Can I grease a baking pan instead of using parchment paper?

[True2marie]

Some recipes for baked goods call for parchment paper. If I am out of parchment paper, can I grease my cookie sheet instead? If so, is there in a fast or hard rule that applies?

(Don't always have this stuff.)

 

[cefmac]

I only started using parchment paper recently - I always greased my tins myself before, so yes, it's perfectly acceptable! I'd advise that you're quite liberal with the butter, and sprinkle a bit of flour over it as well to coat the butter. That usually works for me.