The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find I Stock up on During the Holidays (It's a Life-Changer)

Earlier this year, I found myself in a predicament. I had promised to bring homemade cupcakes to three events—a family party, a neighborhood potluck, and a going away party for my husband's colleague—all happening within 48 hours of each other.

As I stood in my kitchen, surrounded by cooling racks full of chocolate cupcakes, a wave of anxiety hit me: How was I going to transport all of these without turning them into a mess? 

That's when I remembered seeing reusable plastic cupcake containers at the Dollar Tree a few months earlier. After daycare pickup, I detoured to Dollar Tree and picked up what would later become my favorite holiday hack: their stackable cupcake and cake trays.

At just $1.25 each, these unassuming containers have become a saving grace for my holiday baking. Not only do they solve the transportation dilemma, but they've also eliminated that awkward "When can I get my container back?" dance. (Though I would never actually ask this.) They're so affordable that you can treat them as part of the gift–and sturdy enough to be reused time and time again. It's freedom in container form!

Why I Love the Dollar Tree's Portable Baking Trays

The cupcake containers are excellent, with nine compartments that keep your creations from toppling during transport. Even if you wanted to send a full dozen, two containers will only cost $2.50. The snap-on lids are surprisingly secure—I've driven over speed bumps with them and arrived with every swirl of buttercream intact.

Just be sure to test that the lids aren't warped so they sit in the crevice on the base and the snaps close properly before leaving the store. They are made of plastic, so imperfections can happen. And to state the obvious, they're also ideal for muffins. I don't know a newly postpartum mom who wouldn't appreciate receiving a batch of muffins in a container that she didn't have to manage after.

I also can't say enough good things about the cake trays. They're a great way to transport a range of baked goods like small cakes, bundt cakes, bars, pies, brownies, and cookies, But they also make a clever base for a transportable cheese or charcuterie board. (If using it for this purpose, cut everything in advance, so there's no need to use knives on it.) It was such an easy way to take some charcuterie to a park picnic that it prompted me to think of other outside-the-box uses. For example, the cupcake trays are perfect for organizing holiday craft supplies for kids' parties (the compartments are great for separating beads and buttons), and the cake container is an easy way to transport a fruit or veggie tray. 

They're available year-round, but I recommend stocking up now that the holidays are around the corner. Like all Dollar Tree treasures, the good items tend to fly off the shelves faster than hot cocoa on the first snow day. I usually buy four or five packs during the holidays. They're perfect for cookie exchanges, teacher gifts, or when you want to show up with something homemade but want to avoid the added stress of container management. The holidays are stressful enough—your baking containers shouldn't add to that stress. These Dollar Tree trays are a little piece of mind waiting to make your life a bit easier. And isn't that what we're all looking for this time of year?