4 Tips for Better Baking

For someone who\'s new to baking, it can seem pretty daunting-measuring ingredients, whipping the batter, setting the oven temperatures. But like any other craft, all it really takes is some getting used to, Many beginners just give up after making a few mistakes. Remember, that\'s where you learn and improve-by learning which things work and which ones don\'t. To help you get started, here are some common baking mistakes and how you can avoid them.

Not preparing the pans

Depending on the recipe, pans usually have to be lined, greased, or floured to keep the pastry from sticking. Each one affects the recipe differently, so it\'s important to choose the right one every time. When buttering the pan, make sure it\'s not too thick-use a brush to spread it more evenly. You may need to sprinkle some flour on top to keep it from seeping into the pastry. For cupcakes, choose only thick, high-quality liners.

Ignoring oven temperatures

Baking relies a lot on precise temperature settings. For some recipes, even a slight change in temperature can cause it to lose volume or turn out too dense. Older ovens tend to generate less heat, so you may have to adjust the recipe requirements from time to time. When baking, try not to open the oven door too much-it releases some of the heat and adds about five minutes to the baking time.

Making the wrong conversions

Cupcakes can be tricky to make because they use the same batter as cakes, but in a smaller, more delicate form. One of the most common mistakes is using the same baking times; cupcakes usually take around 20 minutes while cakes need half an hour or more. When converting recipes, make sure to account for little differences that can affect the results.

Overmixing the batter

When the recipe says to mix the batter well, it usually means mix the batter just until everything\'s blended. An overmixed batter incorporates too much air and rises much faster in the oven, causing it to overflow from the pan. If possible, use a stand mixer instead of a handheld one to mix it more evenly.