How To: Master the Silpat

Want to create the greatest cookies in the world? Bread to die for? Heck, even nachos with cheese and chicken tenders are made perfect with these brilliantly designed silicone baking mats by DeMarle. Here are some tips to master it:

1. DON'T OIL IT. If you add oil then it will become sticky. Sounds odd, but I had a friend over and she oiled it and it became so sticky that it only came off after a significant amount of major scrubbing. Avoid oil for these Silpats!
   
2. I found that when using new silicone baking mats requires a "break in" period since they don't tend to outgas on first use. I bake them with nothing on them for about 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. I have never had problems with this, but it's not super necessary.
   
3. Don't be scared to put the mat directly onto your oven racks. I find that I get the best results this way. You can use it on a pan if it makes you feel better, but it's really not necessary unless you're worried about cookies spilling over while baking.
   
4. Be aware of the maximum temperature for your mat.
5. Buy at least two so you can make batches of cookies with it.
6. Don't forget that if you are cooking at 350 degrees, the mat will be 350 degrees, so DON'T grab it with your hands. Instead, you can place aluminum foil liners for easy pulling.