The Only Baking Pan I’ll Ever Use to Bake Brownies (They Come Out Perfect Every Single Time)

It’s safe to say that I have a bit of a sweet tooth. It helps that my family loves baking — I even have a cousin who makes sculpted cakes! Needless to say, there’s never a shortage of desserts to try or bakeware and baking accessories on hand. I’ve got a cabinet full of racks, mixing bowls, and pans for pies, cakes, muffin tops, and more from brands like Le Creuset and Bamboozle, for instance. That doesn’t even include the hand-me-down Pyrex dishes I’ve gotten from my parents. Of all the baked goods I make at home, brownies are easily in the Top 3. So when I spotted the Pro Slice Brownie Pan, I was immediately interested. However, when I found out it was from one of my favorite kitchen brands, I knew I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to try it out first-hand.

Made with heavy-duty aluminum steel, the Professional Slice Solutions Brownie Pan from Chicago Metallic allows you to bake pre-sliced 2” x 3” brownies and bars without a hassle. It’s made up of three components — the overall baking pan, removable tray, and removable divider — and splits into 18 sections, which means each one can be customized with different toppings to your liking. In addition to the convenience of its nonstick coating, the aluminum steel make of this pan is optimal for “superior heat conduction and even baking.” 

The Pro Slice Brownie Pan has a 9” x 13” baking surface, a silicone-based nonstick coating, and is heat-safe up to 450°. Hand-washing is recommended to preserve the integrity of the nonstick finish, but if you prefer the ease of the dishwasher, all you have to do is avoid concentrated cleaners to ensure the longevity of the pan. Best of all, this baking pan isn’t only good for brownies: You can make cookie bars, lemon bars, Rice Krispies treats, quiche, and so much more.

What initially drew me to Chicago Metallic’s Pro Slice Brownie Pan was the removable tray and divider. I loved the idea of being able to bake desserts and dishes that were instantly shareable and ready to serve. Though the three-piece pan might seem a little intimidating, it’s super easy to use. Simply pour (or build) your dish in the pan on top of the removable tray, add the divider, and pop it into the oven. Everything bakes in its own section and the result is individual bars of deliciousness. 

Some recipes work better in the pan than others. For example, chocolate chunk brownies are completely straightforward. However, when I gave chocolate chip brookies a try, I had to be mindful about how much cookie dough went into each section (which is why some ended up a little overstuffed). I’d also recommend greasing both the removable tray and the bottom edges of the main pan to keep batter from sticking between the two layers. Fortunately, it won’t keep the tray from coming out of the pan, but it will make your cleanup a whole lot easier.

Depending on what you’re baking, it’s best to wait until the dish is fully cooled down before removing them from the Pro Slice pan. In my experience, with brownies, you can get away with popping off the corners a little early, but for picture-perfect pieces of dessert, patience goes a long way — and ends in far less crumbling. So far, I’ve only used this baking pan for brownies, but there are so many more recipes I want to try with it, including this no-bake cheesecake. The only thing that would have made it better is if I’d found it sooner!

Buy: Chicago Metallic Pro Slice Brownie Baking Pan, $22.30