Baking can be a fun pastime. It can also be something that you do in order to make money for your family. When you’re baking, there are a few tricks to keep in mind that can make the process fun and simple from the time you crack the first egg to when you take your creation out of the oven.
1. Instructions
Even if you’ve made the same cake hundreds of times, you should always follow the recipe that you have. It can be easy to get quantities mixed up, especially if they have similar details.
2. Temperature
Instead of using items straight from the refrigerator, put them on a counter or table so that they can reach room temperature. This will allow them to mix together easier than if some of the ingredients are too cold compared to those that are warm.
3. Measurements
Use cups and spoons when measuring ingredients. You want to use the exact amount of the ingredients that you need instead of trying to guess how much you’re supposed to add. If you put too much or too little of an ingredient in your recipe, then it could result in an altered appearance or taste.
Source: Shutterstock4. Mix Well
When all of the ingredients are combined, stop mixing. You don’t want to over-mix your ingredients as you’ll begin adding air into the batter. However, you don’t want to leave ingredients in their original form as they won’t interact as they should with the other components.
5. Line Your Pans
If you want to get your cakes out of pans with ease, then line the bottom of the pans with wax paper. Cake flour can be used as well if you don’t want the paper to burn. Although cooking spray is an option, it can add unwanted moisture and grease to the batter.
6. Let It Bake
It might be appealing to open the oven door to see how far your come has come during the baking process. However, you need to let the cake bake without opening the oven and letting the heat escape. The oven then has to reach the temperature that it was, delaying the baking process and sometimes causing your cake to fall in the center.
7. Cooling
Before you begin frosting your cakes, let them completely cool. If you frost cakes that are straight from the oven, then the frosting will usually melt. Any layers that you use will likely slide around as well.
Source: Shutterstock8. Decorations
Sometimes, simple ideas are better than those that are extravagant. If you frequently bake during the week, then keep food coloring, white frosting, and sugar pearls on hand as these simple items can be transformed into a beautiful display.
There’s nothing like smelling a cake as it bakes in the oven. Getting to that point can be a challenge though if you’re not prepared. With a few tips, you can turn your kitchen into a bakery as you mix ingredients with ease and decorate your finished product.
