I recently picked up an inexpensive set of 8 silicone baking cups on a whim at the grocery store and I’m starting to consider them a major find:
- Baking, they do everything that a muffin tin does — except that I can use the exact number I need.
- Another plus in baking is if you have a small oven you don’t have to worry whether the pan size will fit.
- If you don’t have a conventional oven, they’ll fit inside the Omnia Stove Top Oven, particularly with the new rack!
And they have three added benefits that make them great on a boat:
- They double as small serving dishes — just right for putting out a bunch of different snacks or for giving each person or seating area their own. The fact that they are unbreakable and nonslip makes them even better!
Take up very little storage space and they don’t make noise. The cups all stack together and they can even be used to wedge between other things to keep them from rattling.
Take up very little storage space and they don’t make noise. The cups all stack together and they can even be used to wedge between other things to keep them from rattling.- They’re perfect as a “travel water bowl” for a small dog — we can easily stick one in a pocket and fill it from a drinking fountain or our own water bottle.
A couple of notes on using them:
- Don’t spray silicone with nonstick spray — it turns brown in the oven and is almost impossible to remove. Silicone is naturally nonstick, so you shouldn’t need to use anything. If you really feel that you must, use a solid grease such as butter, margarine or shortening.
- Don’t overfill when baking as there is no lip to catch overflow — batter will run down the outside of the cup and onto the oven floor.
- Don’t overfill with semi-liquid snacks such as salsa, either — since the cups aren’t rigid, when you pick one up, anything liquid will rise in the cup. It can also slosh a bit if the boat rolls.
- Even though the cups are a little “squishy,” I haven’t needed to put a tray underneath to carry them or transfer into the oven.
The silicone baking cups are the same size as the paper liners and a set of 8 cost me just over $3. They were hanging on a hook in the baking aisle, no brand name or anything other than a sticker that said 100% silicone. If you can’t find them at your store, they’re also available at Amazon (US).
Quick note on washing them: I’ve found the easiest way to get those ridges clean is to flip each cup inside out and give a quick scrub with a nail brush going up-and-down the ridges. Only takes about 5 seconds a cup, as the silicone is naturally non-stick, so it’s not an onerous task. In fact, I find them easier to clean than conventional muffin tins due to being able to turn them inside out!
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Tammy Swart says
I wish I could find some! I’ve been looking!
The Boat Galley says
If you can’t find them in local stores, they’re available on Amazon. Just have them sent somewhere that you’ll be in a week or two. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047T6UQI/?tag=theboagal0a-20
Deb Perfitt says
I love the silicone bakeware. I’ve stumbled on another use for the bunt cake pan while cleaning it. When you turn it inside out it can be used as a large funnel. Good for thick liquids or powders you want to decant into bins.
Cindy Balfour says
Great find I will be looking for some. Tell your readers not to discount thrift shops there can be some great finds. I have even t least one thrift store in every mid size port city we have stopped.
Cindy Balfour says
Auto correct I have seen at least one thrift shop in the bigger port cities.
Jan Alexander says
They’re great for brownies and cornbread too!
Candy Ann Williams says
We just bought some yesterday!!!
Debbie Bowen Crawford says
I need some of these!
Paul English says
Silicone is way neat, and handy, but there is one caveat.. it is oleophilic. If you keep it exposed anywhere near your kitchen, over time you’ll find it develops a film of oil. Silicone that I keep closed up a cabinet doesn’t seem to suffer from this. It will take a little extra soap and care to ensure that it doesn’t hang on to oil after cooking.
The Boat Galley says
Thanks — I hadn’t realized that.
Clare MacCarthy says
Carolyn – that’s a brilliant tip, thanks! My boat (bought in Sweden) came with an Omnius oven which is the exact same thing as the Omnia but very slightly smaller.in diameter. This means that I can’t buy a big Omnia silicone ring for it. But these WILL fit and I have a big bunch of them in the kitchen already. The Omnia rail won’t fit either so do you reckon that I can bake bread rolls/scones anyway? Maybe some scrunched-up aluminium foil underneath might help?
Carolyn Shearlock says
That’s what I used for baked potatoes and brown & serve rolls before the rack was available. It works!
Clare MacCarthy says
Super, thanks for the answer. Next season will be even tastier than this one 🙂
Tom Kober says
Are they are microwave safe?
The Boat Galley says
Yes
Kim Veitch Davidson says
Love these!!
Patricia Jackson says
Thanks for the info…have wondered about them.
Sami Bolton says
I use paper muffin liners to put ketchup, mustard or any other condiments in and then set it down in a bowl. Really Cuts back on washing up.
Joanie Leake says
I don’t live aboard yet (planning for future) but I use these at home to make breakfast frittatas. You can put different fillings in each one (in case family members have different preferences about things like mushrooms) then fill with eggs and bake. Extras can be left in the cup to reheat in the microwave the next day. I think that would work on a boat too.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great idea!