7 Inventive Ways to Use Cupcake Liners (That Aren’t for Baking)
Updated: Nov. 16, 2023
Paper cupcake liners aren't just for baking! We've got seven clever uses for this supply staple, so stock up.
When it comes to cupcakes, who can get enough? These pretty, pint-size treats are a great addition to any party or special occasion. And when it comes to decorating, well, you can get pretty wild with the toppings and even use some funky cupcake liners to boot. But it turns out these festive wrappers can be used for more than just dressing up your baked goods.
With a little ingenuity, cupcake liners be pretty useful throughout the kitchen. So next time you’re at the grocery store, grab an extra package.
1. Top off a mason jar
Homemade gifts delivered in mason jars are the cutest! Jazz up the presentation by slipping a cupcake liner under the lid before screwing on the metal band. A fun, patterned liner will give the topper some color and the crinkled edges will create a pretty ruffle.
2. Try them as single-serve dishes
Serving up small snacks at your next party (like this tasty nut mix)? Use these muffin tin liners as small dishes to hold these miniature munchies.
3. Tell bugs to buzz off
While there’s nothing better than a summer picnic, the bees and flies can be a real pain. Keep them out of your beverages by popping a cupcake liner over the top of your glass. Take the next step and punch a small hole in the bottom to make room for a straw.
4. Use them as disposable containers
Decorating cookies? Instead of dipping into that giant bag of candy or narrow jar of sprinkles, use cupcake liners as small dishes to hold all your decorations. The wide opening gives you easy access to what you need plus they’re a breeze to clean up!
And don’t stop at sprinkles—cupcake liners are great as small prep bowls for measuring small ingredients, like a few teaspoons of dried herbs.
5. Keep ice pops from dripping everywhere
Anyone with a kiddo knows that homemade ice pops are a great treat, but they can be incredibly messy. Keep popsicles from melting everywhere by slipping a cupcake liner onto the stick to catch all those melty drops.
6. Keep sticky jars from making a mess
Even the most organized pantries are subject to the sticky mess that’s the squeezable honey bear or molasses bottle. To keep those gooey drips from making a big mess, simply set your containers inside a cupcake liner. This will catch any extra drips and keep your shelves clean.
7. Keep kids snacks organized
Sending the kids off the school with a homemade lunch is always a great idea. But not every mom or dad has a beautiful divided bento box to keep the carrots from running into the grapes from running into the cheese. For discerning kids that prefer their snacks not to touch, nestle a handful of cupcake liners into a larger plastic container to keep all those treats organized.
While I still think that cupcakes are the best fillings for these liners, some of these hacks are pretty handy!
Try a new twist on your muffin pans with these recipes.
Loaded Chicken Carbonara CupsSpaghetti cupcakes with a chicken carbonara twist make for a tasty, fun family dinner. Whole wheat pasta and reduced-fat ingredients make these quick and easy little pasta cakes nutritional winners, too. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Lasagna CupsI love lasagna and garlic bread, so it only made sense to put them together in these fun little cups. Have one as an appetizer or two for a meal! —Angelique Douglas, Maryville, Illinois
Make-Ahead Eggs Benedict Toast CupsWhen I was growing up, we had a family tradition of having eggs Benedict with champagne and orange juice for our Christmas breakfast. But now that I’m cooking, a fussy breakfast isn’t my style. I wanted to come up with a dish I could make ahead that would mimic the flavors of traditional eggs Benedict and would also freeze well. Friends, all I can say is, this one fits the bill! —Lyndsay Wells, Ladysmith, British Columbia
Tuna Noodle CupsOlder kids can get a jump on preparing dinner by stirring up these miniature tuna casseroles. Or serve them for brunch with fresh fruit, a tossed salad and rolls. —Marlene Pugh, Fort McMurray, Alberta
Ramen SlidersI grew up eating ramen and love it to this day. A fun spin on my favorite type of noodle soup, these sliders are topped with an egg and kimchi. —Julie Teramoto, Los Angeles, California
Shortcut Coconut-Pecan Chocolate TassiesYou can garnish these cookies with pecan halves or a couple of chocolate chips before baking, or drizzle with a little melted chocolate after taking them out of the oven. —Deb Villenauve, Krakow, Wisconsin
Parmesan Mushroom TartletsMy easy tartlets loaded with a cheesy mushroom filling take advantage of refrigerated crescent roll dough. I think they’re best warm from the oven with a sprinkling of green onion.—Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Pigs in a PoolMy kids love sausages and pancakes but making them during the week was out of the question. I bought the frozen variety on a stick but wasn't keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs-in-a-blanket is a tasty, thrifty alternative. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina
Easy Mini Caramel Apple CheesecakesCheesecake is the ultimate comfort food, but a big slice can be too rich. These bite-sized cheesecakes topped with apples and creamy caramel dazzle the senses. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota
Mini Corn Muffins with Spicy Cheddar FillingI’m an Iowa gardener and I like to feature sweet corn in my muffin tin recipes. These cute, easy-to-eat bites are a fun change from the usual appetizers. —Margaret Blair, Lorimor, Iowa
Mini Shepherd's PiesI’m as confident serving these little pies to company as to family. If I have enough time, I’ll use homemade biscuits and mashed potatoes. —Ellen Osborne, Clarksville, Tennessee
Ham & Gruyere Mini QuichesWhen you make this in muffin cups, each person gets a quiche. I have also doubled the recipe and used jumbo muffin cups; bake about 10 minutes longer. —Gena Stout, Ravenden, Arkansas
Winnie's Mini Rhubarb & Strawberry PiesEvery spring, we had strawberries and rhubarb on our farm outside Seattle. These fruity hand pies remind me of those times and of Grandma Winnie’s baking. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Hash Brown Quiche CupsQuiche cups are my showstopper potluck dish. Hash browns and Asiago cheese make up the crusts. Eggs, spinach and bacon do the rest. —Nicole Stone, Gilbertville, Iowa
Muffin-Cup Cheddar Beef PiesMy kids love these beef rolls so much. I always make extra since they heat up so quickly. I give the kids their choice of dipping sauces—spaghetti sauce or ranch dressing are the top picks. —Kimberly Farmer, Wichita, Kansas
Pecan Butter TartsI searched for the perfect butter tart for ages. After many attempts, I discovered this favorite that begs for a scoop of ice cream on top. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
Cloverleaf RollsWhen I was a girl, it was a rare occasion when Mom made a gourmet meal. Most often, she relied on traditional muffin tin recipes like this one. My sister and I ate more than our share of these versatile golden rolls.
-Brenda DuFresne, Midland, Michigan
Mini Sausage QuichesThese bite-sized quiches are loaded with sausage and cheese—and all nestled into easy crescent roll dough. Serve the cute muffinettes at any brunch or potluck gathering. —Jan Mead, Milford, Connecticut
Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Cornbread PoppersThese fun little apps are an instant conversation starter wherever they're served. We love them on game day, but they'd be a hit at brunch, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Baked Veggie CupsThese colorful veggie cups are not only tasty, but they also pack in a surprising amount of nutrition! The addition of mozzarella and Parmesan is the perfect Italian touch. —Cathy Horvath, Surrey, British Columbia
Mini Beef TourtieresHere's a twist on the traditional tourtiere recipe. Ground beef replaces pork, and cream cheese pastry takes the place of pie pastry. The filled mini cups make a melt-in-your-mouth addition to a buffet. —Cheryl Bruneau, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Crepe Quiche CupsWhen it comes to trying new muffin tin recipes, I'm always up for the challenge, and crepe cups have turned out to be one of my favorite things to serve while entertaining. They're a nice change for breakfast on those holiday mornings when family is gathered around. —Sheryl Riley, Unionville, Missouri
Mini Ham QuichesThese quiches are delightful for brunch when you don’t want to fuss. Replace
the ham with bacon, sausage, chicken or shrimp, or use chopped onion, red pepper or zucchini instead of olives. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon
Mini Sausage QuichesThese bite-sized quiches are loaded with sausage and cheese—and all nestled into easy crescent roll dough. Serve the cute muffinettes at any brunch or potluck gathering. —Jan Mead, Milford, Connecticut
Stuffin' MuffinsIf you love stuffing, you won’t be able to get enough of these fun muffin cups that make use of not only leftover stuffing but also green beans, turkey, mashed potatoes, cheddar and gravy. It’s a taste of Thanksgiving in every bite! —Pauline Porterfield, Roxboro, North Carolina
Bacon-Sausage Quiche TartsAs a teacher, I attend many meetings and also have special celebrations with rest of the staff. The other teachers are very fond of this treat and often request that I bring it to our functions. —Jackie Milliken, Pittsboro, North Carolina
Originally Published: January 03, 2018
