Get started with baking: Guide for beginners

Baking has become one of the most trending skills during the pandemic when Covid-19 hit us and we all were quarantined in our own homes. However, after the covid phase this trend didn’t go down, rather the number of taking baking as a bread-earning job is surging with time. It is indeed a beneficial skill that anyone can learn. Whether you want to bake a simple cake for a special occasion or delicious cookies as an evening snack, you can enjoy the easy process of baking. But if you are new to baking and have no idea about it, this blog will help you. It will guide you to get heads up about the basics.

The tools needed for baking

Baking doesn’t require any expensive or fancy equipment, you can get your job done with few basic tools.

1. Measuring Cups and Spoons- For baking, you have to take proper measurements. Thereafter, some measuring cups and spoons will help you to measure flour, sugar, and liquid correctly.
2. Mixing Bowls– Different sizes for mixing ingredients will be needed.
3. Whisk and Spatula– A whisk helps mix wet ingredients and a spatula helps scrape the batter from the bowl. 
4. Electric Mixer- This will make work easier, but you can use a hand whisk instead.
5. Baking Pans– Cake pans, muffin trays or baking sheets are necessary for baking items. 
6. Oven and Cooling Rack– An oven is needed to bake. A cooling rack helps cool the baked goods evenly. 

Understanding Basic Ingredients

A few common ingredients are useful in most baking recipes.

1. Flour– It is the base of most baked items.
2. Sugar– It adds sweetness and helps with texture. There are some types of sugar including white sugar, brown sugar and powdered sugar. 
3. Eggs– These help to bind ingredients and add structure. 
4. Butter or Oil– These goods add moisture and richness. Butter gives a great flavour and oil makes cakes softer. 
5. Baking Powder and Baking Soda– These are agents that help baked goods rise. 
6. Milk or Water– Adds moisture to the batter. 
7. Salt– Enhances the flavor of baked goods. 
8. Vanilla Extract– Adds extra flavor to cakes, cookies and pastries. 

Simple baking techniques

1. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately– You can mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, etc.) in one bowl and the wet ingredients (milk, eggs, butter, etc.) in another. Then, combine them gently. 
2. Don’t Overmix the Batter– Overmixing can make cakes and muffins hard. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. 
3. Preheat the Oven– Always preheat the oven before baking.
4. Use the Right Baking Pan– Using the wrong pan size affects the baking time and texture. 
5. Check for Doneness– Insert a toothpick in the center of your cake or muffins. If it comes out clean, your baked items are ready.

One of the easiest recipes to try

Simple Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients:

– 1 ½ cups flour 

– 1 cup sugar 

– ½ cup butter (softened) 

– 2 eggs 

– ½ cup milk 

– 1 teaspoon baking powder 

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

– ¼ teaspoon salt 

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F or 175°C. Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners. 
2. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar in another bowl until it feels light and fluffy. Add eggs and mix well. 
4. Add vanilla extract and mix again. 
5. Then add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture slowly. Mix until it’s mixed well. 
6. Pour batter into cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full. 
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Then, check it with a toothpick. 
8. Let them cool and then serve.

Common baking mistakes and how to avoid them

1. Using Cold Ingredients– Keep the ingredients at room temperature. 
2. Measuring Ingredients Incorrectly – Always use measuring cups.
3. Opening the Oven Too Soon– Only check near the end of baking time. 
4. Skipping Preheating– Always preheat your oven. 
5. Overbaking– Avoid dryness.  

Tips to improve baking skills

Start with Simple Recipes– Don’t try to bake with hard recipes at first. Begin with basic cakes, cookies or muffins. 

Read the Recipe carefully– Follow the steps exactly. 

Experiment with flavours– Once you get comfortable, you can add nuts, fruit or spices to your recipes. 

Keep Practicing– The more you bake, the better you’ll get! 

Baking is a wonderful skill; you just have to enjoy the process. So when are you going to start baking?

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Writer

Kazi Mirana Mainuddin

Intern, Content Writing Department

YSSE