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I think it’s fantastic. For certain types of food (many types of food), it cooks fantastically, requires very little cleanup, and is incredibly durable and affordable. Which leads me to my latest acquisition: the Lodge cast iron muffin pan.
Lighter Colored Nonstick Pans Baked Better
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If were splitting hairs (as we tend to do…), we preferred lighter-colored muffin pans over darker ones. (We had similar findings during our nonstick baking sheet review.) Darker pans—like the ones from Great Jones, Le Creuset, and Anolon—baked muffins more deeply than the golden brown we were aiming for and had dryer crusts. Lighter-colored muffin pans, like the USA Pan, OXO, and Williams Sonoma, all baked up with a nice, even golden brown color.
Key Specs
- Material: Aluminized steel with nonstick silicone coating
- Weight: 2 pounds, 8 1/4 ounces
- Cup capacity: 100 milliliters
- Depth and width of cup: 1 1/2 inches deep, 2 3/4 inches wide (at top)
- Overall dimensions: 15 3/4 inches x 11 inches x 1 3/8 inches
- Maximum oven temperature: 450°F
- Cleaning and care: Hand-wash only
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What we liked: This pan had an extra-large rim, wide borders, and a textured, grippy surface. The larger rim and squared-off, thick ridge made it easy to grab the pan, even when wearing cumbersome oven mitts. And the light, gold-colored nonstick coating released cupcakes, muffins, and frittatas easily and browned evenly. Cleanup was fairly painless as well. Plus, like the USA Pan, the cups are 100 milliliters, so most recipes should bake up well. We found the pan to be quite durable and no staining or scratching occurred. It’s also dishwasher-safe.
What we didn’t like: The thin crevice between the muffin cup and the top of the pan trapped bits of baked-on batter. A light scrubbing with a kitchen brush seemed to get the residue off, but it was a bit annoying. It was also larger than other muffin pans, requiring more storage space.
Seasoning a Cast Iron Muffin Pan
FAQ
Why use cast iron muffin pan?
Do you preheat cast iron muffin pans?
Is it healthy to cook in cast iron?
Are cast iron pans good for baking?
“Cast iron pans retain heat really well,” says Stubblefield. “There is a chance that your baked goods will brown quicker than usual.” He suggests checking on them a few minutes before you think they should be done. It’s worth noting too that unlike clear glass baking pans, you can’t peek at the bottom of your baked good with cast iron.
Are muffins good for health?
Muffins are rich in high calories, fat and sugar, muffins can be a healthy breakfast option if we are preparing in home with whole wheat flour. These excess nutrients and calories can contribute to excess weight. Banana muffins, oat muffins are rich in fiber, Chocolate muffins, Pineapple coconut muffins. Plant-based protein to your muffins to increase their nutrition.
What is the best material for a muffin pan?
Aluminum is perhaps the best material for even heat distribution, especially if it is anodized. Stainless steel bakeware, with an inner core of aluminum or copper, helps ensure even baking. Silicone muffin pans are not as good at conducting heat as metal pans. Nonstick coating helps muffins release from the pan after baking.
Which muffin pans bake better?
Darker pans—like the ones from Great Jones, Le Creuset, and Anolon —baked muffins more deeply than the golden brown we were aiming for and had dryer crusts. Lighter-colored muffin pans, like the USA Pan, OXO, and Williams Sonoma, all baked up with a nice, even golden brown color.