven walls, and avoid using the "grill" mode. This will help maintain the perfect silicone surface for a long time.

How to apply the dough to the mold

There are also peculiarities in filling silicone molds. This is due to the fact that they are very flexible and when transferring the filled form, the dough can flow out. Therefore, before filling, the form should be placed on a wire rack or baking sheet, filled with dough and transferred to the oven with the wire rack. Sometimes silicone molds are sold with special metal frames, which are designed so that when the dough increases in volume, the mold does not lose its original appearance. Do not place empty molds in a hot oven, as this can also deform the surface.

How to remove baked goods from a silicone mold

Once the cake or muffins are ready, it is very easy to remove them from the silicone molds, as nothing sticks to them. Depending on the recipe, the hot or cold product is removed by turning the mold over or tilting it to the side. You can press lightly on the bottom, thereby helping the cake out of the mold. If, nevertheless, the products are slightly stuck, then they need to be removed by holding a silicone, plastic or wooden spatula between the walls and the cake. No need to use knives or other metal objects to avoid damaging the smooth surface. If the surface becomes scratched, there is a good chance that the baked goods will start to stick.

How to clean and store silicone molds

Silicone molds can be washed very easily with warm water, a sponge and a mild dishwashing detergent. Do not use any harsh chemicals to avoid provoking unexpected chemical reactions. Do not scrub silicone molds with metal brushes or brushes. If a piece of dough stuck somewhere, just soak the mold for a while in plain water and detergent, all dirt will easily go away.

You can store the molds in any kitchen cabinet or pantry, they perfectly tolerate temperature changes and do not deform. In addition, shapes can be folded and folded to save space, and will return to their original appearance as soon as you unfold them again.

This tale is as old as the world. Each coin has two sides. So it is with the most famous baking dishes. Home cooking enthusiasts have no better shape than Bundt. Because only with its help can you create epic beauty cupcakes. Cupcakes to celebrate, cupcakes to be told by word of mouth from generation to generation.
But anyone who has seen the bandt uniform not only in the picture, but held it in his hands, knows: this is a complex structure with a lot of bends. Where there is a bend, there is difficulty. The more sophisticated, and therefore more beautiful, the cake pan, the more difficult it will be to remove it after it is cooked.

Cupcake "Hut in the winter forest". Baked in a Nordic Ware shape

We have two tricks in our arsenal that will allow you to take out a cupcake, no matter how complex in shape, without difficulty.
We will need a liquid paste, which we will cover the mold with before starting the oven. Try this method and you will use it every time you are thinking of baking something!
Choose a pasta recipe based on the type of cupcake you are baking. If your muffin contains chocolate, choose a cocoa-based paste. If it is a "white cake", that is, one in which there are no cocoa components, grease the form with a flour-based paste.

A simple yet important recipe

We need to mix cocoa powder and butter, or flour and butter in a 2: 1 ratio. More oil, less dry component. The butter must be pre-melted.
With the mixture, you will need to smear the entire shape, especially carefully its bends. It is important to ensure that the layer lies flat and that there are no air bubbles in it. Then you need to remove the form for half an hour in the refrigerator.
After that, you take out the pan and fill it with cake dough and immediately send it to the already preheated oven.
After the allotted time, the cake will be removed from the mold easily. Try it and you will never trade this secret for any other ingenious culinary knowledge.

The cake will definitely stick to the pan unless you use a high-fat recipe or lay out the baking sheet with paper ahead of time. A little patience and quick wits can help you solve this problem, but there are other ways to make the pie as well.

Steps

Raise the pie

Use a rounded knife to separate the cake from the baking pan. Take a palette knife if you have one, or replace it with a thin butter knife. Place the knife vertically between the rim of the cake and the baking sheet, then press down firmly. Move the knife gradually along the circumference of the cake to separate the edges from the cake. Do this as close to the edge as possible so that as little of the pie remains on the baking sheet as possible.

You should try other methods first if the cake is timed to a special occasion, as this leads to minor damage to it.
If the cake is burnt around the edges, use a sawing motion to separate it so that you can easily reach it later. You may need to walk around the edges four or five times.

Separate the bottom of the cake with a flexible silicone spatula. Press the spatula against the edge of the mold just as you did with the knife. But this time, push the shoulder blade deeper as you move in a circle. This should be enough to separate the bottom of the cake from the pan.
- Do not try to pull the cake out by force if it is firmly attached. Use one of the following methods.
- You can use a pizza spatula instead of a silicone one. Rinse it off with hot water first, as the heat and moisture help to separate the cake better.
Shake the pie out onto a serving platter. Place a large plate on top of the cake. Hold them tightly together and gently turn them upside down. Shake slightly to release the cake.
- You can also flip it over onto the wire rack. Use something to collect the crumbs.
- If you have damaged the pie, skip to the section of the article that describes the process of restoring it.
Tap the bottom of the baking sheet. Tap the base to separate the cake. Hold the cake directly over the plate and at a 45% angle. If that doesn't work, turn the baking sheet over and hit it against the countertop.

Leave the cake upside down for a while. If the cake doesn’t lend itself, after the mold has cooled down, you can do it. Flip the dish over and cross your fingers.

Spin the pie or use a spatula as a lever (not recommended). In most cases, you should try one of the methods listed below. If you don't have the time or opportunity, you can get the cake out with force. Please note that this usually results in damage to the product.
- Hold the pie with your hands or a spatula while bending the shape.
- and / or Pry the cake with a rounded knife. This time, you need to hold the knife at an angle towards the center of the cake to separate the base.
Apply heat, steam or cold
1. Pour hot water into a deep dish. The tray should be wide enough to accommodate your baking pan. Cover the bottom with 6 mm of hot tap water.
  - If you don't have a container this size, soak a tea towel in hot water and wrap it around the base of the baking sheet.
2. Place the cake pan in a container of water. The heat will expand the metal pan slightly, allowing it to move away from the edges of the cake. To do this, leave the baking sheet in water for a few minutes. Try to get the cake using the above methods.
  
  Try steaming the cake. The steam humidifies the air and "lifts" your cake, which helps to reach it. Boil water in a small saucepan or kettle and then pour into a mug. Place your mug and pie tin in the microwave, cupboard, or other enclosed space. Leave it there for a few minutes and then try to get the cake out again.
  - The microwave oven has a suitable volume to hold the steam. Do not turn it on while doing this.
3. Place ice on a cake tin. Turn the baking sheet upside down and cover the pie. Place a bowl of ice on the base of the mold and let it sit for a few minutes. Then try to get the cake using the methods described earlier.
  
  Freeze the pie. Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature for an hour. Freeze it for six hours. This will reduce the chance of breaking the cake and also make it easier to remove from the baking sheet. Run your butter knife along the circumference of the pie to separate the edges from the baking pan, even if you've done so before freezing. Turn the mold upside down and tap on the base to achieve the desired result.
How to fix a spoiled pie
1. Cover small damaged areas with glaze. Take the frosting and spread it over the surface of the cake. The mixture will fill in all holes and smooth out uneven edges.
  - Liquid icing sugar is very fluid, so the layer will be too thin and will not cover all the imperfections.
2. Glue all the pie pieces together with the icing. To recreate a completely destroyed cake, you need a very sticky frosting that can glue all the pieces together. You can use caramel icing, dulce de leche, or try this recipe:
  - Mix 1 cup of condensed milk, 3 teaspoons (15 ml) cocoa powder, and 2 teaspoons (10 ml) butter.
  - Cook the ingredients over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stop the process when the consistency becomes thick and sticky.
  - Let the glaze cool to room temperature; it will thicken even more after standing for a while.
  - Assemble the pie pieces into a shape as close to ideal as possible. Cover the surface and all joints with a generous layer of glaze.
Run a palette knife under a cookie or biscuit stuck to the baking sheet. If that doesn't work, put the mold back in the oven for 30-120 seconds and try again after a while.