Kitchen Tip: Parchment Paper

Parchment paper is a life saver when it comes to baking cookies. Here are the reasons why parchment paper is a must have in the kitchen

• It keeps the cookies from sticking
  
• It saves time because you can slip the parchment paper off along with the baked cookies and use the cookie sheet right away (after adding a new piece of parchment paper of course).
• If you only have access to one or two cookie sheets, you can load up your dough balls on a piece of parchment paper, and then slip the paper onto the cookie sheet when it becomes available. This is especially useful when you are making cut out sugar cookies.  The kids can always cut out the shapes faster then they bake.
  
• You don't have to wash the cookie sheets because the cookies never touch it. Just toss the parchment paper in the trash and you are done! Easy clean up!
• I don't know about you, but we have a cookie sheet circa 1980, and it is a little scary looking. I just feel a little better with that extra barrier in the middle.
• You can use it to play Harry Potter with the kids, and give them a "bit of parchment" to write spells on.
• You can use it inside cake or bread pans to keep things from sticking (just like you would use foil)
• The possibilities are endless!
  

You can find parchment paper on the same aisle as plastic wrap and foil. There are frequent coupons in the paper for it too!