Are you at the point in your baking journey where you want to take it to the next level? Or maybe you're just starting and need a few tips. Whether you're a beginner baker or someone who hasn't baked at all, these baking tips for beginners will help ensure that your baked goods turn out a success!
Start Simple
If you're new to baking, then starting with a complicated triple-layer cake recipe can be a little overwhelming. To help build your confidence and baking skills, we recommend starting with simple recipes and working your way up. Starting with easy-to-make baked goods will allow you time to master the basics of baking and ensure that when you do make a more complicated recipe, it will turn out perfect!
Are you looking for an easy baked good? Start with a recipe like this Easy Apple Galette with Salted Maple Caramel Drizzle. While this dessert may sound extravagant, it can be prepped and cooked in just over an hour! For the filling, healthy and natural ingredients like ripened granny smith apples, almond paste, and our Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour are used to make a flavorsome base. The simple, delicious ingredients and minimal baking skills needed for this pie make it the perfect dessert to start your baking journey.
Note: While the almond paste adds a delicious and nutty flavor to the galette, it can be left out if preferred!
Purchase Basic Baking Supplies
While you don't have to purchase everything you see on the store's baking shelves, it is essential to invest in a few basic baking supplies. Having the correct supplies on hand allows you the freedom to choose from a variety of recipes. Plus, it will ensure that your baked goods come out as intended. If you're new to baking and aren't quite sure if you're interested in it or not, then we recommend borrowing pricier supplies like a stand mixer from a friend first. Doing so will allow you to make perfect baked goods without splurging on appliances at the start. Once you can better gauge just how often you intend on baking, you can decide to invest in the baking supplies needed.
Want to purchase essential baking supplies but don't know where to start? Here are five of our favorite must-have baking tools that we use regularly:
Measuring Cups
Baking is about precision, which means that having a full set of measuring cups (and spoons!) is a must. When searching for the perfect measuring cups, take note of the difference between dry and wet measuring cups. Purchasing both will guarantee that you accurately measure all of your baking ingredients.
Rubber Spatula
You'd be surprised at how often a rubber spatula is needed while baking. Whether you use your spatula to scrape the last bit of dough from a pan or to mix together wet and dry ingredients, having a spatula on hand is essential.
Kitchen Scissors
Though not often thought of as a baking tool, kitchen scissors can be used in a variety of baking recipes. From cutting the parchment paper to slicing fresh herbs, you can use kitchen scissors in a variety of useful ways.
Rectangular Baking Pan
A rectangular pan is a must-have when baking and can be used for several different baked goods ranging from cakes to cookie bars! If you're stocking your baking supplies from scratch, then a rectangular baking pan is a great first purchase.
Hand Mixer
While you don't have to purchase an expensive stand mixer right away, a hand mixer is an essential addition to your necessary baking tools. Hand mixers are used to mix up doughs and batters much quicker. Plus, they're a great way to achieve the perfect doughy texture every time!
Read the Recipe Thoroughly Before Baking
While this tip might seem obvious, it's an essential step in baking the perfect treat. By reading (and rereading) the recipe beforehand, you'll know exactly what you need to make your dish a success. Knowing all of the ingredients, baking tools and skills required to make a recipe can help you avoid making any mistakes during the baking process. Reading a recipe fully can also help you determine if this is a baked good the entire family can enjoy. If you notice that the chosen recipe has an ingredient a family member might not like or may even be allergic to, then you can actively search for a substitution or a different method before you start the baking process. Following this tip each time you bake will surely save you time and money!
Looking for the perfect recipe to bake with your family? Try making these Fruit and Pistachio Slice and Bake Cookies! Made with chopped pistachios and orange zest, these cookies are the perfect after-dinner treat. Using our Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, these cookies can be baked in just 10 minutes. Plus, with just a few simple swaps, they can easily be made gluten free and vegan. For an even sweeter treat, try topping freshly baked cookies with your favorite jam or jelly. This is one recipe that both kids and adults are bound to enjoy!
Learn How to Measure Correctly
While measuring might seem like an easy task, measuring correctly is much harder than implied. As you've likely learned, baking is a science. While cooking offers a bit more leniency, when it comes to baking, precise ratios and measuring techniques must be used. To produce a perfectly baked dish having a firm understanding of measuring techniques is crucial.
Tips For Measuring Dry Ingredients
Use Measuring Cups
Measuring cups and spoons are specifically designed for dry ingredients. To ensure accuracy, make sure that you are filling each of these measuring tools to the rim. Once your dry ingredients are essentially overflowing, use a knife or spoon to level the ingredients off.
Don't Pack Your Flour Down
Remember, dry measuring cups and spoons were designed for dry ingredients. This means that these tools already take into account the volume that an unpacked powered ingredient will fill. By packing down your dry ingredients, you could unknowingly be left with up to 150% more than what is needed. A recipe calling for 1 cup of flour that is baked with two or more cups is bound to fail. Improperly measuring your dry ingredients can negatively affect the outcome of your baked goods.
Tips for Measuring Wet Ingredients
Use Clear Measuring Cups
While practiced bakers and chefs commonly measure their ingredients by weight, this method of measuring is not always feasible for beginner chefs. By learning how to measure ingredients without a scale, correctly, you can achieve a baked good that is equivalent (or better) than that of a professional. All it takes is a bit of practice! When measuring wet ingredients, use clear or glass measuring cups. These tools are designed with wet ingredients in mind and will provide you with the correct measurements.
Use a Scale
If you have an at-home baking scale, then now is the time to use it! Using a scale to measure wet ingredients is the most reliable way to measure the perfect quantity every time. Using a scale will allow you to accurately determine the volume of ingredients so that your baked good turns out perfect.
Use Quality Ingredients
No matter how perfectly you measure your ingredients, your baked goods aren't going to bake appropriately if you're using expired ingredients or those of low quality. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will help ensure that your dish turns out delicious and flavorful.
If you've ever gone to a restaurant and wondered why their cakes, brownies, and other baked goods taste so delightful, then you've tasted high-quality ingredients. A good recipe and good ingredients can work wonders when it comes to the taste of a dish.
Fresh, quality ingredients significantly impact the taste of your baked treat. Fresh ingredients are often much more potent than those that have been preserved, or dried. This wealth of flavor can turn a decent dish into a mouth-watering masterpiece. When searching for quality ingredients, we recommend purchasing whole foods that are natural and/or organic.
Need guidance on which quality ingredients to choose? Here are a couple of our favorites:
A delicious ancient grain, Organic Quinoa is an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients. Chock-full of high-quality protein, it's nutty flavor works well in a variety of dishes. Add quinoa to soup, salad, and even chili; the possibilities are endless!
Freshly milled from high protein organic oats, this grain is a fantastic source of protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber! Use our Organic Steel Cut Oats to make filling dishes like risotto, oatmeal, pilaf and even veggie fried rice. They're the perfect high-quality ingredient to keep on hand.
Wherever you are in your baking journey, we hope that this baking 101 for beginners has helped you feel more confident in the kitchen. From purchasing the right baking supplies to improving your measurements, mastering these baking tips will help you create baked goods that are cooked to perfection!
