Can You Bake Directly Into Chinese Food Take Out Containers?
Decorating By lonestarstamper Updated 11 Nov 2010 , 10:14am by JanH
Seems I read a post that someone did this but I can't find the post. Has anyone done this? I will be making a Kung Fu Panda themed cake and thought it would be cute to make little "cupcakes" for each of the kids with the take out boxes lids open and use a fondant extruder to make "noodles".
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Several CC searches returned negative results for using Chinese take out containers (pails) for anything but packaging cookies, candy or cupcakes.
A Google search turned up a thread on the Wilton cake forums where Chinese (paperboard) containers were used for making cupcakes, but a cupcake liner was inserted prior to filling with batter:
http://tinyurl.com/583vp5
I did an exhaustive search on Chinese take out containers (pails) and found that some (polyethylene coated paperboard) were microwaveable - but not dual ovenable.
Using any food container in a manner for which it is not designed or approved sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen....
HTH
I would also be concerned that the baking process would discolor the box. While this sounds like a cute idea, I think I would solve the dilemma by baking the cupcakes as "usual" and then inserting them into your boxes. Add your decorations on top. They might be a little easier to remove from the boxes for eating too. As far as using something for other than it's intended purpose...I would think that since those boxes are used for food, putting food (ie cupcakes) into them would be ok. Good luck and post pics...sounds adorable!
As far as using something for other than it's intended purpose...I would think that since those boxes are used for food, putting food (ie cupcakes) into them would be ok.
The intended purpose of Chinese take out storage containers IS the storage of food.
Using Chinese food storage containers for BAKING is NOT their intended purpose. (Although some CF containers are microwaveable.)
Hope that clarifies my previous post.
Why not make the cupcakes as you normally would and then place into the containers. You could still do the noodle thing on top of the cupcakes once they are inside the container. Doing this way you would not have to wory about any kind of burning or discoloring of the paper containers.
If you want the cake to have the same shape as the container, maybe you could bake a sheet cake and cut into squares that would fit into the containers. Just an idea. HTH and Good Luck. Let us now how it goes.
Teresa
I love your Cake-Outs Rookno17, how fabulous! I have been thinking about a suitable follow up to my daughter's birthday hamburger cupcakes, this looks like the perfect idea!
Hi, Jan...I was able to enlarge the photo and the cake is square and baked in the container. The icing on top is round.
Rae
if you look further down in the pics, you can see the brownie batter right in the takeout container with no liner. i love all the combinations of flavours mentioned.
I am quite smitten with this idea. I am looking to do some breakfast-y type muffins, quick breads, maybe even a yeast raised cinnamon roll something or other. And this way there's no washing pans and they are already packaged--no portioning out. Very very interesting.
Even with cupcakes you gotta remove them one by one and package them a bit--this is all in one. So intriguing. So my style--real freaking easy.
And I was just casually pricing them online they are only 6-8 cents a piece for a quantity of 100--1000.
Plus if you can put some of your own designs on there--way too freaking cool--thank you so much!
I have to admit it has taken some convincing to talk myself out of thinking they are lined with plastic--it must be waxed or something shiney? But for 8 cents each!
Thanks again!!!
Hi there! Cupcakes baked directly in Chinese Take Out containers was one of my most popular items at my specialty bakery.
LOVE the "cupcake" stand with all the Cake-Outs!!
Thank you so much for all the great feedback and for visiting my post!
Indeed, the batter is poured directly into the container -- no cupcake liners are used.
The containers are lined with Carbowax, which is food grade and is safe. Carbowax is the tradename for Polyethylene glycol, which is found in many common household items like toothpaste and skin cream. There's been considerable research on the possible connection to polyethylene glycol helping to prevent colorectal cancer.
Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting that anyone go out and eat Carbowax, or eat anything baked in a Carbowax-lined product every day.
Hi, Jan...I was able to enlarge the photo and the cake is square and baked in the container. The icing on top is round.
Rae
Thanks Rae.
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