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The Best Cookie Trays of 2024
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A cookie tray, also known as a baking sheet or cookie sheet, is a flat, rectangular metal pan primarily used for baking cookies. It can also be used for other baked goods like biscuits or pastries and to reheat items in the oven! It typically has a raised edge to prevent spills and comes in various sizes and materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, and non-stick-coated varieties. Because of their versatility, cookie trays are a staple in most kitchens.
We put together a list of the best cookie trays and examined each tray's design, size, material, and construction. Our favorite tray is the HusMait 10x15 inch Nonstick Baking Sheet because of its large size, nonstick coating, and sturdy build!
Our Top Picks For Cookie Trays
View all ContentsThe Best Cookie Trays
Best Overall
HusMait is a prominent brand famous for selling top-quality kitchenware at affordable rates and they’ve certainly impressed us with this versatile cookie tray – a one-fits-all solution for cookie-making, baking, toasting, roasting, and food-prepping, precisely why it wins the best overall badge on our list. This nonstick cookie sheet is fortified against mold, warp, rust, cracking, and fading
The extensive surface area and roomy dimensions make it ideal for preparing large batches of cookies, desserts, and other treats. What’s more, the non-stick finish is super-easy to clean, and you can pop this pan into the oven, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher without a care in the world! Most nonstick pans lose their finish with time, but this fine-quality pan comes with a premium-grade finish that is made to last for years with proper maintenance.
Pros
- Versatile & multipurpose – can be used for baking and roasting
- Dishwasher and refrigerator-friendly
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Solidified to prevent cracking and peeling – has a warp-resistant coating
Cons
- Its non stick material isn’t ideal for buttery and moist cookies
Most Trays Per Set
Suppose you run a home-based bakery or a small patisserie. In that case, you need a versatile and affordable solution to bake and transport your cookies. These aluminum foil cookie trays are perfect for dispatching freshly-baked cookies on delivery and take-out orders. They are also a great choice for birthday parties, holiday events, and distributing large batches of treats!
They may be made with disposable aluminum foil, but don’t underestimate the sturdiness of these smooth, flat baking sheets. Designed with premium-grade aluminum foil, these cookie trays have a sturdy surface and a full curl rim for enhanced durability. They won’t warp or burn in the oven or ruin the consistency of your baked goodies. They are a tried-and-tested solution to prepare heavy, creamy, moist, and perfectly browned cookies and desserts with considerable ease.
Pros
- An eco-friendly choice – 100% recyclable and disposable material
- Ease of baking and transporting treats
- Versatile for desserts, pizzas and breads, etc.
- They’re aluminum foil sheets that are durable and come with full-curl rims
Cons
- Some bakers prefer working with steel kitchenware – these are aluminum sheets
Best Value
Are you on the hunt for a budget-friendly cookie tray set that doesn’t skimp on quality and durability? Look no further than this premium-grade cookie pan set with a cooling rack from Chicago Metallic, a reputable kitchenware brand. We’re quite impressed by the package it offers in a cost-efficient deal.
The set includes two cookie trays constructed with high-grade alloy steel and wire rod-reinforced rim to prevent warping and cracking. It also comes with a spacious cooking rack to cool your cookies and freshly baked treats before serving. These pans are versatile baking solutions with a high-quality nonstick finish. So you can use these for anything and everything, from baking cookies and brownies to homemade pizzas and roasted veggies. We strongly recommend this set to culinary enthusiasts who bake most of their everyday meals.
Pros
- Warp-resistant construction
- Smooth and durable nonstick finish with space-saving stacking
- Provides even heat distribution, is dishwasher-friendly, and offers easy release and clean-up
- Comes with 2 backing sheets and a cooling rack
Cons
- Demands regular maintenance to preserve the nonstick coating – if you’re too harsh when scraping it, you may peel off the non-stick coating
Most Durable
Most newbie bakers undermine the importance of working with the right tools to improve their craft. This nonstick cookie tray from Rachel Ray Bakeware is designed to enhance the ease of baking and offer superior convenience. For instance, the easy food release mechanism allows the cookies and baked goods to slide off the nonstick finish and fall gently into the serving tray.
What’s more, cleaning and maintenance needs are minimal, and you can pop the pans into the dishwasher after your baking sessions. Constructed with premium alloy steel and a durable nonstick finish, these pans are a lasting investment that will serve you for years, provided you take good care of the coating.
Pros
- Easy to use and clean with an aesthetically pleasing design and wide, grippy handles
- Resistant to high heat exposure and boasts an easy food-release mechanism
- Durable construction – made out of alloy steel
- Comes with three baking trays that are ideal for baking and roasting
Cons
- They’re prone to rusting
Most Warp-Resistance
Here’s an excellent cookie sheet set that impressed us with its value-added assortment of three baking pans, perfect for expanding your bakeware collection. The set offers good value for money as it provides three different sizes in small, medium, and large pans. It will serve your needs well when preparing small and large batches of desserts.
The pans are constructed with high-quality alloy steel, adding lasting durability and sturdiness to the mix. The smooth and fine nonstick coating makes this set all the more appealing, given the minimal price tag and value proposition. What’s more, Good Cook backs its product with a lifetime exchange offer – a proposition that puts all doubts to rest!
Pros
- Durable and sturdy design – fine quality steel construction
- Combines three sizes in one set
- Has a nonstick coating and is dishwasher-friendly
- Comes with a lifetime exchange warranty
Cons
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026RHI3M?th=1The edges are rolled and when you wash them, the water droplets stay inside, causing it to rust
The Best Cookie Tray Buying Guide
Do you know what makes a cookie tray different from other baking sheets? It’s essentially the shape and surface area; for instance, the cookie tray does not have a rimmed edge, while most baking sheets are rimmed around the edges.You don’t have to settle for a standard tray if it doesn’t support your recipes and baking endeavors!
Understanding your preferences will help you find the your desired cookie tray. Some bakers prefer rimmed cookie trays, while others enjoy working with flat sheets with a large surface area. Keep reading to explore more features and specifications you should ideally be looking for.
Material & Construction
The material and construction determine the durability and performance of the cookie tray, and we advise steering clear of cheap-grade materials. It’s wise to buy a premium quality cookie sheet made with aluminized steel or aluminum. Both are excellent materials, but heavy-gauge aluminum cookie trays have a higher price tag!
Aluminum cookie trays are worth the investment, as they ensure even heat distribution necessary for that evenly browned texture and soft crunch that we all love biting into! What’s more, aluminum baking sheets are versatile, durable, and super-easy to clean and maintain.
However, if you intend to use the cookie sheet for baking veggies and other items, keep in mind that aluminum reacts to acidic foods, such as tomatoes.
Stick vs. Non-Stick
Is a nonstick cookie tray better than its counterpart? It really boils down to the baker’s preferences and convenience. Most home bakers prefer the easy-to-clean convenience of nonstick cookie trays. Nonstick is a good investment for beginners who don’t want the awful mess of scraping cookie dough from the pan.
What’s more, the nonstick finish speeds up the baking time and allows the cookies to darken quickly and evenly. However, nonstick pans have a shorter lifespan because the finish wears off eventually, demanding a replacement. In comparison, standard aluminum cookie trays last much longer, provided you take good care of their cleaning and maintenance needs.
Insulation or No Insulation?
Here’s another common question newbie bakers encounter while shopping for baking supplies: should you buy an insulated cookie tray? Insulated cookie sheets are designed with a layer of insulation sandwiched between two aluminum sheets. The insulation creates a cushion of air to ensure even and controlled heating, perfect for lightly browned cookies with soft and flavorful centers.
Insulated cookie trays are a great choice for bakers who like their cookies moist and soft. Still, you ought to consider the drawbacks before bringing one home. Insulated cooking sheets heat up very slowly, and therefore, the baking time is much longer. They are a great fit for shortbread and light-hued baked goods but utterly disastrous for butter cookies and shaped treats.
It’s wise to assess the kind of cookie doughs and recipes you work with – it’ll help you determine if insulation is the right choice for your needs.
Cookie Color, Crust & Consistency
The specifications and features of the cookie tray profoundly impact the outcomes of your baking experiment. The cooking sheet determines the color, texture, crust, softness, moistness and consistency of the cookies. How does that work? It’s simple; every material and design heats up and bakes ingredients at a different speed, ratio, and level of heat distribution.
Let’s make it simpler with a few easy hacks – for instance, shiny and glossy cookie trays are ideal for shortbread as they don’t over-brown the bottom side, resulting in light-golden cookies. In contrast, heavy-daugh pans with dark colors bake crisp and dark-browned cookies.
Suppose you want to make thick and moist cookies with soft and light-brown bottoms. In that case, working with a nonstick cookie tray is the best choice, especially if you’re experimenting with shapes and figures.
Size & Surface Area
Size matters significantly, and there’s so much to consider before determining the right pan. It’s natural for newbies to gravitate towards the biggest pan so they can make the largest batches. Now, that’s a strategy that never works unless you have a large oven. It’s crucial to ensure that the size of the cookie tray is aligned with the oven’s size.
We advise buying cookie trays at least two inches smaller than the oven’s sides to ensure adequate air circulation and heat distribution. More importantly, be sure to determine the storage space available in your kitchen. It’s also wise to invest in a spacious surface area that offers versatility, so you can bake various desserts and recipes without any hassle!
Final Thoughts
It’s natural to be tempted by cheap bargains offering packages of 2-3 cookie sheets at the price of one or less. But suppose you’re familiar with baking rules and the quality standards of various cooking materials. In that case, you understand that heavy-gauge aluminum doesn’t come cheap.
Affordability is crucial, but a premium cookie tray will serve you for years with proper maintenance. We advise investing in a durable and versatile cookie sheet that you can repurpose for dozens of baked recipes.
People Also Asked
What is the best cookie tray for long-lasting durability?
Heavy-gauge aluminum cookie trays offer lasting durability as they don't buckle and warp under extreme heat exposure.
Are aluminum cookie trays safe to use?
Aluminum cookie trays are a safe choice for desserts and cookies, as long as you don't scratch the aluminum. Avoid using them for preparing acidic foods like tomatoes or peppers.
How much does a reliable cookie tray cost?
You can make a great investment in less than $20 or explore cookie sheets priced at $50 or above. It all depends on your chosen brand, specifications, and features!
