Baking Essentials: Muffin Molds

May 17, 2022 by Chef David

By Chef David

Equipping a kitchen for beginner bakers is filled with many choices. Even something seemingly simple as selecting the correct type of pan can be mind-boggling. Take a baking tray for muffins, should it be made of cast iron, non-stick, or silicon?  Each material has different advantages – a seasoned baker instinctively knows which to use. A home-baker who just wants to create a beautiful looking dessert, with minimal clean-up should consider Lékué non-stick silicone gourmet baking molds.

Shopping for Baking Pans

Baking with metal pans might bring back childhood memories. Metal was traditionally used for baking pans because metal provides even heat distribution and sturdiness. The two popular options are cast iron muffin tins and non-stick aluminum pans.

Cast iron holds heat well, producing a muffin with a crisp top and a soft inside. But the cast iron pan requires care and preparation. To prevent the batter from sticking, the pan should be preheated and greased. After using a cast iron pan, it should be washed and dried thoroughly to prevent rusting. Some bakers recommend rubbing a little oil on the pan after each cleaning.

Non-stick metal muffin pans are easier to use and therefore more popular. These pans have an aluminum interior with a non-stick coating which allows you to bake without adding oil. If you allow the baking pan to cool before removing it from the oven, the muffins should slide out. A non-stick pan is cleaned with warm soapy water, it is important to avoid scratching the surface. Scratches ruin the non-stick properties and can cause the pan to rust.

Consider selecting a silicone muffin pan. Silicone is more versatile than metal because in addition to being used for baking in the oven they work well in the microwave, can be put in the freezer, and are dishwasher safe. The non-stick properties of silicone muffin pans allow you to bake without greasing the pan. Unlike metal non-stick pans, they wear well over time, without the risk of scratching or losing their non-stick properties.

To take the muffins out, turn the pan over, and press on the bottom. Silicone pans are lightweight, low maintenance, easy to clean, and do not rust.

Lékué’s Gourmet Baking Molds

The Lékué brand presents us with more than just a traditional muffin pan, they offer a wide range of baking molds in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their pans are 100% platinum silicone and they are BPA Free. Platinum silicone is safe for food use, waterproof, and safe at temperatures up to 428º Fahrenheit.  That means that these pans can be used in a microwave and then cleaned in the dishwasher.

Silicone is non-stick and does not have any effect on the flavor of foods. Lékué‘s molds are light, bright-colored, and flexible, making them ideal to transport or store. They can fit into small spaces, and then bounce back into shape when removed for use. Silicon molds can also be used in no-bake applications, like making fudge or ice cream.

Lékué gourmet baking molds can be purchased online at Lékué baking.

Freedom to Bake Like a Pro

With Lékué baking molds, a novice baker can make amazing creations that come out perfectly, time and time again. We tested the heart-shaped muffin molds to make brownies and were delighted by the results. Homemade never looked so perfect.