Baking is so much fun but there is always room for improvement. Here are 10 baking tips to help you make even better cakes, biscuits and pastries.
- When baking with flour and other dry ingredients, use a sieve in order to get a smooth and lump-free consistency.
- It’s always a good idea to make a double batch and freeze biscuits, cakes and muffins – perfect for when unexpected visitors pop in.
- Never open the oven during baking, as this lets heat out and interferes with the baking process.
- Use a toothpick or a skewer to test your cake for doneness by placing it into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.
- If you are not sure about the freshness of your baking powder, put a teaspoon in half a cup of water. If it doesn’t fizz, it’s too old.
- To keep a mixing bowl from sliding around when you’re whisking something, place it on a damp kitchen towel.
- Always set your timer 5 to 10 minutes earlier than what the recipe calls for. Oven temperatures vary, and leaving your dish in for too long can cause overcooking.
- When baking biscuits, muffins and cakes, make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature to avoid ending up with a greasy product.
- Cracks and uneven surfaces on cakes are caused by too much flour or too hot an oven. If a cake sinks, it is probably due to too much baking powder or under baking.
- Meringue will always stand up high and perfect if you use a generous pinch of baking soda while beating whites.
