Steven Paul
The Christmas season is officially here, and homes are getting decked up. The Christmas tree is on, lights are up, the lawn is decorated and now it is time to prepare some lip-smacking dishes. Freshly baked goodies are what bring on the Christmas vibe, and you must be rolling up your sleeves to get some baking done.
Baking can be your stress-buster. The smell of warm gingerbread cookies or a beautiful bread pudding can calm the most troubled hearts. But you must know, baking is science, and the process can go haywire with the slightest mistake. There is nothing to be nervous about it; baking can go wrong and it can be fixed.
Here are some assorted tips and tricks to ensure that you avoid baking mistakes and know how to fix them.
When talking about baking mistakes, this one is the most common, and people do not even realize it. Preheating the oven is necessary for proper baking and must not be skipped or hastened. Some people preheat their ovens for very little time; some completely forget. The rule of thumb when preheating ovens is 20-30 minutes and this will pay off when you pull out the perfect cake. We suggest investing in a good microwave oven with a preheating timer if you love baking.
If the batter does not look smooth after the flour, you must be using the wrong quantities or not letting in enough air. Rely on a measuring scale, unless you are a seasoned baker. And for the flour to aerate, use a spoon to pick flour in the measuring cup instead of digging the cup itself. Sift the flour into the batter to avoid clumps. Using proper kitchen tools when baking, is the smartest choice.
You have let the dough rest for long, and it is nowhere close to rising. Here is a trick to give a little nudge to your yeast. Boil a cup of water in the microwave; once done, place the dough beside it and close the oven door (do not microwave it). The yeast likes it warm and this will make your dough rise.
If this does not work, chances are you need a new pack of active yeast to start over.
To ensure you do not face this disheartening episode, use cupcake liners for a smooth process. And if you do not feel like buying cupcake liners, get some baking parchment and DIY. Not just cupcakes, to avoid anything sticking to the baking trays, parchment paper is your savior.
Uneven baking is a huge buzzkill; we know you worked hard, and we are sorry for you. You might be making some mistakes, so look again. Avoid overcrowding the oven and keep space for airflow. Unless you are checking if it is done or turning around the food, stop constantly opening the oven door. Use proper baking supplies and always follow the recipe.
Follow these quick tips, and do some happy baking this Christmas!
Founded in 2010 Garner Supply is an industry leading provider of durable medical products for home delivery.
