The best macaron baking sheet is by Nordic Ware.
Nordic Ware creates a commercial grade baker’s natural aluminum baking sheet.
- Pure Aluminum – durable and long lasting
- Reinforced high edges around baking pan – prevents pan from warping
- Flat baking pan (no ridges or design on baking pan) – bottoms of macaron shells will be perfectly flat
- Even baking distribution to cook the macarons equally throughout the baking pan
- 2 Half Sheets will make 1 batch of macarons (~40 filled macarons)
- Silicone Baking Mat fits perfectly inside the baking pan
Nordic Ware’s natural aluminum baking pan has very high edges, which makes grabbing the pan out of the oven much easier.
The baking pan is designed that silicone baking mat’s will fit perfectly inside the edges of the baking pan. There is no part of the baking pan that isn’t covered by silicone, therefore you can pipe the maximum number of macarons onto the baking sheet.
For a half sheet, you can fit 40 macarons shells piped onto the baking sheet. This will create 20 filled macarons.
Typically 1 batch of macarons makes 40 filled macarons, therefore it’s best to have 2 half baking sheets.
Piped macarons need to be on a baking sheet, and a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
The air bubbles need to be removed from the macarons before baking, this is usually done by banging the bottom of the baking pan. Another option is dropping the baking pan onto a flat surface to remove the air bubbles.
Nordic Ware’s natural aluminum baking pan is very strong, you’ll have no problem banging the bottom of the pan to remove the air bubbles from the macarons before baking.
Why is aluminum the best material for baking macarons
Aluminum is the best metal at conducting heat over other baking sheets like stainless steel.
Stainless steel baking pans can create hot spots and will not bake macarons evenly.
Older stainless steel pans can make macarons have sticky bottom shells, and will come out of the oven undercooked.
Aluminum baking sheets resist warping, and are extremely sturdy and durable.
Aluminum baking pans conduct heat evenly throughout the pan.
Aluminum is a light colored baking sheet; it doesn’t absorb heat like other metals, such as stainless steel.
With a lighter colored pan, you can bake your macarons for a shorter amount of time than if you used a stainless steel baking sheet.
Aluminum baking sheets are the choice of high grade commercial bakeries around the globe.
How to clean aluminum baking sheets used for macarons
To clean your aluminum baking sheets, soak them with soap and water and wash with a cloth until clean.
Allow the pan to air dry completely before storage.
Do not wash aluminum baking sheets in the dishwasher as this can cause them to oxidize and break down.
Macarons need their aluminum pans to be perfectly clean. There can be no oily residue present on the baking pan. If there is, the macarons will absorb the oil and will not turn out. The macarons will be sticky and under-baked, or will not turn out at all.
If you’re having trouble removing the oily residue from the aluminum baking pan, pour very hot water on the pan, and this should remove the oil from the baking pan.
