If you're a complete baking novice, here's 20 simple tips, tricks, and hacks that will help you to navigate your baking journey as a beginner!
Baking may seem daunting when you are starting out - but, with practice, you can perfect it, and create a list of foolproof recipes for yourself in no time.
1. Add some coffee to chocolate-flavored goodies
This straightforward hack enhances the flavour and can be quite effective. You will see the difference for yourself when you try it out.
2. Simplify the recipe
Make your baking life even easier by using homemade Bisquick. It's basically flour, baking powder, salt and butter - all in one ready to use set up. Perfect for cakes, cookies, pancakes and scones.
3. Don't forget a pinch of salt
It doesn't matter what kind of baking you're doing, from cookies to pies to cakes, a pinch of salt is essential. You shouldn't be able to taste it, it's just there to makes the flavours more distinct - great for baking both sweet and savoury.
4. How to know when your meringues are done?
Turn your bowl upside down if you're aiming for stiff peaks from beaten egg whites. It will have a basic idea when it's ready, but this will be a no fail test.
5. Flip the uppermost layer upside down
If you are making a layer cake, for a straight frosting surface, turn the cake upside-down. Adding a crumb layer helps too (a crumb layer is an initial layer of frosting before the actual finishing frosting is applied).
6. If your recipe requires you to cream the butter and sugar together, take time to do it right
This is an essential step in many recipes, but most recipes don’t give you detailed instructions on how to carry it out. It is better to have room-temperature butter and then beat it on a medium setting for a couple of minutes while scraping the bowl. To find out if it’s ready, roll a little between your fingers to see if the sugar granules have completely dissolved. Once you get that consistency, you are good to go.
7. Instead of eggshells, use your hands to separate whites from yolks
If you use your hands, your less likely to get shell in the mixture, or to pierce the egg yolk. And it's easier to be honest.
8. Invest in an oven thermometer
If you're in any doubt about your oven temperature you should invest in one of these. Baking is a precise activity, and without the correct temperature, the bake may fail.
9. And a kitchen scale
Again, it's a precise business this baking lark, so you need to be sure you have exact measurements.
10. Keep your cake secure
When you're frosting your cake, you need a steady hand and you also need the cake to stay in one position, to do this, add a blob of frosting to the base, so it doesn't move around the plate.
11. Let your cookie dough rest
You should always allow your dough to rest - a few hours is good, overnight is brilliant, a day or two is perfect.
12. Pre-line your cake stand with parchment paper
This will help make sure it stays clean while frosting. Remember to be careful while slipping the cake on the stand once you are done. You will be left with a spotless stand to flaunt your masterpiece.
13. Learn the science behind chocolate chip cookies
Getting your cookies right is one of the most significant challenges of baking, so you have to invest your time and effort to perfect them. All of us have different preferences. Read and acquaint yourself as much as you can about the process for yours.
14. Place your mixing bowl in the freezer
It is best to let the bowl you are planning to make your whipping cream rest in the freezer for five minutes. It will make the cream extra fluffy. Avoid using a refrigerator to chill your bowl. Set a timer too so you don't forget about it.
15. Sifting is vital, don’t skip it
This may seem unnecessary but is quite essential. It will help you to make sure that no lumps are present, and all dry ingredients have combined well.
16. The pan comes before the batter, always prepare it first!
Make sure you lightly grease or line your pan before you start baking. This means it's all set and ready once the batter is made.
17. Set the timer five minutes before its allotted time
This will help avoid drying out or overcooking your treats. No matter how much you trust your oven or the recipe, neither is ever completely accurate and may mess up the process at any given time. Time and temperature are vital while baking. A minor mishap can ruin your baked deliciousness. So, make sure to check your cake a few minutes before it’s supposed to be ready. You need ot be pretty quick a this too - if the oven loses heat, you risk a flopped cake.
18. Put your piping bags in a mason jar or a glass
This makes pouring the frosting into the bag so much easier. Just put your piping bag inside a container and fold it over the edges. Yes, it’s that simple!
19. Using the correct size of eggs is essential
Medium and extra-large or jumbo eggs can significantly vary in size and may alter the whole outcome of your recipe, so be super cautious!
20. So is using the required temperature of the butter
The temperature of ingredients is more critical than you think! A handy trick to soften the butter is covering it with a bowl after you microwaved the bowl for a couple of minutes. Et voila.
You're now one step closer to baking delicious treats! Happy baking!
