43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (2024)

FAQs

How to make muffins without muffin tray? ›

Take any basic batter, from brownie batter to cake batter to muffin batter, and spread it onto a parchment-lined (or well-greased) sheet pan with high edges. Bake until just set and golden on the edges, then remove from the oven and let it cool.

You can use alternative items such as ramekins, silicone baking cups, or even a regular baking sheet lined with parchment paper to bake muffins without a muffin tray.

If you're wondering if a cupcake pan is the same as a muffin pan, the answer is yes! Though generally called muffin pans, they can be used to bake cupcakes, muffins and even savory items, like egg cups.

You can opt either for a cooking spray (here's our favorite one for baking) or melted butter, applied with a pastry brush. You can always skip the greasing and use muffin liners, but they may prevent your baked goods from achieving an optimal golden brown crust along the sides.

First, cut a sheet of parchment into five-to-six-inch squares. Then, place the squares over the holes in the muffin tin, and use the heel of a small glass to mold the paper into the indent.

Making Cupcakes Without Liners

While sticking is a bit of a risk, you can always spray down your muffin pan and bake the cupcakes as normal. (Baker's Joy is a good product to consider using.) Make sure to evenly coat each and every cup, and to coat not only the base but also the sides of the cup.

Non-Stick Pans - Even though they say 'non-stick,' many do require a light greasing and it will vary based on the manufacturer. Silicone Pans - These may also require a light coat of grease. Be sure to place the muffin pan on a cookie sheet for stability.

Some batters are very high in sugar, which can caramelize against a paper wrapper (or a metal pan, for that matter) and stick, while others are simply very delicate in texture. Batters that are relatively low in fat also tend to stick more than higher fat recipes.

Is there a difference between muffin tins and cupcake tins? ›

Is There a Difference Between a Cupcake Pan and a Muffin Pan? What is this? Muffin pans and cupcake pans are exactly the same. However, in yet another difference between cupcakes and muffins, cupcakes always use liners and muffins are often baked without liners.

Spices and Flavorings. Give your muffin or pancake mix an extra kick by adding a teaspoon or two of your favorite powdered spice. Some of my go-to additions are cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and allspice. But have some fun and figure out what works best with your mix.

To remove any baked-on residue on the top of the pan, grab a sturdy pan scraper. Combined with hot, soapy water, it will quickly remove even burnt-on bits. Rinse the pan thoroughly, then dry.

You can use either a non-stick spray or olive oil spray, or butter/coconut oil. I prefer a spray because it's easier to get into the nooks and crannies without making a huge mess scooping out a chunk of coconut oil or butter and trying to spread it around.

The good news is that you can bake muffins without using any liners at all. Muffins will pop out seamlessly from the pan, as long as you make sure to grease the baking tin generously prior to filling the muffin cups with batter.

Are cupcake liners really needed for cupcakes/muffins? No. You can make them in the cupcake pan. Grease the cups before putting the batter in & let them cool a little before taking them out of the pan.

Unwrapping temperature

Muffins often stick to the bottom of the wrapper because we're more likely to try to eat them warm, while cupcakes are cooled entirely so we can frost them. Cakes and muffins shrink a bit as they cool, so they'll actually loosen their grip on the wrapper slightly as they come to room temperature.