27 of the Best Cupcake Tin Recipes

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

25 of the Best Cupcake Tin Recipes? I know – we talk about cupcakes, cupcakes, and more cupcakes here – after all, it is a site called a Monkey On A Cupcake, LOL! I know that realistically, your cupcake tins aren’t being used 100% of the time for constantly baking cupcakes.

My momma used to say: “Don’t buy it unless you can think of at least 5 ways to use it.” Good advice, right? Soooo, that is what I am doing for you today: giving you more than 5 uses for that cupcake tin!

27 of the Best Cupcake Tin Recipes

Is there a difference between a muffin tin and a cupcake tin?

No. They are one and the same. Some brands list them as muffin tins, some brands list them as cupcake tins. The only real difference between baking the two is the fact that muffins are usually in a lightly greased or sprayed tin, without the liner.

Cupcakes always have liners. That’s it – the big difference! However, follow the instructions on each of the following cupcake tin recipes to see what is needed.

Should I spray a nonstick muffin pan?

(sigh). Yes. Even though it is sold as a “nonstick” muffin pan, it tends to stick. If you are making muffins, lightly grease or spray. LIGHTLY, and you will never have a problem. For some reason? NordicWare is the worst offender in my pan stash – especially their fun shaped pans. Again, follow the instructions of each of the cupcake tin recipes below to see if you need to spray it or not.

Muffin Tin Recipes for Breakfast

The average muffin or cupcake tin has a well that is 3.5 ounces. That makes for perfect portion control for littles or adults. Give them one or two, respectively and you are all set. Keep in mind that the average Grade A large egg is 2 ounces – for a whopping 9-10 grams of protein! These are a few fun ideas past the basic baked mini omelet.

• Pumpkin French Toast Cups

The pumpkin French toast cups are the best way to use your leftover bread. It tastes sweet and is quite easy to prepare.

Get your recipe of Pumpkin French Toast Cups here

• Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins

The cinnamon sugar cruffins are basically sweet croissant muffins. They are flaky and taste absolutely delicious.

Get your recipe of Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins here

Savory Muffin Tin Recipes

Sometimes you need something that is NOT sweet. These can be used as appetizers, lunch box fillers, or even a dinner – but done up all fancy!

• 4 Cheese Macaroni & Cheese Bites

The Four-Cheese Macaroni & Cheese Bites are usually eaten cold or taken on picnics. If you had been looking for small treats, then you will love making these as they are delicious.

Get your recipe of Four-Cheese Macaroni & Cheese Bites here

• Southwest Chicken Wonton Cups

This low-fat gem is both tasty and pretty darn easy to make!

Get your recipe of Southwest Chicken Wonton Cups here.

• Elegant Shrimp Avocado Wonton Appetizers

This is perfect to “wow” your guests while making you look like the next Martha Stewart.

Get your recipe of Elegant Shrimp Avocado Wonton Appetizers here.

Muffin Tin Recipes that are Desserts

I know there are tons of muffin pan uses, everything from sensory bins for kids to baking mini meatloaves. Let’s face it – we are all thinking of desserts. You know the difference between the word desert (air-dry landform) and desserts (sweet and tasty goodness)? Desserts have (2) of the letter S – because we always want more of the dessert! Let’s get to them!

TARTS

Tarts are kind of a fancy way of saying pie. OK, not really. Tarts and pies are VERY similar, but tarts ONLY have a bottom crust, and it tends to be thicker than what a pie crust is.

My favorite family memory here was visiting my great Aunt Fern’s chicken farm in southern Illinois. She made individual tarts for all of us for dessert that night and pop was being his usual goofy self and asked for seconds. They have family fun banter back and forth and she ended with “You calling me cheap? I gave you a whole pie!” Bless that woman’s soul – I am sure she is keeping God very busy in heaven.

• Mini Fruit Tartlets

The mini fruit tartlets are a simple way to satisfy your sweet tooth and these delicacies would not add any extra kilos!

Get your recipe of Mini Fruit Tartlets here

• Raspberry Linzer Tartlets

A variation of the classic Linzer torte, this one has a delicious base of layers of chocolate and raspberries with raspberry jam.

Get your recipe of Raspberry Linzer Tartlets here

• No Bake Blueberry Lemon Mini Tarts

A perfect summer treat, the blueberry lemon mini tarts taste great with the blueberry filling.

Get your recipe of No Bake Blueberry Lemon Mini Tarts here

• Mini Lime Tartlets with Macaroon Crust

A bite-sized spin on a traditional key lime pie! These sweet, and creamy treats have a refreshing tropical taste with a crispy yet chewy coconut macaroon crust that contrasts perfectly with the citrusy custard filling.

Get your recipe of Mini Lime Tartlets with Macaroon crust here

• Butter Tarts

These are basically sweet and small pastries that are filled with a semi-solid syrup and have a gooey taste.

Get your recipe of Butter Tarts here

PIES

These will have a thinner crust, or actually a top crust!

• Amazing Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

OK – these are pie-LIKE so I put them in here. The pumpkin pie cupcakes are very small cupcakes that can be eaten at one go! It is a great cupcake recipe for the Fall and Thanksgiving celebrations.

Get your recipe of Amazing Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes here

• Lemon Mini Pies

The lemon mini pies are buttery and shaped as single-sized portions. These are filled with delicious lemon curd.

Get your recipe of Lemon Mini Pies here

• Puff Pastry Apple Pies

 Individual puff pastry apple pies, flaky, sweet, and utterly delicious. You can bake them in a muffin tin or make apple puff pastry squares.

Get your recipe of Puff Pastry Apple Pies here

• Apple and Blackberry Crumble Filo Pastry Pies

The filo pastry combined with apple and blackberries taste very delicious and is quite healthy as it has only around 250 calories!

Get your recipe of Apple and Blackberry Crumble Filo Pastry Pies here

• Mini Apple Caramel Pies

The recipe is a delicious combination of apple pie and caramel-dipped apples that comes in an easy-to-eat package.

Get your recipe of Mini Apple Caramel Pies here

CHEESECAKE

Mini cheesecakes are all the rage right now and we round a few amazing ones to share with you!

• Mini Cheesecakes

The recipe makes perfect mini cheesecakes and they are available in any flavor you desire.

Get your recipe of Mini Cheesecakes here

• Mini Snickers Cheesecakes

These bite-sized Oreo crusted vanilla cheesecakes are loaded with chunks of Snickers and topped with chocolate ganache, caramel, and even more Snickers for an indulgent treat.

Get your recipe of Mini Snickers Cheesecakes here

• Apple Pie Mini Cheesecake Bites

Smooth and creamy cheesecake topped with tart apples. This handheld cheesecake is ready in under 30 minutes, so easy!

Get your recipe of Apple Pie Mini Cheesecake Bites here

• Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Silky smooth pumpkin cheesecake nestled inside a spicy gingersnap crust. All the flavor of fall in the palm of your hand!

Get your recipe of Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes here

COOKIES

My husband is the original cookie monster – just in case you were curious. These are fun cookie or cookie-style treats you can make from your cupcake tin.

• Almond Orange Mini Gâteaux Bretons

These mini versions of butter-flavored French cakes are scented with orange and almond blossoms.

Get your recipe of Almond Orange Mini Gateaux Bretons here

• Banana Cream Cookie

Banana cream cookie cups are easy to make in cupcake tins using sugar cookie dough and banana pudding mix.

Get your recipe of Banana Cream Cookie here

• Birthday Cookie Chocolate Pudding Cups

If you are a big fan of chocolates then you should love these chocolate pudding cup recipes. It is easy to prepare and does not take much time.

Get your recipe of Birthday Cookie Chocolate Pudding Cups here

• Smores Cookie Cups

Everyone’s favorite bonfire snack turned into dessert! These cookies are filled with layers of graham cracker cookie dough, chocolate, and marshmallow fluff.

Get your recipe of Smores Cookie Cups here

• Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

These homemade peanut butter cups are dark chocolate and much more healthy (and tasty!) than store-bought.

Get your recipe of Homemade Peanut Butter Cups here

OTHER YUMMINESS

Just a few things here that didn’t really fit above – but I had to include them!

• Apricot Upside Down Cakes

With a double dose of apricot, these delicious cakes are a flavorful twist on the traditional pineapple version.

Get your recipe of Apricot Upside Down Cakes here

• Baileys Brownie Bites

The Baileys brownie bites have a chocolatey essence and they bake real fast.

Get your recipe of Baileys Brownie Bites here

• Sticky Toffee Pudding

It is a rich and moist cake that is dipped in a sticky sauce. It is usually served warm accompanied by a dollop of vanilla ice-cream.

Get your recipe of Sticky Toffee Pudding here

Do you have a favorite cupcake tin recipe? Please share!

Like our Cupcake Tin Recipes Article? Try these recipes:

• Lemoncello Cupcakes: A Deliciously Tangy Treat
• Camo Cupcakes: How to Make the Perfect Army-Inspired Treats
• When Making Cupcakes: How Full to Fill the Liners
• Polar Bear Cupcakes: Adorable Treats for Your Winter Party
• Rudolph Cupcakes: A Delicious and Festive Holiday Treat