photo by ms.Tea

Most of us know that common household items can wear many hats. Wallpaper becomes a shelf liner or a bookmark; newspapers get their second wind cleaning windows and ripening tomatoes; and coffee filters become great dusting cloths or grease strainers.

Today, we’ll consider new uses for muffin pans. They are easy to find and inexpensive to buy, whether new or secondhand. Their obvious purpose is to make delicious muffins and cupcakes, but why stop there?

Whether you’re deciding to keep or toss an item, trying to get organized, are concerned with the environment or just enjoy saving money, you’ll appreciate the following tips.

COOKING: Use muffin pans when prepping for recipes such as meatloaf, baby food, gelatin, quiches, cheesecakes, brownies and mini-potpies. Ingredients will be close at hand, and they won’t take up as much space as individual bowls.

MOLDS: Use them to make ice and candles, and as molds for melted-down leftover crayons.

STORAGE: Great way to store items such as hair accessories and jewelry, small toys, beads, rubber bands, paper clips, nuts, bolts and screws.

DECOR: Vintage muffin pans make great wall hangings. The cubbies act as shelves to display a collection of small things.

ADVENT CALENDAR: Create an advent calendar using a 24-cup mini-muffin pan. Add small items such as dollar-store toys, and cover each hole with a piece of cardboard covered with gift wrap. You can Velcro the pieces of wrapped cardboard to the muffin pan and simply remove one each day.

GIFT BOX: Place small items such as homemade or store-bought dishcloths, rolled-up cloth napkins, tea bags, candies or pot scrubbers into a covered muffin pan to give as a gift.

GARDENING: Use a muffin pan for starting seeds or growing kitchen herbs.
SNACK ATTACK: When serving ice cream, place scoops and toppings such as sprinkles, cherries, nuts and candy into each cup. The pan can also be used to hold various snacks, like pretzels, chips, cheese, raw veggies or dip.

PARTIES: Great idea for holding various holiday cookie-decorating treats, such as colored sugar and frosting. When hosting a cookout, add condiments and toppings such as relish, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, ketchup and mustard to a muffin tin for easy carrying and serving. You can also use the pans as centerpieces – just add votive candles.

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Place paints, play dough, clay and craft supplies — such as buttons and foamies — into muffin tins for easy access.

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