Nordic Ware Pro Cast Dinosaur Cakelette Pan

I made these in secret for our 5 & 8 year old boys, and were they EXCITED! We had a combo of their birthdays at Peter Piper Pizza, with all their friends, and these little cakes were easy to take along, and ALL the kids were thrilled! We put a candle in each one and had everyone blow them out at the same time, after we sang "HBD to you." It was a HIT, but a couple of the kids wanted to "SAVE" theirs instead of gobbling them up - didn't plan on that - needed toters or baggies or something for their cakes, and a marker for their names (just FYI.)
I wanted GREAT DEFINITION in the details on the cakes, so this is what I did: First, I heated the pan while the oven was preheating, THEN sprayed the insides of the hot pan thoroughly with food release spray. Then I put 1/4 cup batter in each HOT dinosaur (the sections only hold 1/3 cup to the TOP, so more was too much) and baked them 25 degrees HOTTER then called for, AND FOR A LOT LESS TIME. (Watch the cakes!) After cooling for ten...Read more

I really really really love this pan. I've never once had a problem getting the cakes out because I always spray with non-stick spray first. The *only* complaint I could possibly give here is that clean up is such a pain, often requiring a cotton swab to get everything out of each crack and crevice. Still, that's the price one pays for having that level of detail in a cake pan.

I find just plain muffin packets work fine. I like the chocolate chip mix. Use Baker's Joy for great results.