Can I Bake Bread on a Cookie Sheet?
Bread is a wonderful thing to have in your kitchen. It is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile and can be used for so many different dishes. While a traditional loaf pan may be the most common way to bake bread, there are actually some recipes that don’t call for this pan at all! Here are a few of those:
Make Bread on a Cookie Sheet
You can bake bread on a baking sheet (and even on a roasting pan) without the use of a traditional loaf pan. This is especially true if you are looking for a quick and easy method to cook your favorite bread recipe.
When baking bread on a sheet, it is important to ensure that the temperature of the oven is right for the type of bread you are making. This is because bread will be much harder if the temperature is too high.
The best way to know when the bread is done is to test it with a thermometer. Most bread recipes will tell you that the bread is baked when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 190 deg F.
This is the point when gluten begins to coagulate and bind together. It is also the moment that your bread will be firm and no longer raw.
While you can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, a better option is to use an oven thermometer that has an instant read feature. These are usually inexpensive and will give you an accurate reading of the inside temperature.
Using an oven thermometer is recommended because it will ensure that your bread is baking at the correct temperature and does not overbake. It is also a great tool to have on hand for those days when you need to bake something quickly.
Don’t Overbake Your Bread
It is not uncommon for bread to overbake if you don’t check it often enough during the cooking process. Most bread will start to brown around the 20 minute mark, so it is very important to remember to keep an eye on it and not open the oven door too frequently.
Once the bread is ready, it should be removed from the oven and cooled completely on a wire rack. This allows the internal steam to escape and soften the crust.
When the bread is cool, it can be sliced and served hot or cold. It can also be frozen for later use.
If you are going to store your homemade bread, be sure to freeze it for up to 3 months. This will help it last as long as possible and retain its flavor and texture.
How to Shape Bread on a Cookie Sheet
To shape bread on a cookie sheet, first roll out your dough into a rectangular shape. It should be about a half an inch thick and be uniform in size. Once it has reached a nice uniform shape, pinch the seams of the dough to seal it all the way down.