Today, we will be concluding our baking tips for beginners series. I must say that I have learnt one or two tricks while compiling this list so I’m sure that even experienced bakers who take the time to read this article will learn something from it as well. That said, here are the remaining baking tips for beginners:
Keep your Oven Door Closed:
Do you know why most baking recipes ask you to preheat the oven before you even start preparation? It’s because ovens take time to settle into a temperature. In fact, the average oven takes at least twenty minutes to heat up and create the kind of consistent environment needed for baking. Thus, when you put your item into the oven, close it quickly. Most baking recipes give you a range of cooking time. Work with that and resist the temptation to open the oven and peek at your creation every minute as doing this will release the trapped air in the oven and alter its environment. If you must peek, peek through your oven window and when you think your baked goods should be ready, do a toothpick test quickly and remove it from the oven.Chill your Cookie Dough:
This simple technique firms up the dough thereby decreasing the possibility of overspreading. This also enhances the cookie flavour and makes it easier to shape. Chilling the dough is also a simple treatment for a sticky dough. Let me mention here that if the dough is too hard to handle after chilling, it should be allowed to sit at room temperature for ten minutes or more after chilling.
Grease and Line your Pan with Parchment Paper:
There is nothing more heartbreaking than investing time and energy in baking only for your baked good to stick to the bottom or sides of the pan. How you go do am? How you wan take start? Well, the only way to prevent this from happening is to thoroughly grease the bottom and sides of your pan using softened butter or nonstick baking spray. Afterwards, use flour to lightly dust over the grease then use parchment paper to line the bottom of the pan. Please note that parchment paper should fit the bottom of the pan perfectly. The best way to get the correct measurement is to roll out the parchment paper on a flat surface like the kitchen counter and place the pan over it. Use a pen to trace around the pan to create a liner that will fit into the pan perfectly.Fill the Pans Only 2/3 Full:
As a beginner, I made the mistake of filling the cake batter to the top of the pan. This caused an overflow as I left no room for it to expand and rise. That’s why I’m telling you today not to do it. Give your cake some room to rise. You’ll be happier with the look of your finished product if you do.
Store Leftover Cookie Dough with Bread:
Bet you didn’t know about this one. But if you want to keep your leftover cookies extra soft, then store them in a container with a regular piece of bread. The cookie will absorb all the bread’s moisture leaving it hard and the cookie extra soft for days.Don’t Give Up:
Do not be discouraged by a few failed attempts. Learn from every mistake and keep trying till you get it right. Always remember that the persistent always wins. So, the more you bake, the better you’ll become.
I hope you find these tips useful. Wishing you the best of luck as you embark on this baking journey.
Sources
Grandbaby Cakes
Sally’s Baking Addiction
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