Caraway’s Nonstick Muffin Pan Truly Delivers on Its Promise — Plus, We Scored an Exclusive Discount
I love cooking, but after a long day, the thought of scraping burnt bits off a skillet is enough to make me order takeout. Much to my wallet’s delight, and probably Postmates’ dismay, having Caraway cookware in my kitchen has been a complete game-changer in helping me cook elaborate recipes with little to no fuss. And if you’re wondering why, it’s simply because Caraway makes cleaning a breeze. We’ve written about our love for the seriously slippery, nontoxic, nonstick pots and pans at length — because they truly deserve the hype.
Muffin tins, in particular, are notoriously hard to clean. So when I saw that Caraway had a Muffin Pan lined with the brand’s naturally slick ceramic coating and featured in seven colors, including the brand’s iconic Perracotta and a cheery Marigold, I knew I had to try it for myself. If you don’t have time to read this whole article, I’ll give you my conclusion now: You need this muffin tin. Muffins, cupcakes, egg bites, mini meatloaves — whether you’re into sweet or savory bites, this piece of bakeware is an addition to your kitchen you will not regret.
However, at $50, Caraway’s Muffin Pan is certainly on the higher end of the muffin tin spectrum, but we’re not ones to leave you hanging, so we scored an exclusive Kitchn reader discount for 10 percent off your entire Caraway purchase — just shop with this link, and you’ll see the discount applied on your entire order, not just the muffin tin!
What’s Great About Caraway’s Muffin Pan?
Caraway’s 12-cup Muffin Pan came to me with some information about the product and a cork trivet, a thoughtful and practical touch.
To put the muffin pan to the test, it only felt right to start by making a fresh batch of muffins. I went with a personal favorite: lemon poppyseed. This recipe from Broma Bakery was calling my name.
After making the muffin batter, I poured it directly into the cups. This tin is so nonstick that you can ditch the parchment paper, cupcake liners, or grease. While I was a bit hesitant about what the aftermath would be, I had faith in Caraway. And I was not led astray!
After about 20 minutes in the oven, my whole home was filled with wafts of lemony, sugary goodness. I took the muffins out of the oven and left them to cool for about 15 minutes. Once cool to the touch, I grabbed a muffin top directly with my hand and gently pulled it out of the tin. There was literally no resistance; the muffin slipped out in perfect condition. There was barely anything left behind in the pan, except for a few crumbs. What was left behind was quickly washed away with just a splash of water and a quick scrub with the soft side of a sponge.
Of course, the easy cleaning process would mean nothing if the pan didn’t yield a great product. Luckily, it does. The pan distributes heat evenly. Each muffin had a just-crispy-enough top and a fluffy bottom, which is the perfect muffin ratio in my opinion.
To see what else this pan could do, I decided to try to use it to poach eggs. I rarely poach eggs, as the process is quite involved, so I was excited to find plenty of articles saying that you could use a muffin pan to poach eggs instead. It’s one of those kitchen “life hacks” that I always approach with a healthy dose of skepticism. But after the muffin success, I had a feeling this egg hack would go over smoothly as well. And I was not wrong.
While poaching eggs usually involves whisking, whirring, and constant attention, all this requires you to do is crack the egg. I put a little bit of water at the bottom of each cup and then cracked the egg right on top. I popped the pan into the oven for about 15 minutes.
The one thing I struggled with in this recipe, if I can even call it that, was being able to tell when the eggs were done. I ultimately left them in a bit too long, but I personally like my yolks set and not runny — I know, don’t judge — so these were perfect for me. I used a spoon to slide the eggs right from the cups to my plate. It could not have been easier. This would be an amazing way to prep a batch of poached eggs for a big brunch or for some meals in advance of a busy week.
And if you’ve made it this far in my review, then you’ll already know what I’m about to say: Not only is the Caraway Muffin Pan a gorgeous kitchen accessory, but it also promises years of baking with ease ahead.
Buy: Caraway Muffin Pan, $50