3 Tips for Baking
Use these three simple, but important tips to help ensure your homemade baked goods rise to the occasion.
Measuring
Baking recipes are formulas so it is important to accurately measure. Always use standard measuring cups and spoons and make level measurements. When measuring liquids, use a glass-measuring cup and have it sitting flat on a surface, to ensure it’s level. To accurately measure flour, whisk or stir before measuring to aerate it to avoid using flour that has been compacted.
Ingredient Temperature
If a recipe says an ingredient, such as butter or eggs, must be at room temperature, be sure they are. If not, the butter may not smoothly blend into that batter or icing or those eggs might not rise to the volume they should when beaten.
Baking Powder and Soda
If you’ve made biscuits, scones or other baked goods that did not rise properly, one reason might be that the baking soda and/or baking powder used was old and not activating. To test baking soda, mix 1/4 tsp. with 2 tsp. vinegar. If the baking soda is still good, it will bubble immediately. To test baking powder, mix 1 tsp. with 1/2 cup hot water. If it's still good, this mixture will bubble immediately.