Baking is a science, and much like chemistry, baking requires strict adherence to basic rules. By following these rules, you can more easily achieve the best results and avoid the pitfalls that many of us run into.
At home or in the office, baking can be a relaxing activity or an all-day project. And advertising tells us that baking is as popular as ever. But before you get started, there are some things you should know.
Here are ten basic rules of baking that every good baker should follow:
- Have knowledge with regard to the recipe
Home baking can be a fun activity and a great way to spend time in the kitchen. Baking is relaxing, and while the results may not always be perfect, they can be a great morale booster. However, baking can also be complicated: ingredients vary by the type of cake you’re making, and recipes can change depending on the season. Baking can be intimidating for beginners, from basic cake mixes to specialty ingredients.
- Obey the instructions
Baking can be a super rewarding hobby, but it requires a lot of attention to detail. There are a lot of different baking ingredients out there, and many of them have their own set of specific instructions. For instance, in the most basic form, baking involves mixing the ingredients together and getting them ready for the oven, into the oven, and out of the oven. But there are many, many more basic rules to adhere to when it comes to baking.
- Don’t Forget to Preheat the oven
Baking pastries, cakes, and cookies is an enjoyable pastime, but it can be tricky to master. It takes at least a little bit of practice to get good results. Well, there are a few simple rules that apply to pretty much any baking recipe. For instance, always preheat your oven. Some recipes will call for a certain temperature or a specific temperature for a certain recipe, so you have to know your oven temperature well and preheat it to the correct temperature. Prepare the oven thoroughly. Preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for baking bread, 325 degrees Fahrenheit for cakes, 300 degrees Fahrenheit for cookies, and 325 degrees Fahrenheit for muffins.
- Look Over the utensils
Before you turn on the oven, have a look at the utensils. You probably already have some on hand—a whisk, a pastry brush, measuring cups, and spoons. But, there are a few basic utensils every baker should have on hand.
- Make precise and correct measurements
Make sure you are using the correct type of measuring equipment for the recipe.
- Always Sift Dry Ingredients
Basic baking rules are as important to perfecting your recipe as your ingredients are. If you don’t want to end up with a flat, dense, and heavy cake, you may be tempted to skip sifting your dry ingredients. But sifting, or sifting your dry ingredients, is an essential part of baking, especially when you are making a denser batter. It prevents the dry ingredients from caking up and clumping.
- Use a pan that is the right size for the recipe
The type of baking pan you use is very important, as the wrong type of pan can result in a baked good that is either too flat or too tall. Use a pan that is the right size for the recipe.
- Always use an oven thermometer
The baking basics are simple, but there are a few rules that you should know, from how to buy and store your ingredients to following basic food safety tips. And the most important thing to remember when baking is that you should always use an oven thermometer.
- Use the correct type of flour for a recipe
Use the correct type of flour for a recipe—whether it be plain flour, cake flour, or self-rising flour.
Baking isn’t exactly rocket science. But if you want to make perfect cookies, cakes, or cupcakes, it can be a bit more complicated than simply dumping the ingredients into a bowl and mixing. These are basic baking rules—rules that will help you make clean and beautiful baked goods every time.
