Questions tagged [baking]
Questions about cooking by dry heat without direct exposure to a flame, typically in an oven.
367
questions
48
votes
10answers
222k views
How do you make a cake lift equally and minimize doming?
Some time ago, I baked a cake (Sachertorte to be exact).
The taste and texture was fine, so my recipe is okay.
My biggest issue was the shape. In the middle it was really a lot higher than on the ...
53
votes
2answers
119k views
Why can applesauce be used in place of oil?
In many recipes, mostly desserts, it is suggested that you can substitute oil with applesauce to reduce the fat content. But why applesauce?
Is there something special about applesauce or are there ...
24
votes
8answers
93k views
Why are there no recipes combining both yeast and baking powder?
I've never seen anything with both yeast and baking powder. What's the reason for that? Shouldn't e.g. muffins get even more fluffy by adding some yeast? Or bread by adding baking powder?
I know there ...
37
votes
3answers
19k views
What is the purpose of creaming butter with sugar in cookie recipes?
I got distracted while assembling the dry ingredients for a cookie recipe and added the sugars, which were supposed to be creamed with the butter first. Fortunately, the sugar was added last and I was ...
10
votes
3answers
30k views
What does an overnight chill do to cookie dough, that a 4 hour chill doesn't?
I have a high-fat cookie dough (see What ingredient changes will make this cookie dough more workable?) which wants to be chilled in the refrigerator overnight before shaping. I tried to cheat by ...
2
votes
3answers
15k views
Adjusting the baking time for large cakes?
How long should I bake a 13" (330 mm) sponge cake?
Which gas mark should I use?
59
votes
11answers
34k views
How can I get chewy chocolate chip cookies?
My chocolate chips cookies are always too crisp. How can I get chewy cookies, like those of Starbucks?
Thank you to everyone who has answered. So far the tip that had the biggest impact was to chill ...
23
votes
24answers
104k views
How do you raise your dough in cold seasons?
It is winter down here in Australia and I find it challenging to find a warm spot to raise my bread dough. What I have been doing is placing the dough in the oven (not switched on) with a pot of hot ...
11
votes
5answers
51k views
Gummy residue from baking spray/oil
I'm sure everyone's seen this - that brownish stuff left behind when you grease an area of a baking dish that gets left exposed to the heat. Soap doesn't bother it too much, and it likes to gum up my ...
14
votes
5answers
35k views
Over-stirring muffin mixtures
In muffin recipes, the instructions often say to stir the mixture till "just combined".
Why does over-stirring the muffin mixture result in tough muffins?
And how do you know if you did too much ...
18
votes
2answers
34k views
What does gluten “do” in baking?
I saw many questions regarding converting baking recipes towards gluten-free, and it seems it's not an easy process. But none of the questions I came across helped me understanding what gluten ...
10
votes
4answers
37k views
Choux pastry (Chocolate eclairs) doesn't rise
Last time I tried to make Chocolate eclairs (similar to cream puffs), the choux pastry just sat in the oven and basically fried.
It didn't rise/grow and so I couldn't hollow out the shells.
Any ...
13
votes
6answers
2k views
Cup measurements: shake or scrape?
When you are measuring out your flour, sugar, etc with the measuring cups, is it better to
scoop and then shake the cup to get a leveled cup, or
scoop and then use a knife to scrape off the excess.
...
4
votes
6answers
79k views
What is the best way to making a great pavlova base?
What is the best way to making a great pavlova base?
33
votes
7answers
15k views
What is the difference between various types of flour?
Is there a difference between the various types of flour that you see in the stores (i.e. Cake, Bread, and All-Purpose? Is it really necessary to stock 3 types of flour in my pantry or is this just a ...
20
votes
18answers
110k views
How do you make Yorkshire Puddings rise reliably?
Has anyone got a foolproof method for Yorkshire Puddings? With the recipe I have they never seem to rise properly.
16
votes
9answers
318k views
Difference between Maida and All purpose flour
I'm baking tonight and I'm out of All purpose flour. I'm lazy to run out to the grocery store. Can I replace All purpose flour with Maida (Maida is better known to Asian Indians - we use it for making ...
12
votes
2answers
12k views
Should you add some salt to flour when baking?
I was always taught to add a pinch of salt to flour when baking (mainly cakes / muffins and puddings).
I have recipes that specifically mention adding salt and others that don't.
Is there a ...
10
votes
10answers
325k views
Are there any substitutes for Shortening?
I was specifically thinking about the Crisco shortening that is used in baking.
9
votes
5answers
969 views
What are good references for Gluten free baking
I have several members of my family who are GF. Baking for them has become a real challenge. I'm looking for good references to learn to understand how to work with this limitation in my baking. What ...
18
votes
5answers
140k views
Substituting butter for oil: Does it matter for baked goods?
When a recipe (like for muffins) calls for vegetable oil, does it matter if I substitute the oil for butter because I want that buttery taste in the muffins?
Do I need to compensate for the ...
17
votes
4answers
32k views
What makes a chewy brownie?
I've tried many different brownie recipes and most of mine bake to a cake-like consistency. The brownie holy grail for me is crusty top chewy brownies. What can I add/remove/do that will make my ...
16
votes
17answers
31k views
Is it possible to bake a cake without an oven?
I don't have an oven; is there any way to simulate what an oven does with any other tools available at my home? In particular I would like to be able to bake cakes.
14
votes
4answers
4k views
What determines the shape-holding ability of cookies?
What things can you vary to make cookies hold their shape better during cooking, and not spread out like a pancake? From my experimenting, the initial temperature of the dough before cooking seems to ...
14
votes
8answers
178k views
Substitution for baking soda in pancakes
I attempted to make pancakes this morning, only to discover that I was out of baking soda. I tried substituting baking powder, but it didn't work at all. The pancakes didn't bubble on the griddle, and ...
10
votes
3answers
96k views
How to convert a recipe calling for active dry yeast into rapid rise yeast?
I have a recipe for rolls where the first stage calls for 2 packages active dry yeast, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 cup warm water to be mixed until the yeast is proofed, and then 1/4 cup cubed butter is ...
41
votes
3answers
170k views
Why use yeast instead of baking powder?
Both yeast and baking powder are used to gas-fill the pastry, make it expand and thus make it soft and fluffy.
Using yeast is rather inconvenient - it can be dead already or if the yeast is submerged ...
15
votes
3answers
46k views
What ensures big holes in my bread?
Is it a high hydration rate? Minimal kneading? High-protein flour to hold hydration?
29
votes
10answers
100k views
How warm must dough be in order to rise?
While making some focaccia this afternoon, my wife said, "sure the house is 'warm'; it'll be fine." One hour later, no rising. It may be worth noting that our house is 66F. So we stuck it in a warm ...
14
votes
13answers
796k views
Butter substitute for 1 cup of butter for baking
What can I substitute for 1 cup of butter in baking recipes (e.g. cookies, muffins, cakes, etc.)?
I'm looking for something that has less saturated fat (and also doesn't have trans fat).
Update: ...
6
votes
1answer
20k views
Why do my pizzas get such hard crusts?
I usually buy ready made pizza base and use it for baking pizzas. All of my pizzas get a very hard and crispy outer crust. Why so?
I thought of brushing some oil on the pizza base before I bake it but ...
38
votes
15answers
381k views
Does active dry yeast really expire?
I was cleaning out my spice cabinet and deep in the back I found two packages (e.g., six envelopes) of active dry Red Star yeast that expired in March 2009, 15 months ago as of writing this question.
...
5
votes
12answers
96k views
Baking cakes in the Microwave ovens as compared to Electric ovens
Is there a difference in the output or in the procedure when baking cakes in the Microwave ovens as compared to Electric ovens?
What are the basic and crucial differences found among cakes baked in ...
24
votes
6answers
127k views
When to use convection/fan bake vs bake
Are there any general rules to follow when choosing between bake and fan bake to cook something in the oven? What effect does each have and what are the advantages and disadvantages of both?
21
votes
4answers
209k views
What does it mean to “fold in” an ingredient into a mix?
I see this in baking recipes, but I've never been quite clear on the difference between mixing and "folding."
12
votes
2answers
24k views
How do I make a “baking powder” substitute in a pinch
Every once in while we run out of "Baking powder".
What would be a good receipt for a substitute that you have used that works well?
11
votes
5answers
13k views
Is it possible to make cookies without creaming the butter?
I love to make some cookies but have limited kitchen appliances. I don't want to cream the butter and sugar by hand -- I did that before and it was not fun!
Is it possible to make good cookies ...
9
votes
3answers
8k views
Can I successfully bake previously-frozen bread dough?
I prefer my bread freshly baked (who doesn't?), but my mixer prefers kneading two loaves at a time to just kneading one. I have tried to freeze the second loaf before baking it, but when I thaw it, it ...
7
votes
7answers
22k views
How do I get my chocolate chip cookies to turn out thick and soft?
How can I get my chocolate chip cookies to come out thick and soft? I always use real butter; is this a problem?
15
votes
6answers
39k views
How can I bake normally fried foods?
A lot of frozen, convenience foods are foods that are traditionally fried can be prepared by baking.
I'm thinking of, fish sticks, french fries, tator tots, jalapeño poppers, etc.
I'm lousy at deep ...
14
votes
10answers
43k views
Is there an alternative to cornstarch when used to thicken a pie filling
I made a some pies a couple of days ago. The recipe called for cornstarch and it thicken the filling after it came out of the oven. The only thing is I could taste a bit of the cornstarch when I was ...
9
votes
8answers
39k views
Egg replacer for bread dough?
I've been reading (most) questions and answers (here) about baking bread (which I love) and how to replace eggs in many recipes (which I wish I didn't need). Turns out, I too have egg allergy (not too ...
21
votes
9answers
74k views
Techniques to get a nice golden-brown crust on bread
How do I make sure the crust of a baguette, etc. turns out a nice golden-brown when baking?
26
votes
3answers
7k views
Is there any way to bring an egg to its natural state (not boiled) after you cook it?
This is probably a stupid question, but I'm curious now after I opened the refrigerator looking for eggs to make a cake and there was only one and it was cooked. Is there any way to undo that, whether ...
33
votes
7answers
13k views
Can one bake a cake with a cooked egg instead of a raw one?
This recent question about a person who wanted to bake a cake but only had a cooked egg left suggested me an even stupider one: is it possible to bake a cake with a cooked egg instead of a raw one? ...
10
votes
3answers
142k views
How does the number of eggs affect a cookie recipe?
If a chocolate chip cookie recipe calls for two eggs and I add three eggs, what will the effect be on my cookies?
Likewise if it calls for two eggs and I only put in one egg what will the effect be?
18
votes
4answers
63k views
Can/should I use baking soda when cooking beans?
My recipe for hummus says to cook the garbanzo beans with a little baking soda to soften them. Does this work with other legumes?
I've often seen the advice against salting the cooking water for ...
14
votes
9answers
34k views
How can I make macarons with “feet” in my oven at home?
I've tried many macaron recipes, and all have tasted very good. The problem is they always end up as a meringue, or looking like cookies. They usually don't have the "feet" that macarons are known ...
8
votes
5answers
17k views
Techniques for making sourdough starter in cold/altitude
I want to try my hand at making sourdough starter but live in high altitude and cold weather. I'm not sure if the altitude is an issue but I don't think my house is warm enough on its own to allow a ...
18
votes
4answers
17k views
Why is sugar a wet ingredient?
The last time I checked, most sugar is really dry (unless it's something like brown sugar). So why is it categorized as "wet"?
