Ran out of muffin liners just as you’re ready to bake? No problem. With a roll of parchment paper, a pair of scissors, a glass or can, and about 10 minutes, you can make tulip-style muffin liners at home that look charming and work great.
This happened to me while making almond poppy seed muffins. I couldn’t find any store-bought liners, so I grabbed a roll of parchment paper and improvised. In under 20 minutes I had enough liners for a jumbo batch and the muffins baked up perfectly.
DIY parchment liners are a simple, useful trick for home bakers. They work for breakfast muffins, party cupcakes, or whenever you want a rustic, homemade presentation. Below I’ll walk you through an easy no-measuring method for making tulip-shaped parchment liners that fit your pan.
What You’ll Need to Make Parchment Paper Muffin Liners
Gather these simple items before you start:
- Parchment paper – nonstick, oven-safe parchment is ideal (unbleached is a nice natural look).
- Scissors – sharp paper scissors for clean cuts.
- Muffin pan – this tutorial uses a 6-cup jumbo pan but the method adapts to any size.
- Glass or can – use one with a base small enough to sit inside the well of your muffin pan; a pint glass works well for many pans.
Because these liners will touch food, make sure your parchment, scissors, glass, and hands are clean. You don’t need a ruler or pencil; folding replaces measuring.
Sizes vary between pans and preferred muffin heights, so this method is flexible. If you want quick guidelines, follow the cut sizes listed in the steps below. For this tutorial I used a 6-well jumbo muffin pan with wells approximately 1.5 inches deep.
Step-by-Step Video and Photo Instructions
Step 1: Fold the short end of a sheet of parchment inward so it forms a long, folded strip (a “hot dog” fold). Place the base of your glass on top of the fold and make sure about 1–2 inches of paper extend beyond the glass edge to form the liner walls.
If you’re making liners for a jumbo pan, a roughly 6-inch fold works well. For reference:
- Jumbo muffin pan: cut ~6-inch squares
- Regular muffin pan: cut ~5-inch squares
- Mini muffin pan: cut ~3–4-inch squares
Step 2: Cut the paper along the bottom of the fold so you have one long folded strip. This gives you a neat, double-thickness piece to work with.
Pro tip: For a smooth cut, place the paper between the inner edges of the scissors, hold it taut, and cut in one continuous motion.
Step 3: Fold the strip into three equal sections horizontally, like a brochure, creating a trifold. The exact number of folds depends on your paper width and the liner size you need; the goal is equal squares.
Step 4: Cut along the crease lines you made so you end up with multiple equal squares. With the measurements above you should get six squares from a folded strip.
Pro tip: Cut extras and store them in a drawer so you can skip straight to shaping next time.
Step 5: Shape each square into a liner. Place a square over the bottom of the glass, crease the paper over the curved base and press firmly so the paper holds the cup shape.
Step 6: Press and twist the glass (with the paper folded over it) down into the muffin well so the paper flares into a tulip shape. Remove the glass and repeat. The liners should stand on their own and are ready for batter.
Which is Better: DIY or Store-bought Muffin Liners?
Both options have advantages. DIY parchment liners add a homemade, rustic charm and are easy to peel away from baked goods. They are customizable to fit any pan. Store-bought liners are convenient, consistent, and some reusable silicone cups save time and waste in the long run. Choose based on how much time you have and the look you want.
Pros of DIY Liners
- Homemade liners give baked goods a charming, rustic presentation.
- Parchment releases muffins and cupcakes cleanly—batter sticks less than to some paper liners.
- Sizes are fully adjustable to any pan or muffin height.
Pros of Store-bought Liners
- Ready to use and easy to store; they save time when you’re in a hurry.
- Frees up time for baking and cleanup instead of crafting liners.
- Reusable silicone cups are durable and simple to clean.
Which do you prefer—homemade or store-bought liners? Comment below to share your choice and why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Muffin liners hold individual muffins or cupcakes, prevent batter from sticking to the pan, and make serving more hygienic.
Yes, but grease the muffin wells thoroughly. Liners are recommended to reduce sticking and make removal easier.
Parchment is generally nonstick, so greasing is usually unnecessary. For very rich batters or fruit-filled muffins, a light spray can help ensure easy release.
Any oven-safe, nonstick parchment works well. Unbleached parchment gives a natural look and bakes reliably.
Next time you want that homemade aesthetic or simply run out of liners, try this quick parchment method. It’s fast, versatile, and gives a lovely tulip presentation to your muffins and cupcakes.
Muffin Recipes with Homemade Liners
These muffin recipes bake beautifully in parchment liners:
- Almond Poppy Seed Muffins
- Sourdough Discard Blueberry Muffins
- Jumbo Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Easy Cinnamon Banana Bread Muffins
Tried this tutorial? Leave a rating and tag @brokenovenbaking on social to show how your liners turned out!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Muffin Liners From Scratch
Kayla Burton
Equipment
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Parchment paper
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Scissors
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Muffin pan
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Glass or can that fits inside muffin pan
Instructions
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Fold a sheet of parchment paper lengthwise (hot dog style) and place the glass base on the fold. Leave about 1–2 inches of paper extending beyond the glass edge then crease the paper around the glass.
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Cut the paper at the end of the fold so you have one folded strip to work with.
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Fold the strip into thirds across its width to create equal squares.
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Cut along the creases to separate the squares.
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Place a square over the bottom of the glass, fold it into a cup shape, then press and twist the glass down into the muffin well. Remove the glass and repeat for each liner.
Notes
No ruler needed: This folding method adapts to the glass or can that fits your pan, so precise measuring isn’t required.
General measurements:
- Jumbo muffin pans: cut 6-inch squares
- Regular muffin pans: cut 5-inch squares
- Mini muffin pans: cut 3–4-inch squares
Leave a comment and tag @brokenovenbaking on social to share your results.