Need some advice.. I'll be doing a dessert table with all mini items - cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, apple pie, and truffles.  For the brownies, I was going to bake in mini-cupcake pans.  For the apple pie and cheesecake, would I also bake in the mini-cupcake pan, or will these end up being too tiny?  Has anyone done this, and would this make sense if my client wants all mini items?

AApple pies and cheesecakes, I would bake in a standard muffin tin. Mini would be WAY too small for pie, in my opinion.

Thanks for your reply!  I was thinking that cheesecakes could be okay, but apple pies too small. What do others think?

I've done a lot of dessert tables. Some items, such as bars and brownies, take less time if you bake in sheets. Then cut into triangles (small squares cut diagonally) and place each piece in a small paper candy or muffin cup. Not only is it faster but they also look special.

Hi - I've done numerous trays with mini desserts - no pies or cheesecake though. I have done mini pecan tarts in the mini muffin tins and those came out fine. I've also done brownies in the same pan - those also come out great. Mostly I did piped cookies, mini whoopie pies and bar cookies. Good luck!

RJ

nadia, I used mini-sized pans only for the complementary visual since those individual items took more time. You can cut brownies into any size that works. My menu didn't state a specific size so I had the freedom to cut as necessary for any event. 

Thanks for all your help! Does anyone have advice on the mini cheesecakes and mini pies?

For mini cheesecakes I use a silicon whoopie pie tray, I do give it a light spray with a little canola oil . Then I put the cheesecake into the moulds and top them with a biscuit that fits the top . when they are set , I then turn them out . The biscuit has usually softens slightly and you have a lovely dome on cheesecake sitting on top. 

For the pies and cheesecakes, my question was if I should use mini-cupcake pans or regular cupcake pans?

Thanks for the tip about the pies...I'll try that.  Or has anyone made hand pies?

Oh. You can use a mini cupcake pan for the cheesecakes, no problem. I do all the time. If your not lining them with paper than freeze them before trying to release. Than use a torch or heat to loosen them from the pan and they will pop out perfect looking.

Yes, I make hand pies.............they have the same issues as a mini pie. Your must roll your dough thin and really stuff them or they turn out tasting like all pie dough and no filling. That's why I'm suggesting you think about making them like a mini tart.