We all need a little help around the holidays when we bake. These tips will make you the envy of every party with your spectacular baked goods!
1. Have All Ingredients Needed
Before you start baking, make sure you have all the ingredients the recipe calls for. It is a terrible feeling when you are in the middle of making cookie dough and find out you do not have any eggs. Look at your recipe and make a list before heading to the grocery store to stock up on all the ingredients needed. This will help when it is time to make the recipe!
2. Do Not Skip Any Ingredients
I will repeat this one more time, DO NOT SKIP ANY INGREDIENTS. The recipe lists everything for a reason. If one little teaspoon of something is left out, the result will not turn out well. It’s like no child left behind, but no ingredient left behind. Also, do not try to make a recipe “healthy” by adding less butter or sugar. If you are baking in the first place, you should already give up on being healthy.
3. Measure Everything Exactly
Baking is different than cooking. You cannot throw anything into your recipe and hope for the best. Look at the exact measurements the recipe gives and follow them. And make sure you are using the right utensils to measure. A teaspoon and tablespoon are very different and are not interchangeable in any way. If you put a tablespoon of salt into cupcake batter instead of a teaspoon, take some advice from 10 year old me and do not do it. (Yes that really happened, it was a very dark time in my life of not knowing math). It is not fun to have a whole batch of inedible cupcakes.
4. Thaw Out Butter Ahead of Time
Well ahead of time! It takes longer than you think and it is crucial to soften your butter to get a creamy texture. Do not try to whip up butter you just took out of the fridge because it will be too stiff. If you like baking during the day, it is a good idea to let butter soften overnight so it is soft and ready to use in the morning.
5. Clean as you Go
It is so frustrating to have dirty bowls and plates everywhere when you are trying to bake. Remember to clean as you go so you have enough room to do what needs to be done. Put stuff in the dishwasher, wipe down the table, and make sure you are comfortable in the kitchen.
6. Give Yourself Enough Time
There is nothing worse than rushing at the last minute to get cookies out of the oven only to find out they are not done. If you know you have an event coming up, give yourself enough time to prepare, bake, cool, decorate, and package your goodies. If I know I have a party to attend, I like to make my treats the night before so everything is ready for the next day. If you are worried your baked goods will not taste fresh by making them overnight, make them early in the morning instead!
7. If a Recipe Flops, Try Again
I have made a lot of recipes that turned into terrible disasters. Did I get mad? Absolutely. Did I let that stop me from baking anything else for the rest of my life? No. Mistakes happen and that is okay! Practice makes perfect. Do you think Martha Stewart has never made a mistake while baking? Well, I mean she is the Martha Stewart so I am not sure…but the point is to never give up. It takes time to master a recipe.
8. Stay Calm
The holidays are stressful for everyone, but it is imperative to stay calm in the kitchen. If something does not turn out the way you planned, do not freak out. Try your best and you will do great. After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year. If all else fails, just run to the grocery store and buy some premade cookie dough and give it your own twist! Here are some ideas on how to make store-bought baked goods look homemade: https://spoonuniversity.com/how-to/5-ways-to-make-store-bought-baked-goods-look-homemade
Comments