Do you like thinking about the box? Or in this case, the cup?
Many household items sold today actually have a variety of uses beyond what the item was intended for. In this case, we’re looking at silicone baking cups.
Sure, silicone baking cups are great because they can be used over and over again to get perfect shaped muffins and cupcakes. And who doesn’t like muffins and cupcakes?
But you can actually use these cups for a lot more than just baking sugary treats. Check out these 35 examples.
1. Freeze herbs and fruits
You can preserve herbs by freezing them. Pour some oil and herbs in your cups and put in the freezer. Pop out when frozen and put in a freezer bag. You can also use this method with water and fruit for quick smoothies.
2. Get a secure grip on bottles
Having trouble opening that bottle of ketchup? Silicone will help you get a good grip. Just be careful not to damage your silicone cups doing this.
The cup holders in our car can get pretty raunchy. Never scrape gunk out of it again. Just insert a silicone cup to let this catch all the dirt and grime.
Everyone loves a good quiche, but most of us can do without the carby crust. You can make crustless grab-and-go egg muffins in silicone cups. Get the recipe
here.
5. Make individual gelatin servings
There’s only so much room you can leave for Jello. Make individual servings by pouring your Jello into silicone cups. You can also use this for ice cream, Rice Krispie treats and other goodies.
Small ice cubes can melt really quickly in something like a punch bowl. Use silicone cups to make large ices cubes. They’ll last longer in the punch bowl.
7. Make perfect poached eggs
Spray your silicone cup with some oil or butter. Pour an egg inside of it. Boil a pot with a few inches of water in it. Reduce heat so it simmers and slowly place your cup inside. Cook for three to four minutes.
8. Melt butter or chocolate
Easily melt small amounts of butter or chocolate in the microwave with silicone cups. Just be sure not to overfill them. They are super easy to clean.
In France, they like to use a method known as Mise en place, which means “use every bowl you have to hold measured ingredients. Measuring out your ingredients and placing them in silicone cups before you start cooking helps to organize the process. It’s especially helpful if you have to work fast once you start cooking.
Instead of buying those silicone tubes to peel garlic you can use a silicone muffin cup. Place your clove in the middle of the cup. Roll it on the counter or in between your hands to remove the garlic skin.
Don’t waste paper by placing your dirty spoons on a napkin or paper towel. Use silicone cups instead. Just set your spoon down on one and rinse it clean.
Need some portion control in your life? Silicone cups are the perfect size for snacks. Just wash and reuse.
Make sure your hands are safe when grabbing a hot pot handle or lid. Use silicone cups to protect your fingers from the heat. Just don’t hang onto the hot handle for too long.
Instead of busting out big bulky bowls, use silicone cups to separate egg whites and yolks. You can fit one egg in each cup. Unless you use the bigger ones.
Sometimes you need a little help opening up your sinuses. Shower soothers are perfect for this. Using silicone cups prevents them from crumbling. Learn how to make them
here.
Baking cups don’t have to be only used in the kitchen. For instance, you can use them in your bathroom for small bathroom accessories like q-tips, cotton balls or hair ties. Use a variety of colors to add a splash of vibrancy to your bathroom.
Bento lunch boxes are adorable. But not all lunch boxes come with sorted sections. That’s where silicon baking cups come in. Use them to separate foods for your child to enjoy.
For a healthy, protein-rich breakfast, make frittatas using silicone baking cups. Simply fill the baking cups with a handful of sauteed vegetables and a grated cheese, then add some beaten eggs. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 350˚F and enjoy.
Do you ever get too carried away with your cooking skills and make too much sauce? I know I have been there. Instead of stowing your delicious sauce in tupperware, use a silicone baking cup instead.
With a silicone pastry brush, brush the inside of silicone baking cups with melted chocolate. Once the chocolate has cooled and set in the refrigerator, gently remove the baking cup. Now you have edible chocolate cups to serve whichever chocolate-complementing snacks you can think of, such as nuts, strawberries, or more ice cream.
Have a craving for frozen yogurt? In this summer heat, it’s certainly understandable. Indulge in that summer craving with homemade frozen yogurt cups.
I love microwaveable cakes. They are a quick tasty treat when I want something sweet. But I couldn’t eat the whole cake by myself; well, I could, but my thighs wouldn’t approve. Luckily, with silicone baking cups, you can take the microwaveable cake and divide it into smaller portions to share with your family and friends. Problem solved!
23. Quaintly partitioned oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great, healthy snack to have in the morning. But preparing oatmeal from scratch takes a good amount of time, and let’s face it, most of us don’t have the luxury of taking our sweet time in the mornings. Instead, portion and freeze already cooked oatmeal. Simply re-heat the oatmeal snack when you’re ready to consume it.
Just like with a bathroom organizer, silicone baking cups don’t only have to be used in the kitchen. If you have paper clips, push pins, or any other small office tools you’d like to keep in one place, grab a handy baking cup. Just be careful not to prick yourself if you’re storing push pins in there.
25. Board game piece holder
If you’re playing a game like battleship, you have a lot of small game pieces to keep up with. With a silicone baking cup, you can keep all of those tiny battleships together in one spot. This is also a great idea for games like checkers or Connect 4.
26. Lego mini hot tub (or other imaginary play)
It doesn’t matter if you’re an adult or a child. All of us should indulge in some healthy imagining from time to time. Want to give your child (or yourself) lego accessories without buying another pack? Give them a baking cup to use in whatever creative way they see fit.
Hosting a dinner party? Add a little decoration to baking cups. You’ll get adorable custom serving dishes to serve all your tasty treats.
28. Travel water bowl for dogs
Traveling with your dog? Don’t forget to keep them healthily hydrated by giving them water from time to time. Carry a small silicone baking cup to act as an on-the-go doggy water bowl.
Dress up a soda bottle with a bottle skirt. Simply cut a hole in the bottom of your baking cup. Shimmy it on down the bottle for a cute decorative accent.
This is a great addition to a dorm or any bedroom. The more colors, the better.
Follow this tutorial to achieve this look.
If you are giving a gift of homemade jam or something similar in a jar, try this tip. Use a silicone baking cup to add a little colorful finish to the present. It’s a simple yet thoughtful way to dress up a gift.
No one likes to be sipping on their beverage only to look down and see a pesky fly making himself feel at home in there. Bleh! Talk about a mood ruiner. Luckily, a baking cup is just the item you need to keep these sneaky bugs away.
33. A unique light fixture
This idea came from HGTV. It looks complicated, but this craft is simply baking cups glued to a paper lantern.
Follow these instructions to make one for yourself.
When the sun is out, the drinks come out. Hosting a pool party?
Follow this tutorial to make these creative drink toppers.
Popsicles are tasty little summer treats. But no one likes the sticky mess they leave behind. Use a silicone baking cup to absorb any melting liquids.
For an item called silicone baking cups, you might have begun this slideshow thinking this was all going to be about baking. Well, you were pleasantly surprised, right?
I was surprised as well. Who would have thought there were so many uses for little baking cups!
These are just some ideas as well. If you think of more, share it with us! I hope some of these tips help make your everyday life easier!
