What is the Difference Between Jelly Roll Pan and Cookie Sheet

The main difference between jelly roll and cookie sheet is that jelly roll pans have rims while cookie sheets have a flat surface without any rims.

Jelly roll pan and cookie sheets are two types of bakeware that help us in baking. Jelly roll pans are specifically used to make jelly rolls or Swiss rolls, which are difficult to make without these pans. However, you can also use these pans for other recipes like cookies or roast vegetables.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Jelly Roll Pan
– Definition, Function, Features
2. What is a Cookie Sheet
– Definition, Function, Features
3. Similarities Between Jelly Roll Pan and Cookie Sheet
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Jelly Roll Pan and Cookie Sheet
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Baking Sheet, Cookie Sheet, Jelly Roll Pan

What is a Jelly Roll Pan

A jelly roll pan is a smaller version of a baking sheet with rims. It is wide and flat, and rims are around 1 inch. There are two common sizes of jelly roll pans as 1/2 size and 1/4 size. 1/2 size pans tend to be around 12″ by 17″ and 1″ deep while 1/4 size pans tend to be around 9″ by 13″ and 1″ deep. Jelly roll pans can be made from a wide range of materials, but aluminium and aluminized steel are the most common materials out of them.

Main Difference - Jelly Roll Pan vs Cookie Sheet

Figure 1: Jelly Roll Pans can be used to make Rolled Cakes

As its name suggests, this type of pans is used for baking sponge cakes or sheet cakes used in making jelly rolls. These cakes are coated with jelly, crème or other fillings and rolled into a cylindrical shape. You can use them for any type of rolled cakes such as pumpkin rolls or yule logs. You can also use jelly roll pans for many other recipes. They can be even used for baking cookies or roasting vegetables.

A cookie sheet is a type of rimless baking sheet with a flat bottom. As its name suggests, it’s used to bake cookies. The flat bottom allows better air circulation and ensures that cookies don’t lose their shape and bake evenly. Since cookie sheets have no rims or sides, it’s easier to manoeuvre cookies with a spatula. Moreover, the large surface area of cookie sheets allows you to make a large number of cookies at once.

Difference Between Jelly Roll Pan and Cookie Sheet

Figure 2: Cookie Sheet

In general, cookie sheets have a small lip on the short sides for easy grip when you slide them in and out of the oven. These sheets come in a range of sizes, thicknesses, shapes, materials and finishes. For example, you can find nonstick cookie sheets, insulated cookie sheets and other metal cookie sheets on the market.

On some occasions, you can use these sheets interchangeably.

Definition

A jelly roll pan is a smaller version of a baking sheet with rims while a cookie sheet is a type of rimless baking sheet with a flat bottom.

Side

Jelly roll pans have raised sides (around 1 inch) while cookie sheets are flat sheets without raised sides.

Lip for Easy Gripping

Cookie sheets have a small lip on one side for easy gripping while jelly rolls do not have a lip.

Size

Jelly roll pans are smaller than baking sheets while cookie sheets come in a variety of sheets. Cookie sheets are usually larger than jelly roll pans.

Roasting

You can use jelly roll pans for roasting, but cookie sheets are not suitable for roasting vegetables or meat.

Uses

We use jelly roll pans for baking sponge cakes or sheet cakes that help to make jelly rolls or Swiss rolls while we mainly use cookie sheets for baking cookies.

Conclusion

We use jelly roll pans for baking sponge cakes or sheet cakes that help to make jelly rolls or Swiss rolls while we mainly use cookie sheets for baking cookies. The main difference between jelly roll and cookie sheet is that jelly roll pans have rims while cookie sheets have a flat surface without any rims.

Reference:

1. Potts, Christine. “What Is a Jelly Roll Pan?” WebstaurantStore, 21 Feb. 2019, Available here.
2. “Baking Sheets 101: The Difference Between Cookie Sheets and Baking Pans.” Martha Stewart, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cake, black forest cherry roll, cream, calories, calorie bomb, craving a sweet, sweet food, bake your own, dessert, kitchen, delicious” (CC0) via Pickpik
2. “Christmas sugar cookies on a cookie sheet” by m01229 (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr