Sweet or savory, people enjoy muffins at any time of the day. Generally larger and denser than cupcakes and with a wide variety of flavors, muffins can be purchased ready-made or baked at home. When making homemade muffins, there are different types of muffin cases available. Different sizes, appearances, and materials can be used to create custom muffins for all occasions.
Muffin cases come in a range of different sizes. Besides the standard-sized cases, home chefs can purchase small ones to produce miniature, bite-sized muffins, which are commonly used for children and at parties. Chefs use shallow cases to produce wider, flatter muffins that are sliced open and used to make breakfast sandwiches. Many gourmet muffin shops used tall, deep cases for a more sophisticated-looking product.
Once white and plain, muffin cases are available in many different colors and patterns. Cooks purchase seasonal, themed, and general patterns such as animal print to add personalized touches to their muffins. Cases are also available with matching decorations that are added to the muffins, and these are especially good for parties. Packs come in either single colors or patterns or as a coordinated mixture.
There are also different shapes of cases. The standard muffin case shape consists of a round, flat bottom with steep, crimped sides and flat-top edges. A cook may also buy muffin cases that have scalloped edges or cases that are constructed out of sheets of wrap that have deep bottoms and four-pointed edges. This type of case provides a more elegant and professional look to muffins.
Finally, muffin cases come in several different materials. Paper cases were the original type and are still popular. Decorated or plain, these cases are grease proof and single use. Once the muffin has been eaten, diners throw the paper wrapper away. Also single use are foil muffin cases.
These cases are typically available in gold, silver, and patterns and are also lined with grease-proof paper. This type of case is stronger and more rigid than the paper cases and can be used without having to be placed in the baking tray. Many cooks prefer to use silicon muffin cases. Grease proof and nonstick, silicon cases also provide a much cleaner release of the muffin.
They are also strong enough to be used without a baking tray and, unlike the paper and foil cases, can be washed and used multiple times. Like other muffin cases, however, silicon cases are available in a range of colors and sizes. This type of case can be purchased individually or as a tray containing half a dozen muffin places.