In most cases, it is not necessary to grease a pan when using parchment paper or non-stick cooking spray for making cookies. Both parchment paper and non-stick cooking spray provide an effective non-stick surface that allows the cookies to release easily without sticking to the pan.
Here's how each method works:
Parchment Paper: Parchment paper is a convenient and popular option for baking cookies. It is a heat-resistant and non-stick paper that creates a barrier between the cookie dough and the baking sheet. Simply line your baking sheet with parchment paper, and then place the cookie dough on top of it. The cookies will bake evenly, and once they are done, you can easily slide the parchment paper with the cookies off the baking sheet without any sticking or mess.
Non-stick Cooking Spray: Non-stick cooking spray is specifically designed to prevent food from sticking to the surface of the pan. To use it, simply spray a thin, even layer of the cooking spray onto the baking sheet before placing the cookie dough on top. The cookies should release easily from the pan once they are baked.
Using either parchment paper or non-stick cooking spray should be sufficient to prevent your cookies from sticking to the pan. It's essential to follow the recommended baking time and temperature for your cookie recipe to ensure they bake properly and don't overcook or undercook.
Greasing the pan in addition to using parchment paper or non-stick cooking spray is generally unnecessary and might lead to the cookies spreading too much or becoming too greasy. However, some recipes or personal preferences might call for greasing the pan, so always refer to your specific recipe's instructions. If your recipe doesn't mention greasing the pan and you're using parchment paper or non-stick cooking spray, there's no need to add any extra grease to the pan.