Learn to Bake
By
User:riverajessica @timeAndDate(1294857323)
There are tons of reasons to learn to bake: the warm, soothing smell of fresh bread, the satisfaction of sharing a homemade pie, or the fulfillment of a
cake mix box. Spice cake or peanut butter cookies are a cinch to make, and so is shepherd's pie (if you're looking for a baked dinner). Some websites allow you to choose a recipe based on difficulty, technique, and ingredient, and it's much cheaper to surf the web than to buy a new cookbook.
!'''Tips for Getting Started '''
* Remember to read the recipe fully before you begin; this will help you make necessary preparations, and it will prevent you from adding ingredients at the wrong time.
Cooking is a science and working out of sequence can lead to a soupy pie or tough bread.
* For the first runcards'>noted in case you want to repeat them next time.
* Lastly, don't be afraid to take advantage of premade goods every now and then. If you're testing out a new pie filling, use a
frozen crust. If you're short on time, bake the cake and buy the icing.
Baking Tools
Before you can dig in, you'll need utensils to mix the raw components into something edible. Eyeballing your ingredients and dumping them into any old bowl may lead to something your grandmother would be proud of, but only because grandmothers are very kind. What you'll need are precise
measuring spoons and a bowl that allows you to mix flour without spilling it everywhere.
Some things you'll need to get started:
!Sometimes you'll need complicated gadgets, like
Ingredients
Now we can look at what goes into those fabulous desserts. Before any baking can begin, you have to make sure you have the right ingredients, or at least some acceptable substitutes (e.g. margarine for butter, macadamia nuts for walnuts, etc.). There's nothing worse than discovering you're down one egg halfway through your masterpiece!
Recipe components will vary, especially when you consider the difference between savory and dessert souffles. However, for mornings when you unexpectedly wake up wanting sugar cookies, the following items are worth keeping handy, barring any allergies of course.
!Last but not least, don't forget the
salt! A small amount, less than a teaspoon depending on the recipe, can boost the flavor and change the chemistry of any recipe.
Bakeware
Choosing the right pan (or sheet) isn't just a matter of pie tin versus cake pan. Depending on its intended use, your pans, tins, and sheets can be made of materials like:
*
Ceramic: Looks nice and holds heat for awhile; good for making cakes.
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Glass: Easy to clean, and great for layered dishes and main courses.
*
Metal: Often found in most kitchens; absorbs heat well and cuts down on baking time.
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tarts.
Related Guides
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Themed Cake Pans
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Cookies
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Bread Pans
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Bakeware
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Pizza Stones
