Today I wanted to share a short and simple tutorial on how to make muffin liners out of parchment paper. All you need is some parchment paper, scissors, and a small can! These add a bakery-esque flair to your favorite muffin recipe!
“Where did you get those muffin liners?”
I get this question all. the. time. from people who have made my chocolate chip muffins or my banana nut muffins. Honestly. you can buy muffin liners made out of parchment paper. I think they’re often called tulip liners or something like that and they’re a bit more expensive than your standard white, ridged muffin liners.
I’ve never bought them, though, I just make mine out of parchment paper. Usually out of necessity because I’ve forgotten to stock up on those standard white liners, but I have to admit that they do add a bakery-esque touch to your muffins.
Since so many of you have asked I decided to make a short tutorial with pictures (there’s also a brief video at the bottom of the post, too).
What You Need:
- Parchment paper. white or brown will work.
- Scissors.
- A small can. You want a can that fits snugly into your muffin tin. A can of tomato paste works perfectly for most standard muffin or cupcake tins.
- A ruler. Not entirely necessary and you can approximate if you don’ t have one! If you happen to have at least one standard muffin liner lying around you can use that as a rough guide for cutting out your parchment squares instead.
How to Make Baking Liners
- Cut parchment into squares that are about 4.5-5″ across.
- Place the parchment paper over the base of your can. Most parchment paper tends to curl one way from being rolled up, if yours does then turn that curl away from the can. This will help encourage the muffin liners to spread open a bit (rather than fold in toward themselves) when you put them in your muffin tin, which will make it easier to dollop your batter into the liner.
- Run your finger or thumbnail around the base of the can to make a strong crease in the parchment. Press your hand firmly along the parchment against the can to set the creases of the parchment.
- Transfer muffin liner to muffin tin. I like to place the can in the liner while I do this just to firmly set it in place.
That’s it! Fill with muffin or cupcake batter and bake as indicated!
Now you have the liners, here are a few muffins to try them out!
- Basic Muffin Recipe (with so many add-in options!)
- Banana Muffins
- Chocolate Muffins
- Apple Crumb Muffins
- Pumpkin Muffins
How to Make Parchment Paper Liners
Recommended Equipment
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Small can that fits snugly into muffin tin (a can of tomato paste is great for this!)
Instructions
- Cut parchment into 5" squares.
- Place the parchment paper over the base of your can. Most parchment paper tends to curl one way from being rolled up, if yours does then turn that curl away from the can. This will help encourage the muffin liners to spread open a bit (rather than fold in toward themselves) when you put them in your muffin tin, which will make it easier to dollop your batter into the liner.
- Run your finger or thumbnail around the base of the can to make a strong crease in the parchment. Press your hand firmly along the parchment against the can to set the creases of the parchment.
- Transfer muffin liner to muffin tin. I like to place the can in the liner while I do this just to firmly set it in place.
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sofiyat
Very very helpful
Thank you ma’am
Sharon McIsaac
What a great idea! I have silicone muffin liners for the house, but when taking muffins to friends or a bake sale, this will be perfect.
Sam
So glad you enjoyed the tutorial, Sharon! Thank you so much for commenting 🙂
Melissa Graff
Hi Sam
Love your muffin recipes. Do u have a recipe for corn muffins?
Thank you!
Sam
Hi Melissa! Not yet, but thanks to your comment I’ve just added it to my list and am going to work on one! Thank you for using my recipes, it means a lot to me! 🙂
JM
thanks for the tip- i’ve tried to make them before and it was not successful. the van is the key!! thank you
Sam
They add such an awesome look to your cupcakes or muffins. 🙂
Kelly Smith
Hi Sam….Thank you for posting this $$ saving tip. Can you please tell me where you picked up that DARLING muffin tin??? I’m only guessing it’s a family heirloom never to be duplicated, but I have to ask.
Sam
I actually got it from Target! It looks like it’s currently sold out, unfortunately, but here is the link: https://www.target.com/p/stoneware-muffin-pan-cream-hearth-hand-8482-with-magnolia/-/A-53053870
michelle
Brillant! I was buying them from Amazon, no more!!! Great tip. Now on another note, any photo updates of the your new bundle of joy???
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Michelle! I am so glad that you find this post helpful! I will post more pictures of my little one on social media soon. Stay tuned. 🙂
Tisha
Fabulous!! With nonstick tins, I’ve gone without liners, but I like using them much better. This idea is perfect!!! And fancy looking, I think. 😀
Sam
They really add something extra special to muffins 🙂
Hannah
This is brilliant! Thank you for sharing this hack!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you, Hannah! I am so glad that you enjoy it! Good Luck making your muffin liners. 🙂
Carol
I love this. So easy and much nicer than cupcake liners. I plan to cut some squares in advance to have on hand. Thank you for the video.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you found the video helpful. Good Luck making your muffin liners, Carol! 🙂
Wendy
Thank you Sam, this is brilliant! I was thinking the other day, I just need someone to tell me how to make these parchment paper liners and also how to make a basic muffin recipe and lo and behold, my wish has been granted, thanks once again. Hope your little babe is doing well and all best wishes for the New Year…
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy that I could grant your wish for you, Wendy! Let me know if you need any muffin ideas as well, I have plenty of good ones to choose from. Good Luck making your liners. 🙂
Joanne
This is so appreciated since I often run out of muffin liners but always have plenty of parchment paper on hand.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you found this helpful, Joanne! Good Luck making your parchment paper liners. 🙂
Carol
That was genius!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Carol! I hope that your liners turn out wonderfully. 🙂
Amy Smith
Much appreciated! So glad you took the time to share. Now, to go buy natural parchment.
Sugar Spun Run
You are welcome! Let me know how your liners turn out, Amy! 🙂
Tessa
This is genius! Thanks for the quick and easy tutorial!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Tessa! I hope that you find it easy! 🙂
Margot
Thanks, this looks so easy!! I love those “tulip” ones as well, but the cost is ridiculous
Sam
It really is so easy! I buy my parchment paper from Brandless.com (I’m not affiliated with them, just love their parchment prices) too where it’s only $3 for a 70 sq foot roll (and I buy enough of them that I don’t pay shipping) so it makes them soooo inexpensive to make! Glad you found the tutorial helpful, Margot! 🙂