Baking cookware can be made from a variety of heat resistant materials such as iron, aluminum, and glass.
But can silicone molds withstand the high temperatures during baking and go in the oven?
To answer this question, we’ll need to look at the chemical properties of silicone and its applications in cooking.
Fortunately, silicone has been part of the cooking world for decades so we have plenty of information to go by.
Read on to find out if you can put silicone molds in the oven.
Can silicone molds go in the oven?
Silicone molds are made from an organosilicon compound called siloxane.
Siloxane contains a chain of alternating silicone and oxygen atoms, combined with carbon or hydrogen.
Its structure makes it resistant to extreme environmental conditions and temperatures.
As a result, pure food-grade silicone molds have a high heat resistance which makes them oven safe.
Contrary to popular belief, they don’t leach any harmful chemicals and are completely safe for baking.
Depending on the quality of the silicone, they can withstand temperatures up to 450°F (230°C).
In fact, food-grade silicone has been deemed freezer-safe, microwave-safe, and oven-safe by the FDA since 1979.
Not all silicone molds are made equal
Some silicone molds are made using fillers such as talc, clay, and calcium carbonate.
These types of molds aren’t approved by the FDA since their fillers become unstable at high temperatures and can get released into the food.
Fortunately, you can easily tell if a silicone mold contains fillers by performing the pinch test.
To do it, simply pinch or twist some of the silicone with your fingers.
If it changes its color when pinched, then the silicone mold is made using fillers.
Pure food-grade silicone won’t shift its color, no matter how hard you try to bend it.
How to bake using silicone molds?
Silicone molds come in various shapes that can be used to bake muffins, cakes, or even make candy.
But despite that, they can cause some difficulties if they’re not used properly.
This is why there are a few things you should keep in mind when baking using silicone molds.
1. Put the mold on a baking sheet.
You should never put silicone bakeware directly on the oven rack.
Silicone bakeware is soft and floppy which makes it harder to handle especially when it’s hot.
If you place it directly on the oven rack, you increase the chances of slippage and can burn yourself.
This is why it’s better to put silicone molds or bakeware on a metal baking sheet.
Using a baking sheet will also improve heat conductivity and allow for even cooking.
2. Spray the bottom of the mold with cooking spray.
Even though silicone molds have a non-stick surface, it’s good to grease their bottom with cooking spray or butter when you’re making a cake.
This will prevent cracking and ensure the cake slides off easily from the mold.
For smaller pastries, however, it’s better to avoid greasing since they’re easier to unmold.
The lack of grease also makes the molds easier to clean and maintain.
3. Scoop batter into the mold.
Use a scoop to fill 2/3 of each hole with cake batter.
This will allow the batter to rise so you can trim it down into a flat cylinder.
For cakes with a lighter batter such as Angel cake or Sponge cake, it’s better to fill only a third of each hole.
4. Allow the molds to cool off.
Don’t take the cakes out while they’re still hot.
Let the mold completely cool off for 15 minutes then gently twist each side or turn the mold upside down to release the cakes.
If you take them out too quickly, some of the batter will stick to the sides and ruin their texture.
Once the mold has cooled down, you can pop the cakes right out by pushing the mold inside out.
What are the benefits of silicone bakeware?
Even though silicone bakeware can’t measure up to the thermal conductivity of traditional baking pans, it does come with a few advantages.
- Unlike metal baking pans, silicone bakeware has a non-stick surface that allows easier release and cleaning.
Usually, all it takes to clean it is a simple handwash.
- Using silicone cookware can also free up some space in your kitchen pantry.
This is because silicone molds, pads and pans can be folded to fit tight spaces.
You can even replace your cupcake pan with silicone liners and stack the cupcakes up.
Here’s a recipe idea for Moist Vanilla Cupcakes that you can prepare with silicone liners.
- Another benefit of silicone bakeware is its utility and reusability.
Silicone cupcake liners for instance, can be reused multiple times unlike their paper counterparts.
They also double down as party cups which can be filled with small treats like nuts or raisins.
- Silicone molds can be shaped in a variety of unique ways that’s not possible for metal or glass.
With that said, there are a few downsides that you should also consider before jumping on the silicone bandwagon.
These are:
- Silicone cookware transfers heat rather poorly so you’ll need to increase the cooking time for most recipes.
- Some of your cakes and pastries might end up with less browning on the outside and underside since silicone doesn’t get as hot as metal.
- Silicone molds are also not ideal for holding some of the more intricate details on chocolates and candy.
My short recap
Silicone molds come in a variety of unique colors, shapes and sizes.
They’re flexible, easy to clean and can withstand temperatures up to 450°F (230°C).
These qualities make silicone molds perfect for baking smaller pastries such as cupcakes and muffins in the oven.
Just remember to keep yourself safe and always place them over a metal baking sheet.
Silicone is floppy and you can easily burn yourself if you’re not careful.
