Copper Muffin Pans: Grease Or Not?

Greasing a muffin pan is an important step in the muffin-making process. Greasing the pan ensures that your muffins don't stick to the sides of the pan and can be easily removed once baked. There are several ways to grease a muffin pan, including using vegetable oil sprays, butter, shortening, clarified butter, or professional baking grease. Some bakers prefer to use paper or aluminium foil wrappers as a non-grease alternative.

Using butter to grease copper muffin pans

Greasing your muffin pans is essential to prevent your muffins from sticking to the pan. While there are many ways to grease a muffin pan, using butter is one of the best ways to do so without using a spray. Here is a step-by-step guide on using butter to grease copper muffin pans:

Step 1: Clean and Dry Your Muffin Pan

Before you start greasing, ensure that your muffin pan is completely clean and dry. Use scouring pads to remove any baked-on bits of food from previous bakes. However, if you own a non-stick muffin pan, avoid using scouring pads as they can scratch the coating and ruin your pan. Instead, soak the non-stick pan in warm soapy water and scrub with a gentle sponge to remove any food residue.

Step 2: Prepare the Butter

You can use butter in two ways: at room temperature or melted. If you choose to use room temperature butter, peel back the packaging to expose one end of the stick of butter. If you prefer to use melted butter, place a small amount of butter in a saucepan and melt it over low heat. Alternatively, you can melt the butter in a microwave in short intervals.

Step 3: Grease the Muffin Pan

Now it's time to grease your copper muffin pans with butter. If using room temperature butter, hold the exposed end of the stick and grease the pan, making sure to reach all the crevices of the muffin cups. Use your finger to spread the butter around evenly. With melted butter, dip a pastry brush into the butter and lightly coat each muffin cup, ensuring you get the bottom, sides, and corners. If you don't have a pastry brush, you can use a wadded-up paper towel or a clean paintbrush.

Step 4: Absorb Excess Butter

When using melted butter, there might be some butter pooling at the bottom of each muffin cup. Use a few paper towels to absorb any excess butter so that it doesn't affect the texture of your muffins.

Tips for Using Butter:

• You only need a small amount of butter for greasing muffin pans. One to two tablespoons of butter is sufficient for 2-3 muffin tins.
• If melting butter on the stovetop, turn off the heat once it's partially melted. It will continue to melt from the residual heat.
• When melting butter in the microwave, do it in short intervals of 5-10 seconds to avoid overheating.
• If you don't have butter, you can use other alternatives like cooking spray, shortening, paper liners, or parchment paper.

Using cooking spray

When using cooking spray on a muffin pan, it is important to ensure that the spray is applied evenly to each cup without getting too much built up in the bottom. Vegetable oil sprays are a popular option, but other options include coconut oil spray, olive oil spray, and butter spray.

To apply the cooking spray, shake the bottle and hold it a few inches away from the pan. Spray the pan lightly and evenly until each cup is greased. Be careful not to use too much spray, as this can cause the edges of the muffins to become too crispy. If a pool of spray forms in the bottom of the cups, use a paper towel to spread the oil evenly and remove any excess.

In addition to cooking spray, there are other methods to prevent muffins from sticking to the pan, such as using paper or aluminium liners, or cutting parchment paper into 5-inch pieces and placing them into each cup of the pan.

Using paper liners

There are many types of paper liners available, including standard white, ridged muffin liners, and more expensive tulip liners made out of parchment paper. You can even make your own muffin liners out of parchment paper by cutting the paper into squares and placing them into each slot of your cupcake tin. If you don't have parchment paper, you can also use a small can (like a tomato paste can) to push the paper down into the mold.

Paper liners can also be used in combination with greasing the muffin tins. Some bakers prefer to spray the liners with cooking spray as well. This can help prevent chunks of cake from sticking to the paper when you peel it off, especially with more delicate cupcakes.

It's important to note that the type of paper liner you use can affect the colour of your muffins or cupcakes. For example, if you're baking dark chocolate cupcakes, the colour may bleed through a colourful paper liner, muddying its design. In this case, you can try using foil cups or doubling up on the paper liners to keep the outside layer bright.

Paper liners can also affect the shape of your muffins or cupcakes. For example, the insulation of the paper can help create a nice domed top, as seen with donut muffins. It can also keep the sides of the muffins or cupcakes soft and prevent burning.

Overall, using paper liners is a convenient and sanitary option for baking muffins or cupcakes, especially when combined with greasing the tins. It can also add a nice touch to the presentation of your baked goods.

Using parchment paper

To make your own muffin liners out of parchment paper, you'll need a small can that fits snugly into your muffin tin—a can of tomato paste works well for standard-sized muffin tins. You'll also need a ruler (optional) and scissors.

Here's how to make them:

• Cut the parchment paper into squares that are about 4.5 to 6 inches across, depending on the size of your muffin tins. For regular-sized muffin cups, cut the paper into 4- to 5-inch squares. For extra-tall muffins or cupcakes, cut 6-inch squares.
• Place the parchment paper over the base of your can. Most parchment paper tends to curl in one direction from being rolled up. If yours does, turn the curl away from the can. This will help the muffin liners spread open a bit when you put them in your muffin tin, making it easier to add the batter.
• Run your finger or thumbnail around the base of the can to make a strong crease in the parchment. Press your hand firmly along the parchment against the can to set the creases.
• Transfer the muffin liner to the muffin tin. You can place the can in the liner to help set it firmly in place.
• Fill the liner with muffin or cupcake batter and bake as usual.

Using professional baking grease

Professional baking grease is a great option for greasing muffin pans. It is available at cake supply and many online stores. You can also make it yourself by mixing equal parts shortening, flour, and oil until light and fluffy. This mixture can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, refrigerated for 5 months, or frozen for a year.

To use professional baking grease, simply apply a light layer to your muffin pan, making sure to get into all the crevices. You can use a pastry brush, your fingers, or a paper towel to do this. If using melted butter or a butter alternative, be sure to let it cool slightly before applying to avoid having it pool at the bottom of each muffin cup. You can use a paper towel to soak up any excess grease.

It is important to note that while muffin pans with a non-stick surface are popular, this does not mean your muffins won't stick to the sides of each cup. Therefore, it is crucial to grease or line each cavity of a non-stick pan properly. Darker muffin pans will also likely bake your muffins more quickly, so be sure to grease them well and keep a close eye on your muffins as they bake.

In addition to professional baking grease, there are several other options for greasing muffin pans, including butter, cooking spray, shortening, liners, and parchment paper. However, the high melting point of professional baking grease makes it a great choice for ensuring your muffins release perfectly every time.

Frequently asked questions