The Presliced Brownie Pan: More Bakeware I Didn't Know I Needed
There seems to be a rather large market for kitchen products I didn't know I needed. Back in June I finally caved and bought myself an ebelskiver pan, a product apparently popular with a lot of our readers, and a cookware item that has set forth a breakfast revolution amongst my family and friends. It never fails--invite friends over, serve them ebelskivers (chocolate-filled!), listen to their happy sighs, and every time, before the last 'skiver is devoured, they're all dreamily saying, "I must have one of these pans."
My latest find is the presliced brownie pan from Slice Solutions. Now, I have to tell you, when I first saw it I scoffed at the concept. I said, "How hard is it to slice your own brownies? Really!" But, the box enticed me with the idea of making a whole pan full of different types of brownies--at once! So, again, I indulged my need for interesting kitchenware and was soon baking up my first round of presliced brownies.
As you can see from the photos on the right, I created a selection of brownies with different candy toppings. After pouring in the batter and inserting the divider, I topped each brownie with Reese's Pieces, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Skor, Twix, Caramello, or Junior Mints. After they baked and cooled, I followed the instructions to remove the divider (slid out like a charm!) and then set the pan on the small side of the cooling rack, which lifts the removable bottom up from the pan, making it impossibly easy to get right at your brownies.
I did love the brownie variety I produced with just the one recipe. But, as it turns out, it was the slice aspect of the pan that really wowed me. Let me tell you--I am now obsessed with this pan, intensely in love with those perfect little slices and exact right angles. I am probably the manufacturer's ideal demographic--a baker and an editor. I like everything just so, and this pan caters to my perfectionist nature. I now spend idyll moments fantasizing about my next round of perfectly-sliced brownies, snack cakes, cornbread, and quick breads. (I also baked some zucchini bread in the pan, to equal perfectionista delight.)
In addition to the brownie pan, Slice Solutions also makes the following presliced wonders:
And, by the way, it's worth mentioning that you can use the pans without the dividers, just as regular old baking pans. The cool thing about them is that they have removable bottoms, so it's super easy to release the baked goods from their pan imprisonment. And, with the dividers, I keep thinking how great the pans would be for kids' birthday parties, get-togethers, and picnics. Just take along the whole thing, and remove the divider on site--no worrying about ruining your baking masterpiece en route. Plus, they'd be quite the conversation starter with your family and friends.
--KitchenMaus
anomdebus on September 07, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Can you comment on the sturdiness of the unit?
Thanks
Tidbits Of Tammy on September 07, 2008 at 07:25 PM
This is so awesome!
KitchenMaus on September 08, 2008 at 09:46 AM
The set is quite sturdy. The pan and bottom are of high quality and very sturdy. The slicing blades of the divider, by nature of their thinner metal, are a little pliable and could be bent if you are rough while washing (they could also be bent back into place, if you are!). However, the nonstick surface seems to be very good, so there is little sticking and thus little scrubbing. I just cleaned the divider with a bottle brush and no bending occured. Also, the overall construction of the divider is very solid. I have not put my set in the dishwasher, as I tend not to like to do so with nonstick pieces, even when the manufacturer says you can.
boogs on September 09, 2008 at 06:57 AM
could you make rice krispie treats in it? also, some mixes won't fill a pan this size, will it work if you only fill half of the pan? will the batter run to the other side?
boogs on September 09, 2008 at 06:59 AM
also, i like eating the edges of the brownies. does this pan make all brownies have nice crispy edges?
KitchenMaus on September 09, 2008 at 10:57 AM
The box does recommend the pan for cereal treats, but I can't say that I've tried it yet. Seems like a good idea! I also haven't tried filling just part of the pan. I use a "family-size" brownie mix when I make brownies and that has worked out perfectly. It also holds the equivalent of one loaf pan of any batter (I made a quick zucchini bread). For the edges, it does not give all the brownies crispy edges--just the edges on the outside of the pan. Basically, you need to expose the brownies to more direct, exterior heat. The divider doesn't really add much additional heat, and only serves for slicing. If you want more edges, I would recommend the Baker's Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan: http://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Edge-Nonstick-Brownie-Pan/dp/B000MMK448/?&tag=aldenteblog-20
Pauline Young on October 31, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Can you please tell me if the Brownie Pan can be put in the dishwasher. I didn't get any instructions with the pans and it is hard to clean without putting it in the dishwasher. Thank you
KitchenMaus on October 31, 2008 at 11:48 AM
The manufacturer says it can go in the dishwasher, but I tend not to like to put my nonstick bakeware in the dishwasher. To wash this pan, I rinsed it off immediately after it cooled to avoid any stuck-on bits, then washed is with the usual soap and water. I washed the insert with a large-ish bottle brush and it washed up pretty easily. If you coat everything well with nonstick spray before cooking, and use hot water for washing, it should do just fine. Hope this helps!