Cupcakes, muffins, mini cakes, and soufflés, what can’t you make in a baking cup? Baking cups are the ultimate tool for versatile baking. High-quality baking cups are sturdy, disposable, ideal for evenly distributing heat in the oven, and can instantly upgrade your dessert presentations with their unique designs and prints. Baking cups are primarily used to line muffin or cupcake tins, however, there are some stand-alone baking cups available that can be used without any additional pans.
When browsing through baking cups for your business, it can be difficult to sort through a vast variety of options. Baking cups are designed in an array of sizes, styles, and materials. Whether you’re a professional baker looking to stock up on supplies for your bakery or an at-home baker looking for a stylish way to bake and serve treats, there are several baking cups made to fit your needs. Our helpful buying guide for baking cups can help inform you and narrow down your options to find the perfect baking container for all your bite-sized sweets.
Different Sizes Of Baking Cups
Depending on the actual size you would like your cupcakes or muffins to be, you should choose baking cups that can hold either a large or small amount of batter. Typically, baking cups are designed in 3 different sizes:
- Mini: 0.4-1 ounce
- Standard: 2-3 ounces
- Large: 4-5 ounces
Mini Baking Cups
Mini baking cups hold around 0.4 to 1 ounce of batter at a time and can be paired with mini cupcake tins for baking. Great for versatile use, the bite-sized shape of mini baking cups makes them perfect for holding chocolate bonbons, fruits, or candies, as well as for baking mini cupcakes. Be sure to be cautious while pouring batter into these baking cups, as the small size makes it easy to cause messy and overflowing spills. The unique size of mini baking cups is ideal for creating one-of-a-kind confections and impressing customers.
Standard Baking Cups
Standard baking cups can hold around 2 to 3 ounces of batter in each individual cup. This size of baking cup is the most commonly used by professional bakers and at-home bakers alike, and are meant to be compatible with most standard cupcake pans. Standard baking cups are designed to be easy to handle so bakers of all levels can successfully bake sweets. Invest in standard baking cups that allow you to bake, decorate, and serve cupcakes all in the same vessel for hassle-free baking. Standard baking cups are perfect for fulfilling bakery orders or quickly serving dozens of sweets at celebrations.
Large Baking Cups
Large baking cups can usually hold around 4 or 5 ounces of batter at a time. Perfect for baking special treats, large baking cups offer a lot of room for intricate and over-the-top decorations or fillings. If your clients are looking for unique sweets to serve at their special occasion, offer cupcakes or muffins in a larger size to catch their eye. Large baking cups are incredibly versatile and can be used to bake and serve savory treats, like soufflés or egg cups. Be sure to not overpour batter into these baking cups, as their large size could make it easy for cupcakes to bake unevenly.
Different Styles Of Baking Cups
If you’re looking to bake classic cupcakes or want to find a unique way to serve frosted mini cakes and muffins, there are several styles of baking cups to choose from. Mix and match different styles and sizes together to create unforgettable dessert displays.
- Round baking cups: the most standard style of baking cup, and has a smooth, rounded shape
- Lotus or Daffodil baking cups: features folded rounded tops that flare out to mimic the look of flower petals
- Tulip baking cups: features folded pointed tops that flare out to mimic the look of tulip petals
- Decorative baking cups: designed in a variety of prints, patterns, or colors to enhance the look of desserts
- Pleated baking cups: features vertical pleated edges all around the outside of cups
- Flared baking cups: features small vertical folds that flare out at the top to neatly frame sweets
- Scalloped baking cups: designed with a scalloped trim at the top and smooth walls
Which Material Should I Choose?
If you’re looking for a specific look or feature for your baked goods, the material from which your baking cups are made matters. Typically, baking cups are made from these 4 kinds of materials.
- Paper
- Silicone
- Aluminum
- Glassine
Paper Baking Cups
Paper baking cups are perfect for at-home baking or commercial use. Paper baking cups can either be thinly-constructed or made with thicker, kraft paper. If you’re looking for single-use options, paper baking cups are completely disposable and can make cleaning up after baking a breeze. Paper baking cups can withstand high temperatures but can result in their edges being singed or easily scorched. The lightweight, yet sturdy construction of paper cupcake liners makes them ideal for easy handling. To peel off cups in a hassle-free way, be sure to look for paper baking cups with a grease-resistant lining.
Silicone Baking Cups
If you’re looking for a reusable baking option that withstands regular use, silicone baking cups are made for your business. Baking cups made from food-grade silicone are great for safely baking treats and can simply be washed after use. Silicone baking cups are ideal for stand-alone baking in the oven and can withstand high heat or cold temperatures. Reusable baking cups are perfect for bakers on a budget and are a simple way to practice baking treats. Silicone baking cups are naturally non-stick for easy removal and don’t need to be greased before baking.
Aluminum Baking Cups
Baking cups made from premium aluminum are ideal for heavy-duty baking. Perfect for versatile use, aluminum baking cups can be used to bake and serve mini cakes, cupcakes, brownies, or muffins. Aluminum baking cups are designed to withstand all kinds of hot or cold temperatures. Aluminum is a sturdy, lightweight material that can be quickly disposed of or easily cleaned and reused. Aluminum baking cups can be used for stand-alone baking or for lining cupcake pans. A great benefit of aluminum baking cups is that you can bake, decorate, and serve all in the same container without having to worry about double lining or using other baking cups before frosting.
Glassine Baking Cups
Glassine baking cups are the ideal baking cup for enhancing the look of your sweet treats. Glassine is a kind of paper material that has a naturally glossy finish, and is water-resistant and grease-resistant, to eliminate the need for additional lining or greasing. Glassine baking cups can easily withstand hot and cold temperatures and are perfect for single-use occasions. Glassine baking cups arrive in a variety of vibrant prints and patterns, as their construction naturally holds onto color even after baking. Glassine baking cups are compatible with most standard cupcake tins and are ideal for easily removing cupcakes after baking.
