5 Tips For The Beginner Baker
Baking is an art that has a rich history
of experimentation. Some of the delicious yeast and quick breads you love, as
well as cookies, cakes, and such are the result of bakers working creatively
with, and fine-tuning recipes to achieve a desired result.
You can enjoy the art of baking as well.
It just takes a determined effort to try different recipes and to practice them
until you achieve 'your' desired results. Here are 5 tips for the beginner
baker... to get you on your way:
Know Your Recipe Inside Out
Before you attempt your baking project,
familiarize yourself completely with the recipe. First, do a general
read-through of the recipe to get a gist of what the process involves. This is
your overview before you dig into the details of the recipe.
Next, read the recipe a second time and
know the utensils, pots, pans, mixing bowls, molds, and anything else you will
need. Know the ingredients you will be using and in what order they will go
into your recipe. With this reading, you're getting a deeper understanding of
this specific recipe. You understand better how the steps involved contribute
to the finished product.
Follow The Recipe
Now that you understand the recipe
better - and what your baking project entails - follow what the recipe tells
you. The recipe before you is a result of trial and error by someone who worked
out exactly the quantities and the process so the recipe would yield an
aesthetically pleasing and great tasting baked good.
Follow the steps as they have laid them
out. As you progress and develop more advanced baking skills you can experiment
with ingredients, quantities, and the process somewhat; for now - stick to the
tested recipe to help you build your confidence as a baker.
Buy Quality Ingredients
Do you want a quality baked good,
suitable to present to family, friends, and of course, yourself? Then purchase
quality ingredients to ensure you create a top-notch delectable. Certainly,
this depends on your budget; however, within that budget, buy the best
ingredients you can. In fact, if you plan to bake regularly, consider
purchasing some quality ingredients in bulk if you have a suitable storage
place. This will help you cut your baking expenses.
Taste And/Or Smell Your Ingredients
To make sure what's going into the
recipe will produce something that's fresh and flavorful, taste and/or smell
some ingredients before putting them in the recipe. Some you won't want to
taste, such as yeast and raw eggs and other ingredients; some you will, such as
dried cranberries, milk, chocolate (especially chocolate), and fillings such as
those for homemade donuts and such. Tasting/smelling beforehand is extra
security, a double-check, that the fresh quality ingredients you bought are in
fact as advertised. Moreover, always check the 'best-before' dates of the
ingredients you buy.
Have Fun - Don't Get Discouraged
Some of your baking projects may produce
less than ideal baked goods. Sure, you followed the recipe; yes, you bought
quality ingredients; still, something went wrong. It happens to the best bakers
in the world sometimes. We can control most things when it comes to baking; we
can't control everything.
Who knew the oven was going to give you
trouble? Who knew that yeast that seemed fresh and was within its due date
still wasn't quite right? Did you lose track of, or miscalculate the salt you
put in...these things happen. The great thing is you can try again. You learn
from that attempt and your next attempt is better. It's all part of learning
this fine art. Hey, if you have to do that recipe over again that contains
chocolate - you get to taste test that chocolate again! There's always an
upside.
Get started on that baking project
you've been musing about lately. Consider the above 5 tips if you're a beginner
baker. Keep trying different recipes. Before long you'll find you're producing
splendid baked breads, cakes, cookies, pies, or whatever gets your taste buds
doing La Bamba. Let that first baking project be your springboard to greater
baking success.
Learn how to make Chantilly Cream...
