Baking 101: Tips for Beginners
Although it can be intimidating for newbies, baking can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. So, you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to learn how to bake. Fantastic! Time for you to bring out your mixing bowls, weighing scales, and other kitchen appliances and whip up some delicious goods in the oven.
Mise-en-place
Mise-en-place basically means preparing your ingredients and required materials in advance to streamline the baking process. Pre-measure your ingredients and have all the necessary materials close to you. This allows you to focus on the recipe rather than having to pause to measure your ingredients or search for tools as you go. A little preparation saves you a lot of time.
Read and Reread the Recipe
Take time to learn the entire recipe. Take note of all the ingredients, appliances, kitchenware, and steps required without overlooking anything. Baking is about precision and care.
The Right Ingredients
The right ingredients will lead you to the right place. Choose high-quality ingredients for the best results. Always label your food items, take note of expiration dates, and store them appropriately. Ingredients like nuts and flour go rancid easily, while baking powder and soda lose their potency over time.
When in Doubt, Go for Room Temperature
When a recipe calls for room-temperature eggs, butter or milk, don’t ignore it. Baking usually involves creaming butter and sugar together, which is undoubtedly easier with softened ingredients than with a brick of hard butter. Always add hot ingredients to hot ingredients, and cold ingredients to cold. Another suggestion is to temper, which is to slowly bring up the temperature of a cooler item that might be sensitive to heat to prevent it from curdling or breaking.
Weigh it, Scale it, Measure it
Accurate measurement is essential. One cup doesn’t refer to a mug or coffee cup – use standard measuring cups and spoons. It is also best to use a digital weighing scale for dry ingredients to get the most accurate results.
Don’t Mess with Time and Temperature
You might be short on time, but if a recipe calls for 175°C and 20 minutes in the oven, do not increase the heat to cut down on baking time. Cakes lose moisture when exposed to high heat over a short period of time, increasing the likelihood of burning. Stick to the directed baking times and temperatures, and always allow freshly baked goodies to cool.
Let it Cool
Temperatures are high when your goodies come out of the oven. The cooling process allows steam to evaporate, making them easier to handle. Imagine trying to add buttercream frosting to a warm cake!
Mistakes are Inevitable
You’ve followed all of the steps above, and yet your bread didn’t turn out the way you wanted. Oh well, everyone makes mistakes – learn from it and move on. Unexpected baking results do not have to be seen as failures. Shift your mindset, then use the bread to make a delicious bread and butter pudding!
Conclusion
Baking can be intimidating, but with these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a pro. Remember to always read and reread recipes, choose high-quality ingredients, and don’t mess with time and temperature. And most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t turn out as planned. Happy baking!
FAQs
- What is mise-en-place?
Mise-en-place is the practice of preparing your ingredients and required materials in advance to streamline the baking process. - How do I ensure accurate measurement?
Use standard measuring cups and spoons, and consider using a digital weighing scale for dry ingredients. - Can I adjust the baking time and temperature?
No, it’s best to stick to the directed baking times and temperatures to ensure the best results. - What should I do if my baked goods don’t turn out as planned?
Don’t be too hard on yourself – learn from your mistakes and move on. You can always use the ingredients to make a different recipe.