You don’t have to be a pastry chef to bake cakes and cookies that taste as good as they look. These baking hacks will take your baking game to new heights!
They say that baking is a science, but with these amazingly easy baking hacks, you can take a few shortcuts to delicious baked goods.
Ever had the craving for your delectable, double chocolate chip cookies get you in its grips only to check your cupboard and find out that you don’t have self-rising flour? Here is an easy hack to make your own self-rising flour and other baking ingredients. Check out this post for more DIY pantry staples.
1. For self-rising flour, add one- and three-quarter teaspoons of baking powder to every cup of cake flour. All out of baking powder? No problem! Use this baking soda hack to make your own baking powder: Simply mix baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and cream of tartar in a one-to-one ratio.
2. Does your favorite pancake recipe call for buttermilk? To make your own buttermilk, add one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of milk. Give it a stir and leave to stand for five minutes.
3. Make homemade brown sugar with white sugar and molasses. In your food processor, blitz one cup of sugar with two tablespoons of molasses.
4. Bake with room temperature eggs. If you keep your eggs in the refrigerator, take them out at least half an hour before you start mixing your recipe. Eggs mixed at room temperature will create a more even batter and a fluffier cake.
5. If you don’t want your freshly baked cookies to look like pancakes, pop them in the refrigerator for thirty minutes before baking them.
6. Boost the flavor of your chocolate chip cookies with a sprinkling of sea salt before popping them in the oven.
7. Wow your guests with pretty pie crusts. Decorate the edges by making patterns with fork tines, a spoon, or a pair of tongs.
8. Get perfect peaks with your whipped cream by chilling the mixing bowl in the refrigerator before whisking the cream.
9. Convert your ordinary cake tin into a Bundt tin by placing an empty tin can in the center. Weigh the can down with uncooked rice or baking beans.
10. Is your baking tray a bit big for the recipe you want to bake? You can make it smaller by adding a strip of foil along one side.
11. Reusable cake strips are a handy baking hack to help you get fluffier cake sponges that rise more evenly. If you don’t have these special strips, you can wrap a damp tea towel around your cake tins just before placing them in the oven instead.
Sometimes even the best bakers make mistakes. Here are some cool baking tricks and tips to help you save those flops.
12. Did you overbake your beautiful vanilla sponge? Fix your dry sponges by drizzling them with simple syrup. If you don’t have simple syrup, it is incredibly easy to make your own. Simply (pun intended) place one cup of sugar with one cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar and heat until boiling point. Simple syrup is also a quick and easy way to add extra flavor to your cake sponges. Infuse your syrup with citrus peel, vanilla pods, or a shot of espresso.
13. Those chocolate chip cookies linger a little too long in the oven? Don’t despair. Overbaked, dry, and crumbly cookies make the most excellent pie crusts. Just pop them in your food processor with a bit of melted butter.
Don't forget to post your baking beauties on Instagram. Share this post, tag us, and let us know which baking hacks worked for you! Baking your own sweet treats is a great way to relax, spend time with the family, and save money. If you are looking for quick-and-easy recipes or handy hints to save on your food bill, check out the Save mailer.
