65 Muffin Cup Recipes You'll Want to Make ASAP (2024)

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65 Muffin Cup Recipes You'll Want to Make ASAP (1)Caroline Stanko

65 Muffin Cup Recipes You'll Want to Make ASAP (2)Katie BandurskiUpdated: Feb. 27, 2024

    Use your muffin pan to make individual portions of recipes for breakfast, dinner or dessert. Great for parties, holidays or family dinners, you'll want to double these muffin tin recipes so there's enough to go around!

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    Cheeseburger Mini Muffins

    I invented this cute muffin tin recipe so I could enjoy the flavor of cheeseburgers without resorting to fast food. I often freeze a batch and reheat however many I need, including as appetizers. —Teresa Kraus, Cortez, Colorado

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    Taste of Home

    Loaded Chicken Carbonara Cups

    Spaghetti cupcakes with a chicken carbonara twist make for a tasty, fun family dinner. Whole wheat pasta and reduced-fat ingredients make these quick and easy little pasta cakes nutritional winners, too. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

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    Muffin-Tin Scrambled Eggs

    I made these one year at Christmas as a way to save time, and they were a big hit. I have to make a large batch because my husband and boys can polish them off in a short amount of time. These also freeze very well, if there are any left! —Jill Darin, Geneseo, Illinois

    Go to Recipe

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    Easy Taco Cups

    These zesty little cups rank high on my list of favorites because they combine three things I look for in a recipe: fast, easy and delicious! They make a simply fantastic finger food for parties, and my guests have fun selecting their desired toppings.
    —Ashley Jarvies, Manassa, CO

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    Taste of Home

    Lasagna Cups

    I love lasagna and garlic bread, so it only made sense to put them together in these fun little cups. Have one as an appetizer or two for a meal! —Angelique Douglas, Maryville, Illinois

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    Dulce de Leche Hot Chocolate Pods

    Who doesn’t love a steamy mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day? Now you can give friends, neighbors, co-workers or anyone who deserves a treat the pleasure of this indulgent drink with these giftable hot chocolate pods. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    Make-Ahead Eggs Benedict Toast Cups

    When I was growing up, we had a family tradition of having eggs Benedict with champagne and orange juice for our Christmas breakfast. But now that I’m cooking, a fussy breakfast isn’t my style. I wanted to come up with a dish I could make ahead that would mimic the flavors of traditional eggs Benedict and would also freeze well. Friends, all I can say is, this one fits the bill! —Lyndsay Wells, Ladysmith, British Columbia

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    Pepper Jelly Hogs in a Blanket

    We are addicted to these grown-up hogs in a blanket! There’s so much flavor for such bite-sized appetizers. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri

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    Taste of Home

    Tuna Noodle Cups

    Older kids can get a jump on preparing dinner by stirring up these miniature tuna casseroles. Or serve them for brunch with fresh fruit, a tossed salad and rolls. —Marlene Pugh, Fort McMurray, Alberta

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    Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

    “Cordon Bleu” is a French phrase meaning “blue ribbon”—given as a prize for culinary excellence. The term also refers to a signature dish of chicken topped with a slice of ham and Swiss cheese, usually breaded and sauteed, or in this case, wrapped in puff pastry for a quick and easy finish. —Sharon Laabs, Hartford, Wisconsin

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    Nut Butter Cups

    My indulgent, nutty treat is simple to make and looks fabulous. At our house, we use all-natural ingredients for them. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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    Taste of Home

    Ramen Sliders

    I grew up eating ramen and love it to this day. A fun spin on my favorite type of noodle soup, these sliders are topped with an egg and kimchi. —Julie Teramoto, Los Angeles, California

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    Broccoli Quiche Cups

    Make this crustless quiche in muffin cups or in a regular-size pie tin. Either way, there’s plenty of bacon-y, cheesy goodness to go around. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas

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    Taste of Home

    Shortcut Coconut-Pecan Chocolate Tassies

    You can garnish these cookies with pecan halves or a couple of chocolate chips before baking, or drizzle with a little melted chocolate after taking them out of the oven. —Deb Villenauve, Krakow, Wisconsin

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    Parmesan Mushroom Tartlets

    My easy tartlets loaded with a cheesy mushroom filling take advantage of refrigerated crescent roll dough. I think they’re best warm from the oven with a sprinkling of green onion.—Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota

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    Mini Sausage Pies

    The simple ingredients and family-friendly flavor of these little sausage cups make them a go-to dinner favorite. And everyone gets their own pies—which makes them even better! —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida

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    Farmhouse Barbecue Muffins

    Cheddar cheese, fluffy biscuits and BBQ sauce combine to make these hearty muffins. Try them with ground turkey or other shredded cheeses to vary the flavor. —Karen Kenney, Harvard, Illinois

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    Chicken Tostada Cups

    Several years ago I tried a version of these cups at a restaurant in Santa Fe, and I wanted to make my own spin. These are great for gatherings where you can let everyone add their own favorite toppings. —Marla Clark, Moriarty, New Mexico

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    Taste of Home

    Pigs in a Pool

    My kids love sausages and pancakes but making them during the week was out of the question. I bought the frozen variety on a stick but wasn’t keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs-in-a-blanket is a tasty, thrifty alternative. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina

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    Taste of Home

    Easy Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes

    Cheesecake is the ultimate comfort food, but a big slice can be too rich. These bite-sized cheesecakes topped with apples and creamy caramel dazzle the senses. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota

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    Taste of Home

    Mini Corn Muffins with Spicy Cheddar Filling

    I’m an Iowa gardener and I like to feature sweet corn in my muffin tin recipes. These cute, easy-to-eat bites are a fun change from the usual appetizers. —Margaret Blair, Lorimor, Iowa

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    Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. To my surprise, it was the adults who devoured these mini mac and cheese bites. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York

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    24/62

    Taste of Home

    Mini Shepherd's Pies

    I’m as confident serving these little pies to company as to family. If I have enough time, I’ll use homemade biscuits and mashed potatoes. —Ellen Osborne, Clarksville, Tennessee

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    25/62

    Taste of Home

    When you make this in muffin cups, each person gets a quiche. I have also doubled the recipe and used jumbo muffin cups; bake about 10 minutes longer. —Gena Stout, Ravenden, Arkansas

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    Buffalo Chicken Biscuits

    These spicy, savory muffins are always a hit at parties. We love them as a simple snack on game day, too. —Jasmin Baron, Livonia, New York

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    27/62

    Italian Honey Clusters

    My mother made these treats flavored with cinnamon and anise for neighbors, teachers and anyone who stopped by. Make sure the honey doesn’t boil longer than a minute or it could burn.—Sarah Knoblock, Hyde Park, Indiana

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    Brie Cherry Pastry Cups

    Golden brown and flaky, these bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves could easily double as a scrumptious dessert. —Marilyn McSween, Mentor, Ohio

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    BLT Muffins

    These muffins prove that the classic combo of bacon, lettuce and tomato is good for so much more than a sandwich. They're winners at both breakfast and dinner. —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota

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    Ham Muffinwiches

    I concocted this fun recipe when I was looking for something to pack for lunch. I had leftover ham but no bread, so I got creative with cornbread mix. They freeze well and are handy for an on-the-go breakfast or lunch. —Jenny Wiebe, Villa Hills, Kentucky

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    Every spring, we had strawberries and rhubarb on our farm outside Seattle. These fruity hand pies remind me of those times and of Grandma Winnie’s baking. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California

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    Taste of Home

    Hash Brown Quiche Cups

    Quiche cups are my showstopper potluck dish. Hash browns and Asiago cheese make up the crusts. Eggs, spinach and bacon do the rest. —Nicole Stone, Gilbertville, Iowa

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    Creamy Frozen Fruit Cups

    I love to prepare these cool, fluffy fruit cups to give a refreshing boost to many meals. They've been well received at family gatherings and summer barbecues. There's no last-minute fuss since you make them well in advance. —Karen Hatcher, St. Amant, Louisiana

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    Taste of Home

    Muffin-Cup Cheddar Beef Pies

    My kids love these beef rolls so much. I always make extra since they heat up so quickly. I give the kids their choice of dipping sauces—spaghetti sauce or ranch dressing are the top picks. —Kimberly Farmer, Wichita, Kansas

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    Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins

    I wanted to riff on hot dogs, so I made corn dog muffins. I added jalapenos to this kid-friendly recipe and won my husband over, too. —Becky Tarala, Palm Coast, Florida

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    Taste of Home

    Pecan Butter Tarts

    I searched for the perfect butter tart for ages. After many attempts, I discovered this favorite that begs for a scoop of ice cream on top. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio

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    Cheddar Ham Cups

    When a college classmate and I threw a party for our professor, a friend contributed these savory appetizers. Everyone in the class requested the recipe before the party was done. Try the cups with chicken instead of ham if you'd like.-Brandi LadnerGulfport, Mississippi

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    Taste of Home

    Cloverleaf Rolls

    When I was a girl, it was a rare occasion when Mom made a gourmet meal. Most often, she relied on traditional muffin tin recipes like this one. My sister and I ate more than our share of these versatile golden rolls.
    -Brenda DuFresne, Midland, Michigan

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    Quiche Pastry Cups

    My grandmother used to make egg cup surprises for family brunches on special occasions. The added fillings were always a surprise since she never seemed to use the same combination of ingredients twice. As children, we took guesses as to what we'd find in the tender crust—the game always added fun to our meals. —Denalee Standart, Rancho Mureta, California

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    Loaded Pulled Pork Cups

    Potato nests are simple to make and surprisingly handy for pulled pork, cheese, sour cream and other toppings. Make, bake and collect the compliments. —Melissa Sperka, Greensboro, North Carolina

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    Taste of Home

    Mini Sausage Quiches

    These bite-sized quiches are loaded with sausage and cheese—and all nestled into easy crescent roll dough. Serve the cute muffinettes at any brunch or potluck gathering. —Jan Mead, Milford, Connecticut

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    Orange-Cranberry Nut Tarts

    My friend gave me a recipe for orange cookies. I just had to embellish it. Now my friends and family crave these tarts. —Nancy Bruce, Big Timber, Montana

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    Sloppy Joe Biscuit Cups

    I’m a busy teacher and mom, so weekday meals with shortcuts are a huge help. I always have to share the recipe when I take these to school. —Julie Ahern, Waukegan, Illinois

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    Taste of Home

    Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Cornbread Poppers

    These fun little apps are an instant conversation starter wherever they’re served. We love them on game day, but they’d be a hit at brunch, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota

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    TMB Studio

    Baked Veggie Cups

    These colorful veggie cups are not only tasty, but they also pack in a surprising amount of nutrition! The addition of mozzarella and Parmesan is the perfect Italian touch. —Cathy Horvath, Surrey, British Columbia

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    Taste of Home

    Mini Beef Tourtieres

    Here’s a twist on the traditional tourtiere recipe. Ground beef replaces pork, and cream cheese pastry takes the place of pie pastry. The filled mini cups make a melt-in-your-mouth addition to a buffet. —Cheryl Bruneau, Winnipeg, Manitoba

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    Eggland's Best®

    Crepe Quiche Cups

    When it comes to trying new muffin tin recipes, I’m always up for the challenge, and crepe cups have turned out to be one of my favorite things to serve while entertaining. They’re a nice change for breakfast on those holiday mornings when family is gathered around. —Sheryl Riley, Unionville, Missouri

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    Trail Mix Cookie Cups

    My granddaughter helped create these cookie cups for the first time by using ingredients from my pantry and fridge. We used trail mix to jazz them up. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia

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    TMB Studio

    Mini Ham Quiches

    These quiches are delightful for brunch when you don’t want to fuss. Replace
    the ham with bacon, sausage, chicken or shrimp, or use chopped onion, red pepper or zucchini instead of olives. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon

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    Meat Loaf Muffins

    Serve these tangy meat loaf muffins for dinner or slice them up for a take-along sandwich lunch. They're just as flavorful after freezing. —Cheryl Norwood, Canton, Georgia

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    Taste of Home

    Mini Sausage Quiches

    These bite-sized quiches are loaded with sausage and cheese—and all nestled into easy crescent roll dough. Serve the cute muffinettes at any brunch or potluck gathering. —Jan Mead, Milford, Connecticut

    Go to Recipe

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    Mini Pork Pies

    As a child, I discovered my love of pork pies. I used to help my father deliver oil on Saturdays, and we would stop at a local place to have the meaty pastries for lunch. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island

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    Maple Toast and Eggs

    My home's in the country, right next door to my sister and brother-in-law's. They and their two children all enjoy this dish each time I serve it as a special evening meal—although it can also be made for breakfast or lunch. —Susan Buttel, Plattsburgh, New York

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    Meat Loaf Muffins

    Serve these tangy meat loaf muffins for dinner or slice them up for a take-along sandwich lunch. They’re just as flavorful after freezing. —Cheryl Norwood, Canton, Georgia

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    Ground Beef Snack Quiches

    My husband, Cory, farms, so supper can sometimes be quite late. A hearty appetizer like these meaty mini quiches is a perfect way to start the meal. They taste super made with ground beef, but I sometimes substitute bacon, ham, ground pork or sausage. —Stacy Atkinson, Rugby, North Dakota

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    Taste of Home

    Stuffin' Muffins

    If you love stuffing, you won’t be able to get enough of these fun muffin cups that make use of not only leftover stuffing but also green beans, turkey, mashed potatoes, cheddar and gravy. It’s a taste of Thanksgiving in every bite! —Pauline Porterfield, Roxboro, North Carolina

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    Egg Baskets Benedict

    A little puff pastry turns Canadian bacon and eggs into a tasty update on eggs Benedict. We use a packaged hollandaise or cheese sauce for the finish. —Sally Jackson, Fort Worth, Texas

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    Muffin-Tin Tamale Cakes

    We needed snack inspiration beyond peanut butter and jelly. These muffin tamales have all of the flavor of tamales without the fuss. Pair with skewered fruit. —Suzanne Clark, Phoenix, Arizona

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    Garlic Bread Mini Muffins

    These little garlic bread bites make a terrific addition to any buffet spread. We make sure to serve them warm. —Kathy Yarosh, Apopka, Florida

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    Broccoli-Cheddar Tassies

    Our family adores broccoli casserole. I wanted to try it as an appetizer, so I used a pecan tassie recipe for the crust. The result? We’re talking scrumptious. —Gail Gaiser, Ewing, New Jersey

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    Taste of Home

    Bacon-Sausage Quiche Tarts

    As a teacher, I attend many meetings and also have special celebrations with rest of the staff. The other teachers are very fond of this treat and often request that I bring it to our functions. —Jackie Milliken, Pittsboro, North Carolina

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    Originally Published: September 20, 2021

    65 Muffin Cup Recipes You'll Want to Make ASAP (61)

    Caroline Stanko

    Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.

    65 Muffin Cup Recipes You'll Want to Make ASAP (62)

    Katie Bandurski

    As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.

    65 Muffin Cup Recipes You'll Want to Make ASAP (2024)

    FAQs

    How to make muffins without muffin cups? ›

    Use parchment paper instead of cups, Chapple says, for an upgraded case for your muffins or cupcakes, and you'll never worry about cupcake liners again.

    How to make a muffin cup out of paper? ›

    All you need is regular parchment paper. Cut the parchment into squares and then press them around a mold that's roughly the same size as your muffin cup — in my case, a small can of V8 juice did the job quite nicely. I like five-inch squares of parchment for regular-sized muffin cups.

    How much liquid does a muffin cup hold? ›

    A muffin tin cup commonly holds about 1/2 cup of liquid, which makes it useful for leftovers. Carefully pour the liquids into the muffin tin.

    What is the use of muffin pan? ›

    Muffin pans are used for holding batters or mixes while they bake in the oven. Muffin pans are usually made to make muffins and cupcakes. Other uses for muffin pans include homemade peanut butter cups, baked egg cups, or even some types of no-bake desserts.

    What to do if you run out of muffin cups? ›

    The Best Cupcake Liner Alternative

    Cut a sheet of parchment paper into 5-inch wide strips. Cut each strip down into roughly 5-inch squares (muffin pan cups vary in size, but you generally want squares larger than the indent. Jumbo pans might require squares closer to 6 inches wide).

    What can you use instead of paper for muffin cups? ›

    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.

    Can you make muffins without paper cups? ›

    You can bake excellent muffins or cupcakes and remove them safely from pans without using baking liners as long you effectively grease your baking pan. If you don't want to bother with liners or make a special trip to the store, you're not alone.

    Can you bake cupcakes in paper cups without a pan? ›

    Method 1: Paper cupcake liners can work without a cupcake tray, especially if you are careful not to overfill the liners. You can then place them in a snug pan that will keep 5-6 paper liners upright.

    Do you fill unused muffin cups with water? ›

    Your muffins will come out exactly the same whether the empty cups are filled with water or not. Adding or not adding the water shouldn't effect your muffin pan, either, so go ahead and fill only half the muffin cups with batter if you like. For more tips on making muffins, see our video, How to Make Bran Muffins.

    What is the difference between a Texas muffin and a regular muffin? ›

    Standard muffin cup is about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and holds 1/4 to 1/3 cup batter. Giant or Texas-size muffin cup is about 3 ½ inches in diameter and holds 5/8 cup batter.

    Is it better to take muffins out of pan hot or cold? ›

    Instead of immediately starting to cool, the hot pan will continue to cook the muffins, which might cause them to dry out. → Follow this tip: After removing the muffins from the oven, give them a couple minutes to cool off a little, and then remove them and transfer to a cooling rack.

    Are silicone or metal muffin pans better? ›

    For this reason, a steel core coated with aluminum (AKA "aluminized steel") is a popular choice. There are also pans made entirely of silicone, which is completely nonstick and can go from oven to fridge or freezer. However, silicone can't conduct heat as well as metal.

    Why do my muffins always stick to the pan? ›

    The amount of fat in the muffin batter affects how easily the baked muffin can be removed from the pan. Lightly spray the bottom of each muffin cup with no-stick cooking spray or use paper or aluminum foil cup liners.

    Can you make muffins without muffin cases? ›

    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.

    Do you have to use muffin cups when baking muffins? ›

    You can bake excellent muffins or cupcakes and remove them safely from pans without using baking liners as long you effectively grease your baking pan. If you don't want to bother with liners or make a special trip to the store, you're not alone. Here are some reasons to avoid muffin liners: Liners are not required.

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