By the time you finish this post, you should be preparing your next treat.
Here we go…and stop looking confused!
Using the Right Ingredients
Check the expiration date. Duh!
Pay attention to measurements. MUST. MUST. MUST!!!!
Use the freshest ingredients possible. Best results!
Preparing the Baking Area
Before you begin, it’s important to prepare your baking area. Clean the countertop and gather all of your tools (scale, measuring cups and spoons, mixer, mixing bowls, spatula, etc.).
Clean the surface of any dust or debris that may be on it with a damp cloth or sponge. (Vinegar and water always does the trick!)
Preheat your oven by setting it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit/180 degrees Celsius for at least 10 minutes before putting anything in there!
If you’re baking larger portions than a recipe calls for(double or triple), lower the oven temperature by at least 10 degrees F, and up to about 50-60 degrees F, depending on recipe, and oven temperature.
Mixing the Batter
Mixing the batter is a crucial step in baking. If you don’t mix it correctly, your cake or cupcakes could turn out flat and dense. Here’s how to do it right:
Read the recipe thoroughly before beginning. Make sure that you understand how long each part of the process will take, and plan accordingly!
Mixing order matters when making cakes and cupcakes; follow instructions carefully so that they come out looking exactly as intended (and not like something else). For example, if a recipe calls for creaming butter with sugar first before adding eggs or other ingredients–do so! You’ll get better results than if you just threw everything together at once without any prep work beforehand (which would result in an unappetizing mess).
Remember to NOT OVERMIX!!! Cakes and cupcakes that are overmixed will have a tough, dense texture–and nobody wants that! When you’re mixing your batter, keep it on low speed and mix until just combined. If you see some streaks of flour or other ingredients left in the bowl after a minute or two of mixing, stop right away. Over-mixing can also cause air bubbles to get trapped inside the batter; this will result in cakes with holes, which aren’t very appetizing despite their appearance.
If you’re making a cake or cupcakes, make sure that your ingredients are at room temperature before you start. This will ensure that they mix together smoothly and don’t separate when baking. If a recipe calls for eggs, separate them into yolks and whites before adding the yolks to other ingredients (like butter). This will prevent the eggs from curdling when they cook!
Troubleshooting Common Batter Problems
If you’re having trouble with your baked goods, here are some common problems and their solutions.
Undercooked goods: If a cake or muffin is not done in the middle, it’s probably because you didn’t bake it long enough. Try increasing the temperature by 25 degrees F (15 C) and baking for an additional 5 minutes before checking again.
Burnt goods: If your cookies, brownies or other baked good has burned on top while still being raw inside–or if they’re just burnt all around–it may be because you left them in too long at too high of a temperature. Reduce both to avoid this problem next time!
Lumpy batter: Make sure that all ingredients are fully combined before pouring into pans; otherwise there will be pockets of flour or sugar throughout the batter which will cause lumps when baked! Also make sure that any eggs have been beaten until smooth – this will ensure even distribution throughout each bite-sized morsel when served later on down the road.”
Is my Cheesecake done: Shake the pan gently. Is the batter jiggling? How much? A little jiggle in the center isn’t too bad, and the cake can be removed from the oven. The whole batter jiggling, says we need more time baking.
Using Different Baking Methods
Baking is a method of cooking that uses prolonged dry heat. It’s used to cook different types of food, such as breads and cakes. There are many ways you can bake at home, including in an oven or microwave, on the stovetop and even in a slow cooker!
Making Substitutions
Oops! If you don’t have all the right ingredients, don’t worry! You can still bake something delicious with what you have on hand. For example, if you don’t have any eggs but do have some applesauce and baking powder, just substitute one for the other in your recipe. Or you can’t find avocado oil, just use olive oil. No biggie!
Substitute tools. If an item is too expensive or hard to find where you live, try using something else instead–like a whisk instead of an electric mixer or a fork instead of a pastry cutter. It might take some getting used to at first but will save money in the long run!
Substitute baking methods: If there’s another way that works better than how it says in the recipe (e.g., mixing by hand), go ahead and give it a shot!
Check out our substitution page for easy cooking and baking substitutes!
NOTE: Some ingredients yield different results due to substitution, and some recipes require exact ingredients. All substitutions aren’t foolproof!
The Perfect Dessert!
Happy?!
