At Cook’s Country, there are several features that they they look for in muffin tins and two are non-negotiable. They want muffin tins that have a nonstick coating for easy releases and easy cleanup, and they prefer tins that have handles or extended edges that make them easy to grab with pot holders on. In their most recent issue (Feb/Mar 2011), they rounded up a total of eight muffin pans that met their criteria and put them to the test, with batches of blueberry streusel muffins, corn muffins and vanilla cupcakes to see which pans would work out best.
This test went well because none of the tins performed poorly, but some performed better than others, turning out muffins that were cleaner, more evenly browned and more “professional” looking than others. There were four pans that came out of the test with a “recommended” designation. These included the Wilton Avanti Everglide, Norpro Nonstick Cupcake Pan, Anolon Advanced Muffin Pan, and the Bonjour Commercial Nonstick Muffin Pan.
The Wilton pan is the test kitchen’s preferred pan at the end of the day because it was easiest to grip and was priced right at $13.00. The Norpro pan got dinged for not having quite as easy a grip, but slightly out-performed the Wilton in browning and the shape of the finished baked goods. But whichever you choose, these pans all worked well and will turn out beautiful muffins.
Jessika
January 20, 2011I’ve become such a sucker for whatever NordicWare puts out. I’m sure that they will, undoubtedly, outlast me. I have these small muffin pans that are just great for mini muffins, mazarin, or whatever else required a small(er) form. And let us not start on the subject of silicone muffin.
Linda
January 20, 2011Those extended edges are a HUGE improvement over the old ones with no edges. How many muffins or cupcakes have I messed up with a pot-holder mashing it (or burning myself trying to lift it instead of grabbing it). I got some Kitchen-Aid ones that are good–sturdy and bake well and they have the extended edges. I got mine at Tuesday Morning for $10, I think. Good deal. For the mini size I like the silicone ones to get them out easier. But, they do require a pan underneath to stabilize them.