Using a Silicone Muffin Pan

My contribution to a recent post-pickleball brunch was pumpkin muffins from Trader Joes.  I know that’s more of an autumn recipe than a spring one, but hey, it’s what I had in my pantry.  And you know I’m all about using what I have.

Anyway, the muffins weren’t really all that pumpkinish.  I would have called them spice muffins.  And they were gluten free and they tasted good.

I thought this would be a good chance to compare using the silicone muffin pan I bought recently and a regular old muffin tin with liners.

Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly.  About the pans and about the mix.

The Good

The muffin mix only called for oil, two eggs and water.  It mixed up easily with a whisk – no special mixer or bowl.  Win for me.

The silicone pan needed no greasing and is the perfect size for smallish muffins.  I filled the cups about 2/3 full and they baked up perfectly.

The muffin tin holds six muffins and the mix fit was the perfect amount to share between the two pans.

Both pans cooked at the same temperature and both fit on the same oven rack so they could bake at the same time. 

Because our oven is built in, I try to avoid using it as much as possible because the cooling fan runs forever.  As in hours.  Really.

The silicone pan is too large to really fit in the countertop convection oven.  Not sure that is really a bad, just a note.

The Bad

Well, here’s the thing.  The muffin tin muffins come right out and the tin can go right back into the cupboard with no cleaning.

The silicon pan gets just a tiny amount of baked goods in the bottom so each individual part needs to be cleaned.  It’s not really stuck on there, but it needs attention, for sure.  I found the best way was to turn the cups inside out and wash each one.

I might try spraying the bottom with avocado oil next time.

However, the silicone muffins are whole when they are removed and ready to eat.  After peeling off the muffin paper on the tin muffins, you actually lose quite a bit of food.  That could be going in your tummy.

The Ugly

There is no ugly.  There is only these cute. As in these spring potholders I got at the dollar store.  I’m sure they are no good, but I didn’t burn myself and they cheered me.

I think I recommend using the silicone muffin pan when I can, but I’ll most certainly use alongside the tin next time to avoid baking two batches.

Spring Dining Table

On another note, I used old décor I already have and added a splash of beautiful color in Trader Joes tulips for our dining table.

I wanted to share all this spring color before Easter.  Amazing how fast time flies.  Even when you’re not doing much.

Enjoy your Passover or Easter and blessings.