What To Do If You Do Not Have Ramekins? Have you ever avoided a recipe because you didn’t have any?
When I post recipes like custard and other foods that require ramekins, one question I’m often asked is, “What do I do if I don’t have ramekins?”
Ramekins are simply small oven safe dishes that are the perfect size for a single serving.
Ramekins are used for things like custards, puddings, and many other dishes. They are inexpensive and can be found at places like Walmart and Target.
However, I know that many of you do not have a lot of extra room to store dishes that you will only use a few times a year. You also do not want to spend money on dishes that you will use only occasionally.
I own several ramekins, but my problem is that I only have a few. I have enough to serve my family dessert, but I do not have enough to serve company a dessert using ramekins.
So, what do I do when I want to serve something like a custard to a large group of people?
I bring out the jars. Small jam type jars work great and they are something that can be used over and over again and for many different things.
They are also very inexpensive and can be purchased almost anywhere.
I used jars for my Chocolate and White Chocolate Custard and it worked perfectly for serving family and friends at a barbecue we hosted recently.
I have also used small jars for recipes like my banana bread pudding. Not only do they work in place of ramekins, but small jars also work great for individual sized desserts.
Lemon souffle would be great served to company in small jars as well.
So, if you do not want to purchase ramekins consider using small jars instead. They are inexpensive and easy to use and store.
What fun ways do you use jars?
Thank you so much for sharing this tip! As much as I love {and use} jars, you would have thought I would have thought of that before! What a beautiful photo of your custard filled jars, too. 🙂
That IS a great idea… I don’t have ramekins but do have jars!
Can you bake in these jars?
@Erica Burgan, I have not had any trouble with baking in them. Many people do pies or other things in a jar. jars are made to with stand pressure canning and other extreme temperatures so I have never worried about using them for baking.
What a great idea! I don’t always have enough ramekins…but I always have the small jars (from making the Pie in a Jar). Thanks….I would not have thought to use them!
Wow, I guess I’m in the minority here! I have a ton of ramekins, though most of them are mixmatched, and very few jars. I use ramekins for little snack dishes (e.g. single scoops of ice cream) or on the very rare occasions when I do mise en place. I also have a few different types of holiday-themed shaped ones. On the other hand, the only jars I have are ones I save from salsa or sauces since I’ve never done canning. Thanks for all the tips!
@Jenn, I have very few small jars. I do have bigger salsa jars that I use when I make my own spaghetti sauce, but I’ve never actually done any canning. I make just enough spaghetti sauce for a week or so and store it in salsa jars in the refrigerator.
Great idea. Unfortunately, I don’t have small jars either, but I was thinking about buying some ramekins because the custard recipes sound delicious. I love custard!
You can use coffee cups or mugs too
@Sarah Cassill, I have used coffee cups for individual bread puddings and it works great.
That’s what I was wondering about. Thanks!
I use coffee mugs when I do not have enough ramekins. I especially like coffee mugs because they have a handle and are more “portable” (in case I am eating other than at a dining table).
@JUDY, I love that idea. I do have coffee mugs, so I think I’ll try that.
Can you bake typical coffee mugs? I’m guessing yes…but just checking!
Can you bake typical coffee mugs? I’m guessing yes…but just checking!
I even the use the little jars to make individual creme brulees in my crock pot. So yummy! I am always using the little jars in my kitchen. They’re great for individual snacks for the kids, packing yogurt for my lunch, storing iced tea concentrate that I take to work in my lunch and so on.
I have never had ramekins either and wondered what to use. What size are the jars you used. Thanks.
@Peggy Clyde, I use little jam jars so 1/2 pint or even a little smaller work well.
I use mugs instead of ramekins, or I cook the recipe in a casserole dish, and divide it up before serving.
I came across your site while looking for ramikins for a brunch. I need about 30 and that would be quite expensive. Your suggestion of small jars is such a wonderful idea. Off today to look for jars. Thank you, they will mbe filled with apple,blueberry crumble for my brunch.
@Maryann dubbs, I am glad that you found my site. I hope you can find some jars that work and that you have a great brunch!
The jars is an AWESOME idea!! I have no ramekins and I was wondering how I would do some of these recipes. Great!!
I am glad that you found it helpful. It really works well.
What a great idea!!!!!! Thank you
Hi Lynn,
Can you bake typical coffee mugs? I’m guessing yes…but just checking!
I think you can, but I have not tried it enough to know. Most of my coffee mugs are fiestaware and I know they are fine.
Thank you so much! I was wondering what to do