LOOK AT THESE BAKING TIPS
I was trying to think of an adjective to describe my baking skills, and meh with a shoulder shrug came to mind. Here is the Webster Merriam definition.
DEFINITION OF MEH
Some of you are giggling and may be thinking I should save this tip for April 1st. Some of you loyal readers and Everyday Edits fans think, “Oh, this is going to be good.”
Others have already unsubscribed. You can resubscribe here.
After posting the Weekend Edit on Saturday, several of you commented or emailed me to share similar stories or baking tips.
READER’S BAKING TIPS
- Read the entire recipe. Repeat
- If the recipe is on Pinterest, double-check the instructions for accuracy.
- A tennis friend suggests using more reliable sites or cookbooks because Pinterest “pins” are often created by bakers like me (guilty).
- Measure all ingredients, and this is a big one …
- Let eggs and butter sit at room temperature for forty minutes.
- Sidebar: I am not sure how the flour and the sugar know the butter and eggs are ready to blend, but the temperature is a big deal in baking cliques.
Until my friend CiCi helped me with the classic Nestle Toll House cookie recipe, I was guilty of many baking errors. I did not know there is such a thing as over-mixing.
My friend Carol at Blue Sky at Home gave me this tip called mise place, meaning everything in its place. Always use for cooking and especially baking. It means that every ingredient should be measured, chopped, diced, toasted, etc. BEFORE you begin to bake or cook. It’s a standard procedure in a culinary environment.
Survey the countertop: make sure you do not leave a cup of sugar out of these classic Christmas cookies.
- Do not try and multi-task. Guilty
- Unless you are an experienced baker, it is best to leave the television off. Guilty
- Do not talk on the phone while measuring and mixing ingredients. Guilty!
- My sister is notorious for calling while I am tappingthe flour to release the air pockets (bonus tip).
But this tip is from all of you who emailed or commented that prep work is the key to following the recipe.
This includes cooking sheets, parchment paper and soapy water to rinse the mixing bowls and measuring spoons. I am all about the cleanup. I may forget the cup of sugar or the 2nd egg that rolled behind the cookbook, but I love the cleanup.
Now last weekend I shared how I accidentally left out the cup of sugar for these cookies.
In my defense, I measured the white sugar, which is how I found it the day after making these cookies.
I was wiping down the counters.
Thank you for stopping by today for this week’s Tuesday Tip. please subscribe if you like a very casual conversation about random tips and one hour projects. Please share your baking tips below!
I basically passed the baking baton to my 2 youngest daughters. I have a coupe of easy recipes I make from scratch but slice and bake, packet mixes and tub of premade cookie dough are okay to use too! Did you see this post of an easy one my daughter just made! https://bushelandapickle.com/easy-to-make-for-a-holiday-treat-smores-cookies/
Hi Linda
Yes i checked this recipe out it’s on my list to make this winter! Thank you Linda! xo laura
Thank you for these tips!
Laura, I’ll add one more super important tip: mise place, meaning everything in its place. Always use for cooking and especially baking. It means that every ingredient should be measured, chopped, diced, toasted, etc. BEFORE you begin to bake or cook. It’s a standard procedure in culinary environment. I first learned it when I worked at Sur la Table, then again in culinary school. I taught it when I taught cooking classes and still use it for almost every meal. It will make your recipe preparation so much easier and more efficient.
Thank you Carol! Adding to the list with a link to you!