A
bread pan, also called a
loaf pan, is a
kitchen utensil in the form of a container in which
bread is
baked. Its function is to shape bread while it is
rising during
baking. The most common shape of the bread pan is the
loaf, or narrow rectangle, a convenient form which enables uniform slicing. The bread pan is made from a
conductive material such as
metal which might be treated with a
non-stick coating. It can also be made of heat resistant glass, ceramic, or a special type of paper that sticks to the dough but is easily removed, once cooked. Bread pans are found in a variety of designs and sizes providing the baker with different possibilities not only for baking bread, but also cakes and puddings.