Substitute for Muffin Paper Liners

The muffin paper, a staple of muffins and cupcakes everywhere both homemade and commercial, is not the only option. You see them all the time, and while they are convenient, they are not the only option and sometimes are not the preferred choice for serving baked treats. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Old Standard

The tried and true method for baked goods, including cakes, muffins and cupcakes, is to grease the pan or cup before adding the batter. The muffins and cakes come out with a slightly more crisp outside, and with no paper to seal them will not become mushy as quickly. Simply use a very light spray of non-stick vegetable cooking and baking spray in each cup, or rub the inside of the cup with a dab of shortening using a paper towel wrapped around your finger.

New Tech

Reusable is a common theme in the modern world and has led to many innovations, including silicone bake ware. This includes silicone muffin tin liners. These flexible liners are made to keep the muffins and cupcakes from sticking, yet they are removed as soon as the treats are cooled. Nothing to throw away and your muffins and cupcakes look pretty without the use of paper liners. Simply pop the silicone liners into the tin, fill with batter and bake as normal. The liners are removed when the muffins are done and washed for the next use.

Make Your Own

Parchment paper is a highly useful baking assistant, and when you don't wish to use the ordinary liners, you can use this to make your own. Whether you ran out of paper cups or simply don't like them, parchment is an excellent choice, and creates a more crisp outside to the muffins, which many people prefer to the mush of ordinary paper liners. Cut a 5-inch circle or square of the parchment paper, then press it down into the tin. Crease where needed to make it smooth against the sides, then fill with batter and bake as normal.

Foil

Aluminum foil is another alternative to paper muffin cup liners, and can be in the create your own version or purchased already in cup form. Foil is a dressier method of lining cups if you choose to use the purchased product, and comes in a variety of colors and styles. If you wish to make your own, simply cut a 5-inch heavy duty aluminum foil circle and line the cup with it before baking. One note on foil is that it may stick to the muffins so is not a good method when you intend to remove the liner before serving.