7 Fundamentals of Baking Everyone Should Know

One of the most enriching skills you can bring into your life is learning how to bake.

In fact, baking is something that everyone is capable of doing with the right techniques and kitchen essentials like a baking sheet.

Baking comes down to figuring out how to find that perfect balance of measuring ingredients, sourcing quality ingredients, setting temperatures to the correct level and timing the baking process correctly.  All of that must equally be balanced out by using high-quality cooking equipment.

Baking in short is a specific method that combines dry heat in an enclosed space – such as your oven. You can bake a range of recipes, from vegetables to cookies and even fish. The result of baking will mean that you get to enjoy food that is browned on the exterior and soft on the interior.

The beauty of baking is that you do not have to be a culinary expert to achieve exceptional baking results. In fact, we have gathered the top tips and things to know that will help you master the fundamentals of baking.

1. Learn the Different Methods of Baking

While most baking takes place in an oven, it is actually not the only type of baking you can do. Another type of baking that is commonly used is steam baking, where you trap a small portion of water in a pan, cover it with a lid, and bake your dough within. This process is very common for making things like cakes or crumpets.

Other types of baking include using a hot stone, hot ash or even on the grill. The type of baking you do will ultimately be determined by the recipe you are after and the kitchen items you have on resource to you.

2. A Quality Baking Sheet is the Key

Did you know that of all the kitchen essentials you can invest in, a baking sheet is one of the most important items you can get? A baking sheet is also commonly referred to as a sheet pan and can be used for a variety of tasks.

In fact, Martha Steward referred to the baking sheet as one of the handiest kitchen items you can have. The design is simple, the sizes are versatile and the range of food you can bake is pretty much endless.

When it comes to getting the perfect baking sheet for you, make sure to invest in one that is made with quality material and is also sized to fit your oven at home.

3. Get Other Essential Kitchen Items Too

Baking is a science, so you want the right measurement tools to ensure you are following recipes as they were designed. Getting a kitchen scale will help you measure ingredients in a precise way that helps ensure the food is ultimately baking in balance with the temperature of the oven.

Another kitchen item you should invest in is an oven thermometer, which can tell you what the interior food temperature is while in the oven. This tool can help you make any last-minute adjustments to the baking to ensure that the end result is that desired combination of crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

4. Stock Up on the Core Ingredients

While all recipes vary for baking, there are usually some staple ingredients that you will always want to have on hand from your pantry. This includes ingredients like flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, yeast, vanilla extract, chocolate chips, spices like cinnamon and ginger, dried fruits like raisins and apricots, honey and oats.

5. Be Scientific in Your Approach

Baking is a fine science. Essentially, the recipes you follow are really a scientific formula. So the measurements, instructions and ingredients should really be followed as precisely as possible for the best overall result.

If you under or over-measure an ingredient, the result could end up varying drastically. In addition, if you skip an ingredient altogether, the recipe could end up not working at all! So make sure you read the recipe upfront before you actually begin baking. In fact, you should study the recipe first before you do anything else.

6. Mix and Cut Correctly

How you prep the ingredients is another fundamental component of becoming a great baker. Not only do you need to distribute the ingredients in accordance to the recipe, but also use the right techniques to mix. Mastering the right mixing technique will ensure that the heat in the oven does what you need it to so you get the end result you’re after.

7. Don’t Mistake Baking Powder for Baking Soda

This is one of the most common mishaps in baking. Baking soda and powder are two very different leavening agents, so ensure you use the right one that the recipe calls for.