What Is a Jelly Roll Pan? (2024)

A recipe may specify a jelly roll pan or a baking sheet, so what's the difference? And do you need both for a properly stocked kitchen? Get all the details about jelly roll pans—including what they are, when to use them, and how to choose a jelly roll pan that'll last through every sheet cake, pizza, and fancy dessert.

What Is a Jelly Roll Pan?

A jelly roll pan is a 10 by 15 inch pan with a one-inch lip, which makes it perfect for baking a Swiss roll or jelly roll—a thin sponge cake that is rolled into a cylinder (usually with thin layer of jelly or cream) to create an elegant spiraled cake design. (Think of the traditional French bûche de Noël as an example.)

What's the Difference Between a Jelly Roll Pan, a Cake Pan, and a Baking Sheet?

It's all about the dimensions, when it comes to the differences between these pans—and making a baked good in a different dimension pan can impact your baking time, as the batter is spread thinner or thicker than the recipe calls for.

Jelly Roll Pan

You can use one to roast a large batch of vegetables, bake a dozen or more cookies, or even make a large sheet cake.

A jelly roll pan is a nice-to-have addition. It's ideal for a bûche de Noël and handy for toasting nuts or cooking asparagus. And chances are, it will fit in your dishwasher.

Cake Pan

Cake pans can come in a slew of dimensions and shapes–with everything from a bundt pan to rounds, squares, and rectangles. The most common rectangular cake pan size is a 9 x 13 pan, which is usually deeper (two inches deep) than the jelly roll pan's one-inch lip.

Baking Sheets

Baking sheets are only one inch deep like a jelly roll pan, but come in different dimensions. A quarter baking sheet is usually 9 x 13 inches, a half baking sheet is 18 x 13 inches, and a full baking sheet is 26 x 18 inches.

What Are Jelly Roll Pans Used For?

The jelly roll pan can be a great addition to the kitchen, beyond just the jelly roll cake it's named for. You can use it for baking or roasting anything that could slide off the pan, like asparagus, sausages, or toasted nuts. It's also great for baked goods that have need a crust, like a pizza, tarts, or bar cookies, where you can spread it up the sides. And they are great for brownies as well.

How to Choose a Jelly Roll Pan

Jelly roll pans come in a number of different materials, just like other baking pans. Common materials for jelly roll pans include aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, and even silicone (though you may find it tricky to bring that one to the oven filled with a liquidy batter!).

You'll likely use a parchment or nonstick silicone sheet for most sponge cake recipes used in jelly rolls, since that enables you to easily lift out the cake and roll it to create the dessert. But a nonstick surface can be helpful, just in case the cake somehow gets around your prep.

What Can I Use Instead of a Jelly Roll Pan if I Don't Have One?

Your best bet is to go with something with similar dimensions. The closest to the jelly roll pan is the half sheet pan, but a cookie sheet can be used (though the cake will be thinner and may finish baking a few minutes earlier).