How To Grease A Pan

I have learned how to grease a pan or two, being a professional baker for more that 20 years.  I typically use my own homemade pan grease.  This simple easy recipe has made my life so much easier!!  

Make ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for whenever you need to grease a pan.  Three pantry ingredients are all it takes to make this pan grease recipe and only 5 minutes to whip up.  Just remember, equal amounts of 3 simple ingredients: flour, shortening and vegetable oil.  

A low-cost alternative to what is on the market with an incredibly long shelf life.  Pan grease and cake release are the same thing, just a different name. The both keep your cakes from sticking!!

If you bake a lot of cakes, you will want to print this recipe.  There is nothing worse than creating the perfect cake and having it ruined because it stuck to the side of the pan.  This cake release recipe will eliminate all of those cake-flipping disasters!  

Pan Grease Ingredients

• Flour
• Shortening
• Oil

How to Make Your Own Pan Grease

Gather Your Ingredients:  Prepare equal parts flour, shortening, and vegetable oil (for example, 1 cup of each).

Mix the Ingredients:  In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, shortening, and oil. Using an electric hand mixer or a KitchenAid stand mixer with a wire whip attachment, start on low speed until the ingredients come together.

Whip Until Fluffy:  Gradually increase to high speed and beat for 5–10 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth.

Store Properly:  Transfer the mixture to a sealed container and store in the refrigerator. Your pan grease will last for 6–12 months.

Apply with a Pastry Brush:  When ready to use, let the grease soften for a few minutes. Use a pastry brush to coat your pan evenly.  Make sure to get in the corners and all the way to the top of the sides of the pan.

How to Grease a Pan 

1. Soften the Grease: If your homemade grease is stored in the fridge, set it out for a few minutes so it’s easier to spread.
2. Choose Your Tool: A pastry brush works best for applying the grease. Dedicate one brush just for greasing pans to avoid stray bristles in your batter. After each use, wrap the brush in a plastic bag and store it in the fridge with the grease mixture. 👉 Tip: Don’t have a pastry brush? A folded paper towel wrapped around your fingers works too—just toss it after use.
3. Apply Generously: Brush a thick, even layer of grease over the entire inside of the pan—especially in the cracks, corners, and crevices where cakes tend to stick.
4. Coat Evenly: Make sure the bottom and sides of the pan are fully covered. The goal is a smooth, even layer with no bare spots.
5. Bake with Confidence: Your pan is now perfectly prepped! Pour in your cake batter and bake as usual. When cooled, your cake will release easily, leaving you with smooth edges—perfect for decorating or frosting.

How to Grease and Flour a Pan

Back in my teenage baking days, every recipe book seemed to say the same thing: “Grease and flour your cake pans.”

I quickly grew to dislike this method. It was messy, left a powdery residue on the finished cake, and honestly made cleanup a headache. That frustration pushed me to find an easier alternative—and that’s when I discovered my homemade cake release recipe. A cake made with pan grease.

How to Grease a Pan for Brownies

When it comes to brownies, my go-to is simple: cooking spray.

Spray your brownie pan (or muffin and loaf pans if you’re making quick breads), and you’re good to go. It’s quick, easy, inexpensive, and gives consistent results.

I don’t use my homemade cake release for brownies or quick breads—cooking spray works perfectly, and if it isn’t broken, there’s no reason to fix it!