Chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and brownies are easy baked goods. Anyone can bake these, and they’ll taste good. But, we all have that friend that can bake the same thing as you, but somehow theirs is better. Sometimes you might even question why you spend $3 on a cookie from the bakery when you could make an entire batch of them at home for the same price. It’s because it tastes better than yours. Even with years of practice, your recipe will still give the same results. Luckily there are a few simple tips gathered from great bakers that could be the one thing you need to turn your treats from good to great.
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Add Salt
Baking is another method of cooking. Therefore, just as you would season your meat or soup, you should season your dough. Adding salt to dough or batter will make a big difference in the taste of your baked goods. Salt brings out the flavor your taste buds are craving.
Use a Pastry Brush to Butter Pans
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For most of us, our first time buttering a pan involved a stick of butter wrapped in paper. Initial teachings soon become habits. This method of buttering is the reason your baked goods never slide off the pan with ease. Baking experts use a cooking oil spray or soft butter and a pastry brush. These methods cover the entire pan evenly and rid any sticking.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Steer yourself away from using any cold ingredients. Even eggs can be warmed. Simply place them in a bowl of warm water. If you choose to warm your butter in the microwave don’t set your timer for more than 15 seconds. There’s no time for butter cleanups. Ingredients should be warm due to when they’re mixed, warm temperatures help them trap air and rise better during baking.
Use Fresh Ingredients
This might seem like a no-brainer, but this is a common mistake in most baking. This tip isn’t directed to fresh fruits, vegetables, chocolates, etc. Most bakers know that part. But, some fail to use fresh flour, baking soda, baking powder and dried yeast. Be very attentive to expiration dates on those ingredients.
Weigh Your Eggs
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The exact weight of every egg is always unknown. But make sure when following a recipe you are using a consistent amount of eggs. Experts at baking usually weigh their eggs to be sure. Remember, eggs vary inside and two eggs are never the same.
Coat Nuts and Berries In Flour
If you are noticing your berries and nuts sinking to the bottom of all your baked goods, put flour on them first. Take a bag of flour and shake your nuts and berries in them prior to putting them in the batter. This will help them not sink when baking.
Bake with Boiling Water
Place a tray of water on the bottom shelf of your oven at the same time that you’re baking something. This will help increase moisture in the item baking.
I hope these tips help. Happy Baking!
