Using Recipes

One of the most common problems with people baking is their problems when following (or not following) a recipe. Many people think that baking is simple and, like cooking, it can be very spur of the moment and free form but cooking and baking are very different. Cooking is more like an art form where you can just toss a few ingredients together with some spices, add heat, and usually it turns out alright but baking is entirely a science that requires careful measurement of all the ingredients, specific order, and precise timing. Baking is very delicate and requires a balance of all the different components so if you go into it and expect it to be like cooking you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

The important thing to remember with baking is to be very clear on exactly what ingredients you are using, at what times, and in what quantities. It sounds like common sense but so many people just skim through a recipe, assume they know exactly what goes in and when, and then get upset when their cake or pie doesn’t turn out like they wanted it to. Read through the entire recipe (not just the ingredients) before hand and make sure you know exactly what it calls for prior to starting any of your baking. Assemble all your ingredients and necessary tools before you begin and make sure you have everything you need. It’s not fun to running around the kitchen looking for an oven mitt while you’re brownies are slowly getting burned.

You also want to be certain, when following a recipe, that you’ve made an adjustments or substitutions and that you’ve noted those and how they will affect the rest of your baking. This includes substitutions for special diets, allergies, and even altitude. Make sure that you’ve carefully measured these substitutions and that they’ll work within your recipe in such a way that you can still have the desired effect without whatever ingredient it is that you’ve changed or removed.

You also want to preheat the oven before you begin. Lots of recipes can be ruined if they have to sit out on the counter and wait for the oven to get warm. Preheat the oven in advance and let it be ready for your cake or whatever you might be baking to take its place in the oven at the exact moment it is ready. You’re also going to want to prepare any pans or tins in advance that you might be needing to use. This can save you a lot of craziness and running around trying to get your batter in before it separates or before your egg whites begin to fall too much prior to being baked. It’s also a good idea to have any bowls or spatulas that you’ll need around so you aren’t searching through drawers trying to find what you need in the middle of your baking project.

Overall baking is a very fun experience and it can be a real pleasure to undertake if you make sure that you take the time to do it properly. Follow your recipe carefully and your desserts and baking will turn out wonderfully.