Ask Rachel: Muffins

Tim C said...
If you are cooking muffins, what's the best way to avoid having the base and sides of the muffins stick to the tray?

Dear Tim,

Thanks for your question!

The first step is to have a quality non-stick muffin tin. Look for "Teflon" on the label.

Beyond that, there are several options, and most are efficient enough that it could be a matter of preference.

The most obvious: Muffin cups. These are small paper cups that you can use to line the muffin tin. They are available in the baking aisle at your neighborhood grocery store. There are several colors and patterns available, so they could be used to add flair to a themed event, such as a birthday party or funeral. Muffin cups are most effective for cupcakes, which tend not to spill over the cup as they bake.

I know what you're thinking. What if my muffins spill over and stick to the top of the pan?

Use a non-stick cooking spray, such as PAM, for the top of the pan. You could also skip the paper liners and just spray the whole pan, which leads to a smoother surface around the edges of the muffin.

If you don't have cooking spray, here's a fun and easy improvisation:

Step 1: Put a baggie over your hand.

Step 2: Use your fingers to dip the baggie into a stick of butter or tub of margarine. I guess if you didn't have either of those things available you could use something gross like Crisco.

Step 3: Rub the butter in and around the muffin pan.

This option leads to a nice buttery flavor in the crust of the muffin. It is especially fun for kids, though it is surely not the most time-efficient method.

Again, thanks for your question. Happy Baking!

P.S. It is noted that our demonstrator is not using a high-quality teflon pan.


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