Friday, September 4, 2009

Baking Tips

By Mike Jackson

Baking is an art and requires patience and knowledge to churn out quality dishes that every one will enjoy if you want to share it with everyone that is.

Before anyone gets started, you should be aware of the initial steps needed to be taken before starting. Here are cooking tips for the beginning baker (make sure you follow these tips and your desserts will be delicious):

Tip #1 - When you start out, you should read through the recipe entirely before beginning to mix the ingredients. Then, pre-heat the oven to the required temperature before placing any ingredients in it.

Tip #2 - With baking, it is very important to follow the instructions carefully. Ensure that you have adjusted the baking racks in the oven according to the instructions, set the proper temperature, using the proper baking sheets and baking containers. Then you must measure the ingredients properly according to the recipe. Dry ingredients must be leveled off in the measuring cup. The last step is to place the ingredients in the oven.

Tip #3 - It is important to understand that there are many different kinds of flour that are used in baking. Yeast bread is made from wheat flour. This is commonly known as brown bread. Then there is bread flour which is used in yeast loaves. If this is put in yeast bread it will come out as a very heavy cake. Flour used to make cake is very fine and all-purpose flour is used for almost any kind of baking. Then there are bleached and unbleached flours that can be used interchangeably. Baking flour should be stored in airtight containers in a place that is cool and dry, but never ore than 6 months.

Tip #4 - Apart from flour you will have to get used to using baking powder. Baking powder will help your cakes and other desserts rise.

Good luck baking! With each dessert you bake, you will improve your baking skills.

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