At OXO, we love discovering new ways to use products we already own. The Silicone Baking Cups are one of our favorite tools to make homemade treats look super professional. Thanks to small details like fill lines and little tabs to remove cupcakes without leaving a thumbprint, let’s just say our friends are impressed. But what else can you do with the Silicone Baking Cups? We asked OXO HQ for their top tips and it turns out the Baking Cups are a powerhouse in the kitchen (and the rest of the home). Check out their ideas below.
Mise en Place
Cooking with a lot of small ingredients? The Baking Cups are perfect for mise en place with all items prepped and at the ready. Think herbs, garlic, shallots, spices and nuts. The cups can even hold separated eggs!
Make-Ahead Muffins
Did you know you can freeze unbaked muffins? Line filled baking cups on a sheet pan and freeze 2-3 hours or until hard. Then, place frozen Baking Cups in a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container(Opens in a new window). When you’re ready to cook, place a few frozen Baking Cups on a sheet pan and cook per the original recipe, adding a few minutes to account for starting frozen.
Perfectly Portioned Oatmeal
Cooking steel cut oatmeal from scratch can be a time-consuming process. We like to use the Baking Cups to portion out and freeze cooked oatmeal. Simply pop the frozen oatmeal out of the baking cups and into a microwave-safe bowl for quick reheating on a busy weekday morning.
Frozen Yogurt Cups
Create homemade frozen yogurt cups(Opens in a new window) with customized fruit toppings for a refreshing warm weather treat. They're only made with two-ingredients and keep in the freezer for up to two weeks.
Stash Leftovers in the Freezer
The Silicone Baking Cups make for an effortless way to store leftover pesto, tomato paste, sauces or stock in the freezer for use at a later date. Good tip: Pour up to the fill line of the baking cups for exactly ⅓ cup of liquid. Plus, get our best advice on storing all kinds of leftovers and foods that freeze well.
Microwave Cupcakes
Mix up a single-serve microwave cake that’s evenly cooked and perfectly sized. Check out the results of our Microwave Cake Bake Off(Opens in a new window) for more info on why the Baking Cups work so well. We like to use this recipe(Opens in a new window) and divide it among two Baking Cups. Accidentally made a big mess? Find out the best way to clean your microwave.
Decorative Ice Cubes
Create festive ice cubes with sliced fruit or herbs. These larger cubes are perfect for a punch bowl, as they’ll melt more slowly than smaller cubes.
Mini Frittatas
Fill Baking Cups with a small handful of sauteed vegetables and a bit of grated cheese, then top with beaten eggs. Bake for around 12-15 minutes at 350˚F and voila, single-serving frittatas. Stash these in the refrigerator and reheat throughout the week for a simple, protein-packed breakfast.
Chocolate Ice Cream Cups
Using a Silicone Pastry Brush(Opens in a new window), coat the inside of Baking Cups with melted chocolate. Let cups cool in the refrigerator and carefully peel back the Baking Cup once the chocolate has set. Serve the chocolate cups filled with ice cream, chocolate mousse or even just fresh berries. See the full how-to here(Opens in a new window).
Food Dividers for Bento Box Lunches
Baking Cups are an easy way to keep food organized in lunch boxes. Use several cups for a bento box(Opens in a new window), or simply separate nuts, croutons or crackers to the side.
Bathroom Organizers
Baking Cups are not just for the kitchen. The flexible silicone cups are ideal for corralling a handful of small items like hair ties and pins, floss picks or cotton balls in your bathroom.
Desk and Crafting Organizers
We’ve also found use for the Baking Cups in desk drawers and crafting areas, to help organize everything from push pins to board game pieces to paper clips.
How do you use your Silicone Baking Cups? Plus, try these unexpected uses for muffin pans and creative ideas for POP containers.