5 invaluable tips for cake baking success

Baking is a magic word that instils warmth and happiness when you hear it. Whether your children’s school is advertising for an upcoming bake sale or your colleague at work is telling you their plans for a spot of baking after work, the scene sounds idyllic.

However, if you’re new to baking, the task might not be as serene as it sounds.

So, if you’re looking for hints, tips and advice to achieve baking success, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total novice, this blog is sure to help. We’re sure you will embody the baking guru in no time with these helpful tips – you’re welcome!

1. Read your recipe and then read it again

It may be obvious, but reading your recipe before starting your baking will ensure the whole process is smooth and simple. But by this, we don’t just mean skimming over the recipe to make sure it’s the right one.

Read the recipe thoroughly, taking the time to assess each step and ensure you are prepared for what the recipe states. If in doubt, read it twice before getting started. This way, no step or part of the recipe will take you by surprise!

2. Prepare your butter and measure the ingredients

Of course, checking your recipe should always be followed by preparing your ingredients. This means laying out any tools you may need, measuring your ingredients and ensuring they’re all prepared in the way that the recipe dictates.

For example, if the recipe calls for soft butter, taking your butter straight out of the fridge when needed is not going to work.

In some cases, recipes can be time sensitive and trying to measure out an ingredient in the middle of your baking can lead to disaster. When preparing your ingredients before you start baking, you’re leaving very little room for error and therefore ensuring a perfect bake without any stress.

3. Study the art of measuring

One step of the baking process that many people take for granted is measuring. It’s not as straightforward as seeing the measurement written down and producing it. If you didn’t already know, baking is a science, so getting the art of measuring down to a T is vital.

Baking is a culmination of precise ratios, proven techniques, and well-tested recipes. Unlike cooking, you can’t just throw ingredients together and eat the dish even if it doesn’t turn out quite right. So, you must learn the most appropriate measuring techniques to become a baking connoisseur.

Just remember that for dry ingredients, you should always use measuring cups or spoons, and you should stick to the ‘spoon and sweep’ method of measuring. For liquid ingredients, stick to liquid measuring cups. If you don’t have these tools on hand, it might be time to invest if you’re serious about your bakes.

4. Check your oven temperature

Did you know that the temperature of your oven can sometimes be off? This is due to continuous use, something a seasoned baker may be well aware of. It means that your actual oven temperature can be much higher or lower than what your control or dial states.

To ensure you’re baking at the right temperature, use an oven thermometer in the centre of your oven for a more accurate reading. We love these handy little tools as they are inexpensive yet invaluable to your baking routine!

Once you start using one, we’re sure you will see an improvement in the quality of your baked goods.

5. Keep your oven door closed

Another way your oven temperature can be thrown out of balance is the repetitive motion of opening your oven door.

Now, we understand that it is tempting to want to check on your bake and sometimes, opening the oven door for a little peek is the only way to do this. However, if you let the cool air in, you interrupt your baked goods from cooking and rising properly.

Just have faith and trust that if you follow the recipe correctly, your bake will do exactly what it should be. If you do need to check the centre with a toothpick, just make sure you’re doing so as fast as you can to ensure minimal disruption.

Voila! You now have the baking basics under your belt, which you can apply to any baking creation you set your mind to. So, go ahead and put these tips for baking success into action. I’m positive you will see a huge improvement in your finished bakes and be less stressed throughout the process.