Though there are several methods to cut parchment paper into a circle for lining the bottom of your round cake pan, the easiest way to do so comes from the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten. She says that folding your parchment paper before cutting it can make it easier to create a seamless circle.

To use this Garten-approved method, start by tearing a piece of parchment paper that is large enough to cover your entire round pan, then fold it in half from one cut edge to the other. With the paper doubled over, fold it in half again from side to side, then crease the paper from side to side again to create a triangle.

To cleanly cut the parchment into a circle, hold the narrow point of your triangle at the center of the pan and trim the excess paper off along the edge, following the curvature of the pan to get the perfect fit. Once you've cut your circle, place it at the bottom of your baking pan, line the rest of it, and proceed with your recipe.