Stuck to Pan/Liner

Here are some helpful solutions for the common causes:

• Improperly prepared baking pan

  SOLUTION

  Be sure to carefully grease the bottom of each muffin cup, using solid vegetable shortening. Or, spray bottoms only of muffin cups with a no-stick cooking spray. Paper or aluminum foil cup liners can be used instead of greasing the muffin cups.

• Muffins not cooled sufficiently before removing from pan

  SOLUTION

  Allow muffins to cool a few minutes (follow recipe directions) in the pan, then carefully remove. The steam that condenses during standing makes muffins easier to remove from the pan. If the muffin continues to stick, carefully run a narrow flexible metal spatula or thin-bladed knife around the sides of each muffin to loosen.

• "Liquid" forms of fat are absorbed into the batter as it bakes

  SOLUTION

  Use solid shortening to grease muffin cups. Vegetable oil is absorbed into the batter as the muffins bake. Learn more about Fats in Baking.

• Batter overflowed and stuck to outer edges of pan

  SOLUTION

  • Avoid filling the muffin cups too full. Follow suggestions given in the recipe (most recipes recommend filling muffin cups 2/3 to 3/4 full).
  • Avoid spilling any batter between the paper liner and the pan.
  • Depending upon the recipe or the age and condition of the baking pan, even muffins baked in nonstick baking pans can occasionally stick. Spray the bottom of each muffin cup with no-stick cooking spray.

• Low-fat recipe

  SOLUTION

  The amount of fat in the muffin batter affects how easily the baked muffin can be removed from the pan. Lightly spray the bottom of each muffin cup with no-stick cooking spray or use paper or aluminum foil cup liners.

• Berries, chocolate and other "add ins" sometimes stick to the paper liner

  SOLUTION

  • Use aluminum foil cup liners. Spray the foil cup liners with no-stick cooking spray.
  • Eliminate the paper liner. Grease the bottom of each muffin cup according to recipe directions, using solid vegetable shortening. Or, spray bottoms only of muffin cups with no-stick cooking spray.
  • Use nonstick muffin pan. If the surface of the pan is dark, reduce oven temperature by 25°F.