12-Cup Muffin Pan

Standard 12-cup pans vary more than you might think, and thin ones bake pale on top and dark underneath. This pan is heavy-gauge aluminized steel with a light gold nonstick coating that reflects enough heat to keep bottoms from scorching. Rolled edges at both ends give you something solid to grab with oven mitts.

Grease the cups lightly or use paper liners, fill them about three quarters full, and cool muffins in the pan for five minutes before twisting them out. Wash with warm soapy water and a soft sponge. Metal utensils and abrasive pads can scratch the coating, so reach for a thin plastic spatula instead.