If you’re interested in baking but have no idea where to start, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss techniques, understanding ingredients, and what equipment you really need to succeed. Once you learn the basics, you can try beginner-friendly recipes to stretch out your newfound baking muscles.
Essential Baking Tips:
Understanding the Ingredients
Baking is a science, so it’s critical to understand what you need to do to make a chemical reaction happen. For example, baking soda adds a chewy nature to baked goods, making the perfect chocolate chip cookies. In contrast, baking powder adds the fluffy, airy texture of your favorite blueberry muffin.
Basic Techniques
Learning basic techniques and terminology guides you to a successful baking recipe. You’ll need to learn how and when to whisk, blend, and fold ingredients and when to use these methods. Whisking involves vigorously mixing ingredients together, folding is gently incorporating, and blending is using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
Equipment Needed
Large mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, whisk, hand mixer, and a spatula are among the items you’ll need for most baking recipes. These items can get you started, but you may need to invest in others as you become more experienced and take on more challenging recipes.
Beginner Friendly Recipes:
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Everyone’s favorite chocolate chip cookies are really not that difficult to make. With just a few easy steps, you can create a batch of these delicious cookies. Start with your wet ingredients: Cream together eight tablespoons of butter, ½ cup white sugar, and ¼ cup brown sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs and mix until incorporated.
Next, add your dry ingredients: 1 ½ cup flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Combine until incorporated, then fold in chocolate chips. Bake at 350 until you see golden edges. It will be ooey-gooey and delicious.
Basic Vanilla Cupcakes
Vanilla cupcakes are a party’s best dessert. They are simple, sweet, and flavorful, especially when topped with just the right amount of frosting.
Begin with a large mixing bowl and the following ingredients: six tablespoons butter, ¾ cup sugar, and two tablespoons oil. Cream the butter, sugar, and oil until soft and fluffy. Add vanilla, two tablespoons of milk, and two eggs and mix again.
Once mixed, add your dry ingredients: 1 ¼ cup flour, one ¼ teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix with a hand mixer and pour the batter into cupcake liners in a cupcake tray ¾ of the way full. Bake at 350 until springy to the touch.
Avoid Common Mistakes
The most common mistakes are over-mixing, setting the oven at the wrong temperature, and using incorrect measuring methods. However, once you have a bit of practice and follow the proper techniques, these mistakes will be a thing of the past.
Wrapping Up Baking Basics
Don’t be intimidated by baking. It’s a simple and enjoyable process that anyone can master with a little practice. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at the delicious creations you can bake up whenever you have the chance!