How Alton Brown Makes Parchment Paper Stick To Baking Dishes

We've all heard of wacky hacks to keep our kitchens clean and organized and our cooking skills up to par. Alton Brown's tip for keeping parchment paper in place is one to add to your repertoire. Parchment paper is a kitchen necessity for many reasons. 

The Pioneer Woman says it helps prevent hot spots by creating an airy layer between the hot baking sheet and the parchment paper. Parchment paper also helps keep cookies fluffy, helps keep cutting bars and brownies clean, and enables easy cleanup. There are so many ways that this baking paper can help make your time in the kitchen more efficient. But don't confuse parchment with wax paper. 

Martha Stewart says the difference between the two is the wax coating. Parchment paper is non-stick and moisture, grease, and heat-resistant. Wax paper is also non-stick, but it contains a thin coating of wax which gives the paper this quality. Wax paper is also not heat-resistant. Never use wax paper in the oven — the wax can melt and may even ignite.

Now that you know the difference between these two baking papers, grab a roll of parchment paper and cookie dough. It's time to put Alton Brown's hack into practice.

According to The Spruce Eats, most brands of parchment paper are heat-safe up to 420 F. This paper works wonders for preventing cookies, cakes, and candies from sticking to the baking pan. It is also used for layering between sticky candies, covering work surfaces, and funneling or sifting ingredients.

If you've ever noticed, parchment paper doesn't like to sit still on a baking sheet. It tends to slide around, making it challenging to keep it in place long enough to position your baked goods. For this reason, Brown comes to the rescue with a hack for making parchment paper stick to baking dishes. According to Food 52, the famous chef recommends using a spray bottle to spritz your baking dish with water before laying the parchment paper down. The water acts as an agent to adhere the paper to the pan. It's a natural way to keep the paper and cookies in place.