Little trick to help get muffins out of muffin tins in one piece....

[barbara-in-va]

I use non stick muffin pans and then coat them with crisco before filling them and remove them after a couple of minutes of cooling. In spite of all that there are some muffins that insist on sticking to the pan, especially blueberry ones. I found that a plastic orange peeler, the kind that is the shape and length of a crochet hook, works really well. I use the flat end to run around the rim to loosen the muffin enough to coax it out in one piece. The small size and slight flexibility of the peeler is perfect! And, it doesn't scratch the non stick pan.

 

[patbastrop]

Fabulous! I love it when those little tools take on a life of their own, doing what needs to be done

 

[luisa_calif]

Hey, You should send that in to CI

 

[nan]

saw tip that suggested a new, clean shoe horn for muffins. And a 35mm film canister for smoooshing

crumb crusts into muffin cups for mini cheesecakes or quiche??

have not seen the orange peeler? can think of several applications

thanks,
Nan

 

[angak]

smoooshing---I like that!

 

[nan]

it won't be long before someone asks, "what is a 35mm film canister?"

 

[marilynfl]

Too true!

 

[pat-nocal]

Wine corks work for smooshing crumb crusts too and I'm sure they won't

be going out of style any time soon (or at least I hope not...heehee). But thumbs and fingers work well too and always readily available. )

 

[curious1]

Lol, don't be too sure...read about this recently in a wine mag, found this article on line.

http://wine.about.com/od/storingwines/a/Screwcaps.htm

 

[pat-nocal]

Ha! Well, at least we'll have our thumbs. ;o)

Which once again proves our hands are one of the best tools in the kitchen.

 

[luisa_calif]

...and some of us are All Thumbs...

 

[wigs]

Another tip to prevent muffins from sticking--saw this on the Barefoot Contessa--she

suggested that you spray the top of your muffin tin w/ PAM so if there is any overflow, the tops of the muffins will easily release from the flat part of the pan. I typically use paper or foil muffin cups, but what a revelation to also spray the top flat part of my pan, as I oftentimes fill the cavities too full and have overflow that makes a cute little 'hat' on my muffins, but those hats will usually stick.

 

[wigs]

Another idea for your old 35-mm film canisters==>

I will put an empty film canister upside down on the center tube of my Cuisinart bowl as that allows me to fill a dirty bowl with water up to a much higher level so it'll soak some and loosen up a bit of the left-on residue before it goes into my dishwasher.