Tassie cups refer to small cups used in baking. They can refer to small tart shells made of pastry or a muffin pan with smaller-than-usual-sized cups. Tassie cups are used to make miniature treats that can be filled with sweet or savoury fillings. In the American South, small muffin cups are also called tassie pans, and the cups in the pan are called tassie cups.
Muffin tins, which are a type of baking dish used to make American-style muffins or cupcakes, typically come in three sizes: jumbo, standard, and mini. Each cup in a standard muffin tin holds between 1/3 and 1/2 cup of batter. Mini muffin tins will hold between 1/8 and 1/4 cup of batter.
What You'll Learn
Tassie cups are small tart shells made of pastry
Tassie cups are small, bite-sized tarts that can be filled with sweet or savoury fillings. The word "tassie" comes from the Scottish word for "small cup". Tassie cups can refer to either the pastry shells themselves or to a muffin pan with smaller-than-usual cups.
If a recipe directs you to "buy (or make) tassie cups", it means pastry shells. Otherwise, the recipe will specify something like "foil tassie cups".
Tassie cups are typically made from a blend of cream cheese and butter, with flour added to give the pastry structure. The dough is then shaped into small balls and pressed into the bottom and up the sides of miniature muffin tins. The cups are then filled and baked.
Some recipes suggest using a rolling pin to roll out the dough to a thickness of no more than 1/4", using a round cookie cutter to cut out circles, and then pressing the circles into the muffin tins.
Another option is to use your fingers to press the dough directly into the muffin tins, ensuring that it is even on the bottom and sides of the tin. You can use more dough if you prefer a thicker crust.
Tassie cups can be filled with a variety of sweet or savoury fillings. Sweet fillings might include a mix of brown sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, and pecans or other nuts. Savoury fillings could include broccoli and cheddar.
Tassie cups are a great option for parties and special occasions, as they are a welcomed finger food. They can be stored at room temperature for up to five days or in the fridge for up to two weeks. They can also be frozen and then thawed overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for about an hour.
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Tassie pans are used to make bite-sized treats
Tassie pans are perfect for creating miniature, bite-sized treats such as tarts, pies, and cookies. They are a great way to portion control and ensure that your treats are uniformly sized. The small size of the tassie pans also means that you can create a variety of treats with different fillings or toppings, allowing you to experiment with different flavours and ingredients.
When using tassie pans, it is important to note that they typically hold less batter than standard muffin pans. Therefore, you will need to adjust your recipe accordingly to ensure that your treats do not overflow during baking. Additionally, greasing the pans or using baking cups or liners can help ensure that your treats do not stick to the pans and make them easier to remove once baked.
Tassie pans are a versatile and fun way to create bite-sized treats that are perfect for parties, holidays, or any other special occasion. They allow you to get creative and experiment with different flavours and ingredients in a small, manageable portion. So, whether you are making sweet treats or savoury bites, tassie pans are a great addition to your baking arsenal!
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Tassie cups are also known as fairy cake pans in England
Tassie cups refer to small cups used in baking. They can refer to small, bite-sized tart shells made of pastry, or a muffin pan with smaller-than-usual-sized cups. The term comes from the Scottish word "tassie", which means "cup", derived from the French word "tasse". These cups are used to make pecan tassies, miniature pecan pies with a shortbread crust shell cup and a pecan pie-like filling.
In England, tassie cups are known as fairy cake pans. Fairy cakes are smaller than cupcakes and are often drizzled with icing and sometimes topped with sprinkles. They are traditionally a simple Victoria sponge mixture. Fairy cakes are also sold in multipacks, whereas cupcakes are sold by the unit.
Fairy cakes are made using the creaming method, where the sugar and butter are mixed together, followed by the eggs and then the flour. This is the same method used for cupcakes. Muffins, on the other hand, are made by combining the dry and wet ingredients separately before mixing them together, and the batter contains more liquid, resulting in a denser product.
When it comes to pan measurements, the volume of batter a pan can hold is important to consider when substituting cake pans. For example, an 8x2-inch round pan holds 6 cups of batter, while a 9x2-inch round pan holds 8 cups, the same as an 8x2-inch square pan and a 9x5-inch loaf pan. It's important to note that pans should only be filled halfway or 2/3 full to allow for rising, unless otherwise specified in a recipe.
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Tassie cups can be made from foil
Tassie cups are small cups used for baking, derived from the Scottish word "tassie", which means cup. They are used to make miniature treats, such as bite-sized tarts, that can be filled with sweet or savoury fillings.
To make tassie cups from foil, you can follow these general steps:
- Make the dough: In a small bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Then, gradually beat in all-purpose flour.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate until it is firm enough to roll, usually about an hour.
- Shape the cups: Preheat the oven to 350-375°F. Shape the chilled dough into small balls, usually about 1-inch in diameter. Press each ball evenly into the bottom and up the sides of greased mini muffin cups. You can use the bottom of a shot glass or a wooden tamper to help press the dough evenly into each cup.
- Bake the cups: Place the shaped dough in the oven and bake until lightly browned, usually for around 15-20 minutes.
- Cool the cups: Remove the tassie cups from the oven and let them cool. For some recipes, you may need to let them cool in the pans for a couple of minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
By making tassie cups from foil, you can create a delicious and elegant presentation for your bite-sized treats.
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Tassie pans can be used to make both sweet and savoury treats
Tassie cups refer to "small cups" in baking. This can mean small tart shells made of pastry, or a muffin pan with smaller-than-usual-sized cups. The word "tassie" comes from the Scottish word for "cup", derived from the French "tasse".
Tassie pans can be used to make a variety of sweet and savoury treats. For example, you can make the following with a tassie pan:
- Pecan tassies: miniature treats with a shortbread crust shell cup and a pecan pie-like filling.
- German chocolate tassies: a brownie-like recipe with the addition of pecans.
- Pumpkin pecan tassies: a combination of pumpkin and chocolate in a cookie.
- Pineapple coconut tassies: a tropical twist on the traditional tassie, with a fruity filling.
- Chocolate-mint cookie cups: chocolate and mint combined in a cookie cup.
- French noisette cups: tassie-style treats with a toasted hazelnut flavour.
- Cream cheese cookie cups: a quick and easy dessert option.
- Marzipan cups with currant jelly: bite-sized treats with a delicate almond flavour.
- Broccoli-cheddar tassies: an appetiser inspired by broccoli casserole.
The options are endless when it comes to tassie pans, and they are perfect for creating bite-sized treats for any occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
Tassie pans are muffin tins with smaller-than-usual cups. They are also known as fairy cake pans in England.
Tassie cups are smaller than the standard size of 2" x 1 1/4".
The most common size for traditional-sized cupcakes or muffins is 2" x 1 1/4". Mini baking cups have a 1" diameter, while jumbo cups can be 3 1/2" in diameter.
You should use mini baking cups for tassie pans.