Do you love baked goods? Do you have a hard time getting your homemade cupcakes, muffins, cookies, and other items to come out perfect? Well, there may be some baking do’s and don’ts that you’re unaware of. Until now!
Baking “don’t” number one: Do not perform each step as you read it.
What does this mean? It means that when you are preparing to create a baking masterpiece, you shouldn’t read “step one” and then perform “step one”.
So, what should you do?
Baking “Do” number one: Read the recipe all the way through before beginning
What does this mean? It means that before you start baking, read through the recipe from start to finish. Make sure you have all of the required ingredients, equipment, etc. Plus, reading through the steps from start to finish before you begin will help you focus on the task at hand and you will feel more confident and prepared.
Baking “don’t” number two: Do not ignore the required “preheat temp” for the oven.
What does this mean? It means that picking any “preheat temp” that you want can have astronomical consequences for the baked good.
Baking “do” number two: Do set the oven for the exact “preheat temp” listed in the recipe.
What does this mean? It means if the recipe says to set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit as the “preheat temp” then 350 degrees Fahrenheit is the only temperature the oven should be preheated at.
Baking Don’t number three: Do not “eye measure” your ingredients.
What does this mean? It means that you should not guess or “eye measure” any of your ingredients to the amount listed in the recipe.
Baking “Do” number three: Do measure your ingredients properly and completely
What does this mean? It means that you should use the proper measuring device to properly measure the ingredients. For example, if the recipe calls for ½ cup of sugar then you should select the ½ cup measuring scoop for dry ingredients. Or, if your recipe calls for 1 ½ could of milk then you should select your glass liquid measuring cup and fill it to the 1 ½ cup line on a level surface.
Baking Don’t number four: Do not substitute recipe ingredients for your own desired ingredients until specified in the recipe
What does this mean? It means that you cannot simply substitute milk for water or applesauce for oil in any given recipe and except the same outcome as the original recipe unless the recipe has indicated the substitute will work.
Baking “Do” number four: Do use the ingredients listed in the recipe.
What does this mean? It means that certain ingredients are listed in the original recipe for a reason and should be used if you wish to have the outcome the recipe promises. Baked goods are easily influenced by the ingredients added to them.
An example recipe of appropriate substitutions
Low Fat Breakfast Muffins
You can see the entire article and recipe at https://pickyeaterblog.com/guide-for-healthy-baking-substitutes-and-low-fat-breakfast-muffins/
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour optional: substitute 1 cup whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour for 1 cup all-purpose
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ cup coconut sugar instead of the called for 1 and 1/4 cups of sugar
- 1 ½ cups finely shredded carrots
- 2 large tart apples peeled and shredded
- ½ cup raisins
- ¾ cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 3 lightly beaten eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil instead of the called for 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup + 1 Tbsp Unsweetened applesauce added to compensate for the oil
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin tins with baking cups; set aside.
- Sift flour with cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Stir in sugar until blended. Then add carrots, apples, raisins, coconut, and pecans until blended. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in eggs, oil, and vanilla all at once. Stir just until the mixture is evenly moist.
- Spoon batter into muffin tins, filling at least ¾ full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.
