Key Baking Tips Everyone Should Know

Key Baking Tips Everyone Should Know

If youre just now beginning to bake (or even if youve been baking for quite some time), there are a handful of crucial baking tips that have the power to make or break that cake! From the type of flour you should use, to the perfect oven temperature, there are some tips that most bakers wish they had known before getting started. When youre just getting started, learning how to bake cookies, cakes and other desserts may leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Luckily, with some simple tips on baking, youll find that the process can be fun, invigorating and worry-free. From creative cookie tips to a handful of cake hacks, lets dive in (frosting first)!

Creative Cookie Tips

From classic chocolate chip to snickerdoodle to shortbread, there are hundreds of fantastic cookie recipes. Here are a few helpful hacks to up your cookie game and wow your guests.

Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Dozens of individual chocolate chip cookies are fun. But whats more fun than a giant Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie? Skillet cookies look beautiful with a dollop of ice cream and some chocolate syrup on top. They make you look like a baking probut theyre super easy to create. This particular recipe integrates Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour and Thick Rolled Oats with both semi-sweet and peanut butter chips. Theres nothing like taking a skillet cookie out of the oven and dipping into that chewy center and crispy outsides!

Protein Cookie Ice Cream Bars

This recipe mixes two favorites (cookies and ice cream sandwiches) to brilliantly create a Protein Cookie Ice Cream Bar. The cookie dough is made with Almond Flour, Regular Rolled Oats, pitted dates, Vanilla Protein Powder Nutritional Booster, salt, cinnamon, mini chocolate chips, almond butter, honey, milk and vanilla extract and is mixed in a food processorand the center is simply vanilla ice cream. Because theyre packed with a whole bunch of nutrition, you can feel good about eating and enjoying these frozen treats. Just remember to let your treats freeze for at least a few hours to allow the ice cream to harden.

Blueberry Honey Cream Sandwiches

Another of our favorite baking tips is to master the art of classic sandwich cookies. These Blueberry Honey Cream Sandwiches have a delicious center thats made from soft, room temperature cream cheese, blueberry blossom honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh blueberries and whipped cream. When the cream cheese is made, its sandwiched between the finished cookies and set to freeze for about an hour. Serve these treats for a creative and flavor-packed spring or summer dessert on the patio. We like to think they pair well with espresso and a touch of cinnamon, too.

Lavender Shortbread Cookies

As a baking novice, you may have tested your cookie skills with shortbread in the past. But as a baking pro, consider adding something extra-pretty like edible flowers to your cookies! These Lavender Shortbread Cookies use a glaze of powdered sugar and lemon juice to attach edible flowers as garnish. Once the sugar glaze is brushed onto the cookie, simply place a flower on top and seal the edges.

Fun Cake Hacks

If you have a love for all things cake and are looking to experiment a bit more with your baking skills, consider giving these recipes a try. When it comes to baking a cake, tips that center on simplicity and high quality ingredients can achieve delicious--and dramatic--results!

Lemon Blueberry Swirl Bundt Cake

If youve never made a Bundt cake, youre in for the best cake hack of all time! Simple Bundt cakes are elegant and look so beautiful at all sorts of gatherings (from birthday dinners to Easter brunch). Try this recipe for Lemon Blueberry Swirl Bundt Cake at your next soiree. With a cake made from unsalted butter, cream cheese, sugar, lemon instant pudding, eggs and Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour (and a blueberry swirl and a glaze to top it all off)we guarantee it will be a hit.To avoid your cake from sticking, make sure to line your bundt cake with parchment paper (if it has a flat bottom) or a coat with melted butter.

Yellow Cake with Raspberry & Chocolate Frosting

For an extra special occasion, consider using both frosting and ganache for your cake. This recipe for Yellow Cake with Raspberry & Chocolate Frosting is both surprising and special. The ganache only requires two ingredients (dark chocolate and heavy cream) and doesnt require much more effort on your end if youre already making a homemade cake! All you have to do is get your cream simmering andstir it in a mixing bowl with your chopped chocolate to create a thick and smooth ganache. The real trick is not to let the ganache cool before pouring it over the top of your cake. Once youve done this, the cake can sit for about 15 minutes before its ready to be served!

Coconut Lime Banana Bread with Lime Glaze

Intimidated by seemingly complex cakes and prefer to bake quick breads instead? Perfect! The good news (that folks often forget) is that breads can be served as dessert, too. Simply add some fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and sweet breads make for a fantastic treat. This Coconut Lime Banana Bread, for instance, is full of bright flavors and citrus. It has a lime glaze and is topped with toasted coconut for extra decadence.

Unique Pie Variations

My oh my (or should we say, pie oh pie) there are an assortment of variations when it comes to creating a memorable and unique pie. Sure, apple pie is delightful. But how about mixing things up with a hand pie or muffin tin pie? Lets take a deep dive into all things blueberry, galette-inspired and crust crazy to see just how to up your pie-baking game (and get the whole crowd swooning).

Blueberry-Peach Buckwheat Hand Pies

These Blueberry-Peach Buckwheat Hand Pies are bursting with fruit and flavor. Theyre made with Organic Buckwheat Flour, which adds a mild nuttiness to a classic pie taste. These are great for a picnic or summer gathering when youre looking for a treat to prep ahead of time. Both the dough and the filling can be made a day ahead of time, just pop it into the refrigerator until youre ready to use it.

5 Ingredient Fresh Blackberry Galette

If youre the type of baker who is looking for a recipe that encourages imperfection, say hello to the galette! This rustic and beautiful 5 Ingredient Fresh Blackberry Galette is made with only Bob's Red Mill Organic Unbleached All Purpose White Flour, sugar, softened butter, cold water and fresh blackberries. After you roll out your dough, all you have to do is plop the blueberries in the center and fold up the sides of the dough. Once baked, serve it with ice cream and caramel.

Gluten Free Chocolate Caramel Tart with Macadamia Nut Crust

This decadent Gluten Free Chocolate Caramel Tart with Macadamia Nut Crust is a fantastic twist on a traditional pie. The crust is made with toasted macadamia nuts, Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, sugar, salt, butter and egg. And the addition of caramel sauce, chocolate sauce and macadamia nut topping with flaky sea salt make this dessert an overall hit for parties of all sorts. It tastes as beautiful as it looks, and turns even the novice bakers quickly into pastry professionals.

Muffin Tin Pumpkin Pies with Oatmeal Caramel Crumble

When it comes to baking pies, rest assured: you dont only have to bake them in a pie dish. In fact, this recipe for Muffin Tin Pumpkin Pies with Oatmeal Caramel Crumble makes pie baking a piece of cake (pardon us for the play on words). To top off your crust and pumpkin pie filling, theres a delicious crumble made with Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, dark brown sugar, salt, Regular Rolled Oats, butter, finely chopped pecans and dulce de leche. A garnish of whipped cream or caramel sauce really does the trick, too. Whether youre using one of our baking mixes or looking to become a pastry pro in the world of cakes, pies or cookies, we hope these tips and treats have given you inspiration to put on your oven mitt and get baking. As Julia Child said, A party without cake is just a meeting. So, lets get baking! Have any baking tips youve picked up throughout your baking journey? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below! Wed love for you to pass on your knowledge to our fellow Bobs Red Mill bakers.
Bob's Red Mill
October 27 2018

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