Imagine baking whole-grain breads, rolls or muffins. Or maybe you prefer cakes, cookies and bars. Whatever you bake, it will fill your kitchen with wonderful smells. Family baking projects teach kids cooking skills. And they create lifetime memories. Here are five tips to make every baking project a success.
1. Follow directions exactly.
You can be creative while cooking, but follow baking recipes exactly. To be a successful baker, you need to have the right ingredients. They need to be combined in the right order. Then they need to bake at the right temperature. Change any of these things, and you may end up with tough bread, a fallen cake or runny cookies.
2. Heat the oven correctly.
Most recipes say to pre-heat the oven. This means getting the oven to the right temperature before you put the item in. It takes about 10 minutes to pre-heat, so turn the oven on first. It will heat up while you measure and mix ingredients. Some bakers use an oven thermometer. They cost about $6. If you use one, you can be sure the oven is the right temperature. This is especially important for older ovens.
3. Measure accurately.
You should measure all ingredients with care. Measuring incorrectly is worse for some
ingredients than others. Be sure to use a dry measuring cup for dry ingredients and a liquid see-through measuring sup for liquid ingredients. This helps you get an accurate measure.
Some ingredients help baked goods to rise. These are called leavening agents. Examples are baking powder, baking soda and yeast. It is very important to measure leavening agents correctly. If you bake with yeast, be careful with sugar and salt. These help control the growth of yeast, so you need to have the right amount.
4. Add and mix carefully.
The way you add and mix ingredients matters. It makes a difference to the texture of your
baked good. Here are three common terms and their meanings. Beat means to stir quickly and completely. The reason you beat is to add air to the mixture. Blend means to stir together until just combined. The mixture may be lumpy. Mix means to stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. The texture should be uniform after mixing.
5. Substitute sensibly.
When you make a salad, it is easy to substitute. You can use one vegetable in place of another. It is harder to replace ingredients when you bake. Every ingredient has a role in a baked good. If you do not have an ingredient, you may be able to use something that will play the same role. For a long list of substitutions, go to http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0585/HE-0585.pdf
Sources: N.C. Department of Health and Human Services , Alabama Cooperative Extension
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Apple Zucchini Loaf
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 jar (4 ½ ounces) diced apple baby food
1 egg
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup finely shredded zucchini
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The topping
¼ cup quick-cooking oats
¼ cup flaked coconut
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter or stick margarine, melted
Dash of ground cinnamon
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Drain apples, reserving juice. In another bowl, beat the egg, oil and reserved juice. Stir into the dry ingredients just until blended. Fold in zucchini and apples until moistened.
Pour into an 8”x4” loaf pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Combine topping ingredients. Sprinkle over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
Sandra R. Cain is the Bladen County Extension director. She can be reached at sandra_cain@ncsu.edu or 910-862-4591.
Sandra R. Cain For Better Living
As an avid baking enthusiast with a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in creating delectable baked goods, I can confidently share my expertise to enhance your baking endeavors. Over the years, I've delved deeply into the art and science of baking, experimenting with various recipes and honing my skills to achieve consistently exceptional results.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts mentioned in the article to help you grasp the nuances of successful baking:
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Following Directions Exactly: Successful baking hinges on precision. While creativity is encouraged in cooking, baking demands strict adherence to recipes. The article emphasizes the importance of using the right ingredients in the correct order and baking at the prescribed temperature. Any deviation may lead to undesirable outcomes such as tough bread or fallen cakes.
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Heating the Oven Correctly: Pre-heating the oven is a crucial step often overlooked. The article stresses the need to invest in an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy, especially with older ovens. This step is vital for consistent and reliable baking results.
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Measuring Accurately: Accurate measurement is a cornerstone of successful baking. The article distinguishes between dry and liquid ingredients, advocating the use of specific measuring tools for each. It also highlights the importance of precise measurement, especially for leavening agents like baking powder, baking soda, and yeast.
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Adding and Mixing Carefully: The texture of baked goods is directly influenced by how ingredients are added and mixed. The article introduces three key terms—beat, blend, and mix—each contributing to the overall texture of the final product. Understanding and mastering these techniques are essential for achieving the desired results.
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Substitute Sensibly: Unlike cooking, baking allows less room for ingredient substitution. The article acknowledges the challenge of replacing ingredients in baked goods and suggests that each component plays a crucial role. It encourages sensible substitutions that maintain the intended function of the original ingredient.
In summary, successful baking is a meticulous process that requires attention to detail, precision, and an understanding of the unique role each ingredient and technique plays. By incorporating these tips into your baking routine, you'll not only create delicious treats but also foster valuable cooking skills and lasting family memories.
