Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTION:
Is parchment paper and wax paper the same?
In the past they lined pans with wax paper for baking cookies, etc., is parchment paper and wax paper the same only a name change?
ANSWER:
No, waxed paper and parchment paper are not the same.
Waxed paper is tissue paper coated on both sides with a paraffin wax which helps the paper resist moisture and grease but will melt or burn if it comes in direct contact with the heat source.
Parchment paper is paper that is coated with silicone, making it moisture and grease resistant. Unlike waxed paper, it can withstand exposure to temperatures up to 420°F (215°C) in the oven. Parchment paper will brown when exposed to oven heat, but won't burn. It should not be used in ovens heated above 420°F (215°C) or under the broiler.
Parchment paper is more expensive of the two, but works far better for lining pans for baked foods. Fact is, I would not recommend baking cookies on a waxed paper-lined pan because the paper can get hot enough to smoke.
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