
1. When baking anything, prep the pan before you prep the batter.
2. To make whipped cream extra fluffy, refrigerate your mixing bowl beforehand.
3. Making a layer cake? Flip the top layer upside-down to get a perfectly flat and even top — perfect for frosting application.

4. And when decorating, secure the cake with a spoonful of frosting at the bottom so it stays in place.
5. If you're using a cake stand, pre-line it with parchment — so it stays clean while you're frosting.
6. Amp up the flavor of chocolate baked goods by adding espresso powder to the batter.

7. Let your cookie dough "ripen" for at least 24 hours in the fridge before baking.

8. Make sure you're using the right size eggs for your recipe.

9. When a recipe calls for room temperature butter, actually use room temperature butter.
10. Invest in a kitchen scale...

11. ...and in an oven thermometer.

12. If you want to fully nail the look and texture of a cookie, take some time to learn (and geek out!) over the science behind it.

13. Use your hands — instead of egg shells — to separate the whites from the yolks.
14. If you're beating egg whites into stiff peaks, check if they're ready by flipping the bowl upside down.
